At Work On a Mac

When the iPad first came out in April, I was really excited because to me it felt like the fabled tablet-computing revolution might finally start. It’s been a long time, after all Microsoft has been producing a tablet ready version of Windows for 10 years and companies like HP have been making tablets for just as long. When the iPad came out, the big question was wether or not it was “good enough” to replace the desktop.

So is the iPad the new desktop? Well, no. What’s important to understand here is that the current iPad is just the first version of a product that will get both better and cheaper over the next few years. It’s also the first product of a renewed attention to the tablet market.

The iPad is not perfect, but what I can say is that it as totally replaced my MacBook pro for browsing, Facebook, Twitter, RSS and many other reading activities. The upcoming iOS 4.2 for iPad will bring a lot of the stuff that’s missing on iPad like printing, folders, unified inbox and many other stuff. Combined with the support for Bluetooth keyboards that 3.2 brought us, it makes the iPad a very cool device for people mostly consuming data on their computer. As a developer, I obviously need my desktop, but my mom has been using her iPad 95% instead of going to her iMac. It’s pretty obvious that she could easily live without a desktop.

Is it more limited than a desktop? Of course it is. Some of these limitations will go away with new versions of the hardware and the software, but what many are forgetting is that these limitations are not always a bad thing. The iPad is a much, MUCH easier computer to use than a regular desktop for a normal user. The app store alone makes it much easier for people to install applications than normal mac os x.

Many of my friends are dubious of the usefulness of the iPad and while I can’t say that the iPad itself will win over the desktop in the next few years, I do believe that tablets in general will replace the desktop for many less technical users soon. When you can buy a touch screen tablet for 199$, many will opt for that option.

(written on my iPad)

Wow, Apple launched the iPad. I was traveling but managed to watch it “live” (blog) on Gizmodo in GMT+1, thanks to Jonathan. It’s fun to let the dust settle after such an important product announcement. Personally, I never liked previous tablets that have surfaced every blue moon over many years. I always thought they provided an awkward user-experience, had poor graphics and were pointless (no pun). Not anymore.

I know there is plenty of criticism, all from people who have not used the product as it will only be available in a month or so. The gist of the critics are: no Flash, no phone, no multitasking, no OSX, no HDMI, no camera, no battery replacement and overpriced Flash memory storage options. The Apple bashing runs havoc in the forums, PC people thinking Steve Jobs has delivered yet another promised land sermon to his followers. You know you’re on to something when you’re being attacked rather than ignored. You know you’re on to something when a Macromedia Flash incompatible device (iPhone) is overselling all other smartphones.

I’ll tell you why I will be buying one. Because I’m addicted to my iPhone and this is an iPhone on steroïds. Besides, because it uses the Apple App Store, I will most likely be able to set up a VoIP softphone on it… More choice.

There’s a fundamental difference between wanting a device to do everything (especially things it was not intended for) and owning a device by design, because it fills needs. I read email almost in real time. This device will improve this user-experience or at least widen the reading opportunities.

I watch (read) movies in bed. This device will improve this experience.

I read books and magazines. This will make them more accessible. It is an extension of the paper reading experience. Not a replacement.

I read and edit spreadsheets. This device will allow me to take this necessity to different, new locations and settings.

It is not a laptop. It is not a phone. It is certainly not a PC tablet running Windows. It is an iPad: a reading device like no other.