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So far, we’ve been avoiding all of the iPad chatter here at 40Tech, choosing not to get involved in the sweeping web-wide hype that it’s generated. Admittedly, some of that avoidance is fuelled by the fact that we don’t own a single iPad between us – but we hear good things. Personally, the slowly withering anti-Apple in me is inclined to wait until version two of the iPad is released, hoping for an even better experience (and a self-facing camera for video chats), but this new piece of tech/giant iPod Touch (or iPhone) has taken the worlds of techies and reg’lar folk by storm. I know this because both my mother and my wife (mother of my child) have expressed an interest in getting one. So this begs the question: Did you get your mom an iPad for Mother’s Day?
I didn’t – but I’m Canadian, and Apple isn’t doling out our iPad stock until the end of this month. I think, however, that if I had the opportunity and excess $499-$829 (plus tax, of course) kicking about, I would probably have gotten an iPad for at least one of them – or maybe for the household, yes? The iPad has several features that draw the attention of the women in my life, not the least of which being that its apparent ease of use is literally second to none. As with the iPhone, the iPad does exactly what it is designed to do exceedingly well. What most naysayers neglect when discussing the tech is that the iPad is not meant to be a laptop replacement, at least in the “full scope” sense. It isn’t a computer. It’s basically a means to easily browse the web and quickly gather specific information – as well as play some lightweight games and engage in other entertainments.
A Practical Example of iPad Use by Mom’s – or Anyone
My wife loves to cook. She has a full keyboard laptop with a 17-inch screen, and when she is looking for a new recipe, she needs to haul out this monster, open it up, and wait; wait while it loads the OS, wait while the browser opens, etc. She then has to find her recipe and bring the thing out into the kitchen with her, clearing some counter-space so it will fit. We try to be environmentally conscious, so she avoids printing the recipes – and there’s no interactivity in paper anyway. In any case, her life would be much improved if she could simply pull out the iPad, press a couple of buttons (one hardware and maybe one or two on-screen), and then quickly find her recipe in an app like Epicurious, her Springpad app, or even on the web via Safari. The experience should involve nothing other than exactly what she is wanting to do, from start to finish, and wait times should be only a few seconds or less. I know this is possible, because it can be done on the iPhone.
Once the recipe is up, she can lean, mount or place the iPad (which is pretty much just the screen of the previous method) on the counter, easily interact with it by touch, put on a good tune, or even switch to a show she likes (yes, she could do these last couple things on a laptop too, but I’m going for flow and ease of interaction here – and no crazy-loud fans or hard drives, either). The whole set up and application of the iPad is (like the iPhone) easily described in a single word: slick. From everything I have seen or read, the thing is so hi-tech it’s low tech, if that makes sense – and that makes the iPad extremely appealing to people who want to get to the point of what they are doing without having to mess about, tweak or tinker. No hoops, just go.
I didn’t intend for this article to be a sales pitch for another Apple product. I still think the company is a bit too restrictive, with (at times) odd motivations – but they do what they do well, and the more I think about it, the more positive I am that my house will, at the very least, sport at least one iPad in the next year. Of course if one of the tablet competitors comes out with something equally as well realized, I may swing their way, but I don’t know how likely that is, to be honest. I am left with the distinct impression that the upcoming tablets had to be rethought to compete with the iPad — especially in the realm of price. Apple really set the affordability bar there, which is something the company is not generally known for.
So, how about it? Did you get your mom, wife or self an iPad for Mother’s Day? Planning to get one in the near future? Why or why not?
Evan Kline says:
I think you hit the nail on the head with the cooking example. I think there are many uses like that, that will give the iPad a broad appeal.
As a matter of fact, I can think of a few such uses myself. Despite my gripes about how the App Store works, I’d love an iPad myself. It’s a matter of weighing the drawbacks (closed ecosystem) against the benefits. Unlike the iPhone, I think the iPad is pretty unique right now.
May 10, 2010 — 1:13 pm
Bobby Travis says:
Absolutely — I still have my issues with the closed ecosystem aspects, but the thing -has- already been jailbroken, so there are options, at least.
I am interested to see what the potential competition comes up with.
May 10, 2010 — 5:29 pm
dave says:
As opposed to opening a recipe book? Im not so sure. Unfortunately the ipad in here the Uk will cost way more than what US citizens pay.
Heres a quote from Skynews:
“Britons will pay upwards of £429 for the tablet computer when it becomes available on May 28, Apple has confirmed.
Prices for the top-of-the-range model of the slim, lightweight, touch-screen iPad – which can browse the web, play videos, send emails and read e-books – will reach £699.
Apple has already sold more than one million iPads in the US, where prices are significantly lower.
The basic version sells for $499 (£337) and the top-of-the-range model is priced at $829 (£561).”
So I wont be getting one :(
May 10, 2010 — 2:58 pm
Bobby Travis says:
I hear you Dave. Curious question though — doesn’t that actually mean people in Britain will actually be getting the iPad cheaper than people everywhere else? I’m not sure comparing it to the exchange rate is the best way to look at it. I mean, if the iPad was created in Britain, whose dollar is so much stronger than the US, it would be incorrect (and suicide) for the sellers to sell what is 429 pounds for $645.00 or whatever the exchange difference is. Yes it is cheaper in the US and Canada if you look to the exchange, but to you, unless foreign tech is usually based on the exchanged cost from the country of origin, isn’t 429 pounds the same hit to your wallet as $429 is to mine?
And I will have to pay $499 as a minimum.
May 10, 2010 — 5:44 pm
Evan Kline says:
Owww, now you’re going to make my head explode.
May 10, 2010 — 8:15 pm
Dave says:
hi Bobby, here in the UK we always pay well over the odds for cars, tech, TVs etc. You would be horrified at the prices tbh.
Unfortunately, the UK is known as “Ripp Off Britain” and importing it only incurs a 17.5% tax once anything costs over £18 English pounds meaning you still loose.
Would love one tho but cant see me ever getting one as Apple products are known to over priced as is never mind what the government adds on.
Still I’m interested in any articles you guys write on the subject.
May 11, 2010 — 8:51 am
Bobby Travis says:
That’s a damn shame, Dave. Apple is generally ridiculously expensive over here, as well. The iPad is a surprising departure, really — not that it is cheap or anything, but it could have been nearer $1000 for the base model if they had wanted it to be (that would have interfered with their plans for mass adoption and therefore domination, however).
Hopefully they will head downward in price for everyone as version two comes out. Who knows? Maybe a few smart devs will be able to port the OS to one of the tablet competitors when they have been about a bit, as well.
May 11, 2010 — 3:56 pm
Sherri says:
I bought THE 32 WIFI 3GS ($729.00) and found that I could not even access my own website. I returned it within 1 business day and was charged a 10% restocking fee.($72.00) . I THEN HAD TO CANCEL THE $29.00 A MONTH AT&T WIRELESS DATA SERVICE, THEN THE PRO PLAN, 99.00, THEN THE MOBILE ME 99.00). IT WAS LIKE HAVING A VIRUS.
Somehow I missed the big sign that said LIMITED INTERNET ACCESS and YOU CANNOT DOWNLOAD MOZILLA FIREFOX OR INTERNET EXPLORER AS YOU CAN ON ALL OTHER MACS BECAUSE APPLE IS UPSET WITH ADOBE?
THIS IS JUST A GLORIFIED IPOD! AN EXPENSIVE ONE AT THAT! Worse yet I put it on my Barclays (Apple Account) and they said that they couldn’t do anything because I got what I ordered- quote unquote.
I am about to cancel my IPHONE service (125.00) CANCELLATION FEE AFTER 3.5 YEARS and I will never have a new Apple product in my house again.
BOTTOM LINE- APPLE DOESN’T CARE! THEY CONTROL THE MARKET AND NOW THEY CAN CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT SEE ON THE INTERNET.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
May 17, 2010 — 4:15 pm
Bobby Travis says:
Wow. Safe to say that was a bad experience, all around. Sorry to hear that, Sherri! Perhaps the fault lies in Apple’s marketing? For not properly conveying to people that the iPad is, in fact, -not- a computer, but somewhere between a full fledged computer and an iPad/iPhone? Most people who are not in the tech world may not know that the iPad doesn’t support Flash and the like… so maybe they should up the messaging to make the average user (their target) as easily aware as the more analytical techies out there.
May 17, 2010 — 6:13 pm
Sherri says:
I saw an IPAD commercial on TV last night that said “every website in the world is at your fingertips”. How do they get away with that?
May 18, 2010 — 8:18 am
Bobby Travis says:
Ouch. That could (and should) be considered false advertising. It’s likely just vague enough to pass the legality test though. *shakes head at Apple*
May 19, 2010 — 3:34 am
Evan Kline says:
Maybe it should have said, “every website in the world, as long as you don’t mind a big blue diamond in the middle of a lot of them.”
May 19, 2010 — 7:16 am
Evan Kline says:
Sherri, I think you hit the nail on the head as far as the dilemma facing many of us. Do we suck up our extreme distaste for Apple’s “my way or the highway” way of doing things, or get a snazzy device. With the iPhone, there is competition out there, and if I weren’t locked into one as my work phone, I’d be looking hard at other options. It doesn’t seem like there are alternatives to the iPad- yet. That day will come, though, and that’s when Apple may pay the price for how it does things.
May 17, 2010 — 6:14 pm
Jourdan says:
The iPad really is a great tool for Moms – and all other users – alike! Lightweight, convenient size, plethora of apps and capabilities… I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
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July 12, 2010 — 1:12 pm