My 1st Week with the iPad

I’m a Geek.

Not a real Geek, I mean I prefer GUI’s to Command Lines, and I haven’t successfully completed a complete Linux install. But I do have a Masters Degree in Systems & Networking, and started out life programming in COBOL. I do love getting technology to work, to implement things, fix the broken.

It would be fair to say that I don’t fit into Steve Job’s target demographic.

An Oversized iPhone?

All the commentary about the iPhone I’ve heard or read thus far has come either from the Apple Marketing machine, or technologists. Much like me. Comments deriding the lack of multi-tasking, external connectors, or a replaceable battery.

And I’m not so hypocritical as to deny that I made those same criticisms in my “Requiem for a Humble Netbook” post. It seems that to those who delight in gadgets, and getting tech to work, features are important. But those features it turns out are not necessary for the non-technical.

Even my Mac Fanboi friends and colleagues have commented, “I think I’ll wait for version 2, just look at the iPhone” (which is the first time I’ve heard that about Apple & not Microsoft) or “It’s just an oversized iPhone, without the phone.”

Everyone has an opinion about the iPad being a great “consuming” device, but not great for “creating.” And let’s be honest, you can consume content on a Smartphone, and do both on a Netbook.

Consuming…

The point is, however, that the size is what makes the iPad such a great device. i.e. the screen size is awesome, and the thin, light footprint set’s it apart. Whilst you can read books on the iPhone, or look at photos/videos, presentation slides – it’s just not a great experience.

My experience over the last 7 days has been of a fantastic email experience; web browsing the same, and with GoodReader, there isn’t an Office or Adobe document that doesn’t render perfectly.

I’ve used the iPad for my music when leading worship, which beats paper or a laptop. For email, Twitter, & Facebook. For note taking with Evernote, which syncs my notes with all of my other computers & my phone. In fact with the Audio recording function, it’s easy to grab an interview which you can then listen to again at your leisure.

Of course it excels as an e-Reader. Especially with the Kindle software. I don’t care what people say, reading your phone is not the same as reading a full screen device. There’s a reason, that after all these years, magazines, newspapers and books are the size they are.

Creating…

But can you actually create content? Well, yes, as it turns out.

Last week I was presenting at the Sydney Mobile Usergroup, and I put together my entire presentation on the iPad, whilst on the bus on the way into the city. That included animation builds, transitions, sourcing and positioning images. All this on the iPad version of Keynote, which retails for $13… …yep, you read right. $13.

No, it won’t replace PowerPoint any time soon. But be honest, how many of the features that PowerPoint provides do you use? I thought so – transitions, a couple of builds, a table or a chart. You can do all that and more, using an intuitive interface, on the iPad.

Innovating

Quite apart from creating presentations (not to mention blog posts, emails, spreadsheets and documents) I discovered a totally new use…

On Friday I took Miss12 out for a treat to the T2 Tea House in the Macquarie Centre. We sat and chatted, and played a game of Scrabble on the iPad. Which let’s face it, is something you’d be hard pressed to do with the actual board game.

Beware

There are two things to watch out for with this Siren of the technology world.

1. Sticker shock – not so much for data, but then I didn’t buy a 3G integrated device, which means I need to phsyically connect to a WiFi hotspot before being online. But apps are more expensive, and you buy a lot of them. If you have a 3G device, I could easily see that adding to very unpleasant bills.
2. “Shiny” Distraction – It’s a very hard device to put down. Just so easy to pass around the loungeroom playing Scrabble, to pick up in the kitchen and cook something, or pop next to your bed for evening reading and morning news.

Conclusion

Well there’s a reason 2m have been sold in 60 days. This is an extremely empowering device. Will you find a use for it? Guaranteed. There are books, magazines, newspapers, Facebook, and email that this would just liberate for you instantly.

Your photo albums? Sorted.

If like me though, you often have to go from meeting to meeting, taking notes or presenting, perhaps with a commute into the city, or an Interstate flight, this will easily replace your laptop for the day. You won’t need to take a charger with you, you won’t get a crook back from an overloaded shoulder.

My only advice is:

“Don’t comment until you have actually tried to use one. Don’t praise, don’t criticise, juts keep quiet about it until you experience it for real. And I mean more than play for 15 mins with someone else’s – try one for a week;”

“Don’t accept one for free. It’s not until you’ve invested that you really start finding innovative uses for the devices.

How About You?

Would you consider an iPad?

If not, is it because of:

• Expense 
• Not enough features
• Not the right features
• Tired of Apple, and what it’s coming to be known as

Tagged as: iPad, Mobile Technology