Perceived shortcomings on the iPad
I sent a modified version of this to Chris Pirillo's site, still waiting to be accepted. Chris thinks people may be jumping the gun on perceived shortcomings. He's right on one point -- making judgement on something you haven't touched yet before isn't fair. But I do think it is fair for all of us to think about what kinds of things we want on a tablet and deciding if the iPad meets those needs.
So here are items he raised as things we should perhaps look past, and mostly I disagree with for my use:
1) Lack of Flash capability -- Does Flash suck (slow, resource hog)? Yes. Do most games and video-sharing sites use Flash as a standard? Yes they do. The fact Apple omits it is because it is in Apple's best interest to do so, not us the consumers. Netbooks can handle Flash fine.
2) No USB port/It isn't a netbook -- No, it isn't a netbook, but Jobs himself put it in the same space (between a computer and a phone). It also doesn't have HDMI-out. I can see many reasons I'd want to connect an iPad to a TV, the iPad that has all my pictures and videos?
3) AT&T/3G -- I was impressed with the unlimited price personally. Would I like to see another carrier? Sure, but if I can use it with a MiFi that's probably a better deal anyway.
4) Oversized iPod Touch -- For people that wanted a real OS, this matters. For the rest it shouldn't.
5) $499 price -- I don't know many complaining about this part and they shouldn't. As Apple products go this is a very reasonable price point.
6) Not a tablet -- Well I don't get anyone saying that. It's bigger than a phone with no keyboard. If that isn't a tablet then I don't know what a tablet is.
7) Still no multi-tasking -- This is a religious war. That said, Apple seems to be the only company that isn't giving this feature in 2010. (I'd still like to have a better way of managing background apps on Android though.)
8) Still no background apps -- You may not find it useful, but as a happy DROID user (and previous iPhone user) I think it is short-sighted to not understand that someone might want it.
9) Too much bezel -- A friend gave me the best answer on this. Why not have apps take less space (software bezel) and allow full-screen mode for apps and videos that use the whole screen? It would seem the bezel issue is due to where your hands on and a smarter design could have worked.
10) iPad name -- No debate here. The name stinks. Of everything I am amazed Steve the marketing genius would sign off on that one.
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