Apple's iPad: Thoughts on the actual product (Part 1 of 2)
The iPad is an amazing device. It put something in the gap between media players and laptops, adding excitement to a niche market that has struggled for years. From the styling to the silicon, Apple's new tablet device should make quite a splash. It may lack the iPhone's camera, but the high resolution IPS display, speedy processor, and specially modified OS have potential.
As with the iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad's front is mostly consumed by the 9.7" IPS display featuring a 1024x768 resolution, separated from the edges by a modest bezel. The screen, as expected, is capacitive multi-touch which will serve as the primary input device. Under the hood is a custom Apple A4 system-on-a-chip running at 1GHz. Six configurations will be available this Spring in three capacities, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, in both WiFi-only and 3G equipped devices, the latter shipping April, one month after the WiFi models hit retail. There is no subsidy available provided through the data carrier, again AT&T, but all data services are pre-paid, meaning contract-free for either of the two plans ($14.99 for 250GB, $29.99 for unlimited).
The impressions of the initial hardware were highly positive, commenting that the new silicon makes the retooled iPhone OS and its many transitions and pop-ups smooth and speedy. The usage of the existing interface means it should be familiar to other Apple handheld users and fairly easy to learn. It is already built for touch interaction, something Windows has never been, and makes pretty good use of gesture control. Aside from a little more space between icons, a reflective surface of the Dock, and the Home screen adjusting orientation, nothing new is added to the core OS. Core apps, on the other hand, have been redesigned to make use of the larger screen and extra processing power to more closely resemble a desktop experience. Mobile Safari now has a navigation bar at the top, the iPod interface uses the iTunes aesthetic for browsing your library and playback of media (now supports up to 720p), [Google] Maps has been optimized for faster, sleeker performance, although the WiFi-only version lacks the A-GPS needed to benefit on the road. Joining them is the new iBook app and the accompanying iBook store. Full color pages, portrait and landscape support, swipe to change pages (a la the Kindle app), and a bookshelf interface to browse available ePub books puts it in a position to challenge established eReaders and online retailers of their digital content. As listed, the price is a little higher on the iPad, potentially due to the inclusion of full color illustrations and possible reformatting, but at least some titles should be competitive in price. If nothing else, the iPad’s multi-function utility should make up for its lack of e-Ink display and elevated price.
Other than the core apps and iBooks, the existing iPhone apps (less the ones that require a camera) should work with the iPad at launch. The iPad can run current apps scaled down 1:1 on its screen or expand them to full screen with a press of the “2x” icon at runtime. Additionally, the new SDK allows for apps to be crafted specifically for the iPad to make use of its higher resolution display and improved graphical power. A couple of the iPad-tailored titles demoed ran well, looked pretty (compared to the iPhone 3GS), and one used extra screen real estate to allow moving the virtual control sections. The New York Times debuted at app that, in addition to a new front-end for easier navigation, allowed for in-place video playback of embedded content. Flash is still not supported, so unless similar apps come out or HTML5 usage expands, don’t expect similar from websites. But those liking the pinch-to-zoom and scrolling mechanics of the mobile Safari browser will be happy to find those features still present even on the full-sized iteration. It is still on the developers to make use of the hardware, but time will be the judge of that.
In order to increase utility of the iPad further, Apple has ported Pages, Numbers, and Keynote from iWork, available at launch for $9.99 each. All three bring the same functions that the desktop counterparts have (though exporting them is still an unknown) and incorporate touch controls to supplement the on-screen keyboard, largely carried over from the iPhone. The combination of predictive text entry and auto-correction has made the iPhone keyboard the basis of comparison for those on mobile phones. It was more than enough for the limited usage needed on a phone, but for a tablet-sized device, more was needed. In addition to support for Bluetooth keyboards, Apple is releasing two docks, one of which has a standard Apple keyboard attached. It does take away from the grab-and-go usability some, though, so the touch keyboard will likely be the most used text entry method. Luckily, in landscape mode, the keyboard is roughly the same size as one on a netbook.
The biggest selling factor of the iPad is the logo on in the rear casing. Apple’s devices have a drawing power like few others and will certainly sell like hotcakes. In addition to building a user-base, this generates an interest in the market for competitors. There are already a few tablet devices gearing up for release this year that can provide attractive alternatives. The bitter divide between Apple users and everyone else will keep enough potential buyers waiting for a Windows, Android, or some other tablet and spur competition that will accelerate the growth of critical technologies currently lacking in the sector. But Apple has the hype on their side, the reputation garnered from their current mobile product lines, and a small army of loyal supporters willing to buy their next big thing. For the rest of those who buy iPads, there is a lot to like and a number of areas asking for improvement.
Be sure to check out Part 2 for extended commentary.
As with the iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad's front is mostly consumed by the 9.7" IPS display featuring a 1024x768 resolution, separated from the edges by a modest bezel. The screen, as expected, is capacitive multi-touch which will serve as the primary input device. Under the hood is a custom Apple A4 system-on-a-chip running at 1GHz. Six configurations will be available this Spring in three capacities, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, in both WiFi-only and 3G equipped devices, the latter shipping April, one month after the WiFi models hit retail. There is no subsidy available provided through the data carrier, again AT&T, but all data services are pre-paid, meaning contract-free for either of the two plans ($14.99 for 250GB, $29.99 for unlimited).
The impressions of the initial hardware were highly positive, commenting that the new silicon makes the retooled iPhone OS and its many transitions and pop-ups smooth and speedy. The usage of the existing interface means it should be familiar to other Apple handheld users and fairly easy to learn. It is already built for touch interaction, something Windows has never been, and makes pretty good use of gesture control. Aside from a little more space between icons, a reflective surface of the Dock, and the Home screen adjusting orientation, nothing new is added to the core OS. Core apps, on the other hand, have been redesigned to make use of the larger screen and extra processing power to more closely resemble a desktop experience. Mobile Safari now has a navigation bar at the top, the iPod interface uses the iTunes aesthetic for browsing your library and playback of media (now supports up to 720p), [Google] Maps has been optimized for faster, sleeker performance, although the WiFi-only version lacks the A-GPS needed to benefit on the road. Joining them is the new iBook app and the accompanying iBook store. Full color pages, portrait and landscape support, swipe to change pages (a la the Kindle app), and a bookshelf interface to browse available ePub books puts it in a position to challenge established eReaders and online retailers of their digital content. As listed, the price is a little higher on the iPad, potentially due to the inclusion of full color illustrations and possible reformatting, but at least some titles should be competitive in price. If nothing else, the iPad’s multi-function utility should make up for its lack of e-Ink display and elevated price.
Other than the core apps and iBooks, the existing iPhone apps (less the ones that require a camera) should work with the iPad at launch. The iPad can run current apps scaled down 1:1 on its screen or expand them to full screen with a press of the “2x” icon at runtime. Additionally, the new SDK allows for apps to be crafted specifically for the iPad to make use of its higher resolution display and improved graphical power. A couple of the iPad-tailored titles demoed ran well, looked pretty (compared to the iPhone 3GS), and one used extra screen real estate to allow moving the virtual control sections. The New York Times debuted at app that, in addition to a new front-end for easier navigation, allowed for in-place video playback of embedded content. Flash is still not supported, so unless similar apps come out or HTML5 usage expands, don’t expect similar from websites. But those liking the pinch-to-zoom and scrolling mechanics of the mobile Safari browser will be happy to find those features still present even on the full-sized iteration. It is still on the developers to make use of the hardware, but time will be the judge of that.
In order to increase utility of the iPad further, Apple has ported Pages, Numbers, and Keynote from iWork, available at launch for $9.99 each. All three bring the same functions that the desktop counterparts have (though exporting them is still an unknown) and incorporate touch controls to supplement the on-screen keyboard, largely carried over from the iPhone. The combination of predictive text entry and auto-correction has made the iPhone keyboard the basis of comparison for those on mobile phones. It was more than enough for the limited usage needed on a phone, but for a tablet-sized device, more was needed. In addition to support for Bluetooth keyboards, Apple is releasing two docks, one of which has a standard Apple keyboard attached. It does take away from the grab-and-go usability some, though, so the touch keyboard will likely be the most used text entry method. Luckily, in landscape mode, the keyboard is roughly the same size as one on a netbook.
The biggest selling factor of the iPad is the logo on in the rear casing. Apple’s devices have a drawing power like few others and will certainly sell like hotcakes. In addition to building a user-base, this generates an interest in the market for competitors. There are already a few tablet devices gearing up for release this year that can provide attractive alternatives. The bitter divide between Apple users and everyone else will keep enough potential buyers waiting for a Windows, Android, or some other tablet and spur competition that will accelerate the growth of critical technologies currently lacking in the sector. But Apple has the hype on their side, the reputation garnered from their current mobile product lines, and a small army of loyal supporters willing to buy their next big thing. For the rest of those who buy iPads, there is a lot to like and a number of areas asking for improvement.
Be sure to check out Part 2 for extended commentary.