January 27, 2010
iPad: Way to go Apple!
OK...
It's NOT a netbook.
It is NOT a Kindle.
It is NOT a phone.
It is NOT a gaming console.
Look, I'm not a fanboy, but Apple has managed to put a lot of things into this product that many gadgetfans have been talking about for years. Don't like it? Go start yourself a company that can do it better. Seriously. Our expectations of a first generation tablet are very high and despite the chatter, almost every person in my office says they would order one today if it was already available for sale.
So think carefully your measure of success, people. I am confident that because Apple has managed to put themselves firmly in the faces of a number of businesses who were hoping they would not have to compete with Apple, the market will heat up because of it. CrunchPad? Courier? All of these things must now become more than vaporware to get into the market soon to allow their companies not to play catch up.
So, if the ranting about not having a bigger screen, faster processor, smaller bezel, connection ports, blah blah blah is all you had to do today, congrats. For those who said that next year everyone will be typing on a tablet, you're probably right. Will everyone be using the iPad? probably not, but such is life, and Apple knows it. But they're taking a "first-in" approach and I'm glad that they've put their software, hardware, and materials engineering prowess into this product.
Go ahead, tell Jonathan Ives that you hate his bezel. He's listening, but he's already moved on to improve it. If you can do better, I'll gladly look at your product too and weigh it against the strengths and weaknesses of other products. All things considered, it's a well-conceived product with a lot of great features at a reasonable price and a LOT of your friends will buy one, even if you don't.
Room for improvement? Definitely. The iPod and the iPhone are evolving, too, just like our televisions, automobiles, and a host of other technologies.
The best part of this first chapter in the iPad story? People will be talking about this product for months and months and months.
I, for one, am eager to get an iPad, and I've never bought a 1st generation Apple product.
Way to go, Apple. Way to go!