The time has come

[kerign]

Just half a day ago, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed their latest product, dubbed the iPad.

Ending months (perhaps even years) of speculation, it turns out to be effectively a larger iPod Touch, with a few additional tools and a much larger screen. Web-browsing, mail, photos, video, music, and an e-book store, all on an easily portable 1.5 pound (about 700grams) device.

Basic specs taken from BBC...

9.7 inch- (25cm-) multi-touch display
1 GHz Apple processor
16-64 GB of flash memory
0.5in- (1.25cm) thick
Weighs 1.5lbs (0.7kgs)
Wi-fi, bluetooth and 3G connectivity
Speaker, microphone
Accelerometer, compass

Pros:

• Those specs in that size. I've been holding off on a netbook because it seems ridiculous to buy a smaller computer just for travelling. Might as well get an iPhone or Blackberry. However, especially in Japan, that's pretty moot anyway because it's so easy to get internet access on any phone - except if you're using it for work, or if you're addicted to games. At present, I fall under neither category. But that's a whole other debate that I'll have to make for myself in coming years. Back to the point, this device satisfies everything I currently want for a 'netbook'.
• up to 10 hours of battery life (usb to computer AND power adaptor chargers included).

Cons:

• The e-book application seems to be limited to the ePUB open source standard. At present, it is great for text-centric books, but apparently not for comics and other books that require a precise layout.
• Possible eye-strain from the LED screen if using it as an e-reader. You simply can't read for hours and hours like you would with a physical book (taking short breaks, of course), or with e-ink technology.
• No flash or shockwave could be detrimental for browsing experience. Flash apparently causes many crashes on Apple systems...unfortunately, the HTML5 and CCS 3 transition is still at the beginning...
• No multitasking, apparently, which translates to no listening to music while reading!
• 3rd-party applications only available through the iTunes store. Does that mean I won't be able to get MPlayer OSX onto it? If I'll only be able to play media through iTunes, it might be troublesome (e.g. I'm not sure if I can get iTunes to play just one audio track if my file has 2/more of them!)

Whatever:

• iPad might be easier to say...but it doesn't quite have the 'coolness' of iSlate...
• er...operating temperature range of 0-35 degrees Celsius...can be difficult in some parts of the world! The humidity one (0-95% non-condensing) is even more worrying for Okinawa.
• And we're not meant to use it above 10,000 feet (hm...most planes don't fly that high, right?)

hm...I hadn't realised that they'd switched the Macbook back to polycarbonate...to be honest, I'm glad I bought the sleek aluminium one!

In summary, I'm still not sold on this. Whilst a netbook type device would be very convenient for traveling, Apple's iPad still hasn't convinced me to buy one. I'm guessing that this might be up to what 3rd-party developers come up with. In any case, I still have a 6 month grace period to think about it...

p.s. if it's possible to connect to the internet via LAN as well, I might reconsider...but it doesn't look possible atm...

p.p.s. looks like Sony's new Daily Edition is another step up for e-readers. It has the handwriting (stylus) and virtual onscreen keyboard I wanted. It's also compatible with some image files liek JPEG and GIF. Still no colour though... The IREX Digital Reader also looks promising.

p.p.p.s. For future reference, a comparison chart.