27 January, 2010

ipad. Before and after the launch.



So, Apple are unveiling their new product line today. I will put my cards on the table here and admit, I really, really really want it to be a games console. Of course, it won’t be. Not a serious one at least. There is however, heavy speculation that it is a touch screen device. iPad, iSlate, iTablet... Let’s all be honest, as cool as a touch screen computer is (sorry, mac) you can’t help but feel it is after all, an over enlarged iphone. What bothers me the most is that if it is a true “computer” in that you can browse the net, type documents, download porn et al… how you will actually use the thing? Will you lay it flat and mash the screen with both hands? Surely the device will be too unwieldy to use with one hand like the iphone?

I’m not sold. Personally, as cool as it will be (and it will be cool, that’s a given) I just don’t see it selling that well. Why would someone shift from using a laptop, which works fine for all of the aforementioned tasks, to something that might have functionality issues for even the most basic of tasks.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Apple products and am a recent convert. I also love the iphone for its intuitive interface and sheer sexiness, but this… just has me worried. Sure, touch screen technology works, but is it time to implement into a device that is technologically more superior compared to a mobile phone?
Perhaps I’m missing the point. Perhaps it has a handy stand that pops out of the back,, maybe its something totally different. Time will tell, they could have us all duped and just release some new imac and ipod models.

Either way, we will know tonight. I might just write a post about it.

UPDATE:

Looks kinda underwhelming. After watching the release live on gizmodo and hitting refresh every 30 seconds, I was initially intrigued. It is certainly smaller than I thought it would be, the black bezel round the screen is a little thick. Obviously in place so clumsy thumbs holding it don’t accidentally press the screen, but it does ruin the overall aesthetic. Its main purpose is to bridge the gap between a laptop and a mobile. An interesting replacement for a netbook then? Well no.

Yes, it has an accelerometer which will no doubt be used for numerous pointless applications and casual games. It has the option to be used for typing (you can even buy a keyboard and 80s looking case to fit the device) and of course you can use it to browse the internet and play music and movies. The battery life is impressive, allegedly it can play video for 10 hours straight. Great for long journeys or night shifts. It is fairly cheap for such a visually pleasing and no doubt tactile and impressive device, around $499 for the basic model, which equates to £311 in real money. Shame Apple will no doubt bump the price to £499 on British release.

If I am honest here, the purpose of the device is complete moot once you look into it further. A £200 netbook can do all the ipad can and more. Thing is, the ipad is completely incapable of multitasking. Having the device play music while you browse the internet for websites is a no no, and if you want flash, tough shit. This is a massive catastrophic blow to the device and another nail in the coffin. Sadly it gets worse. No doubt apple have thought about the multitasking issue and will release a multi tasking model in a years time and charge an extra $100 for it. Also, and this is my other main bugbear, you can ONLY put software on the device that can be bought from the apple app store. Meaning that if you want to try and run Photoshop on the device, its more or less tough tits. Imagine how amazing this could be, being able to control music software like Ableton using the touch screen interface.

As technologically impressive this device is, it has massive practical shortcomings. Cynically you could say that they have been made deliberate for Apple to cash in further (only being able to run apps from the store, the need to upgrade for multitasking, extra add on’s such as keyboard et al). I am a total Apple advocate but this is a step too far. A completely unnecessary, expensive and underwhelming piece of kit, as the nerds would say; Epic Fail.

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