Today: A big iPod Touch. A Year From Today: The Tablet You Dreamed Of

[sfmountainbiker]

Yes, I agree that from yesterday's presentation the new iPad looks like a big iPod Touch. It basically is, since at the moment they share (essentially) the same applications (albeit slightly different user interface). This was done intentionally since the iPad will only be as good as the apps that can be used on it. It HAD to be able to run iPhone apps at launch. Imagine if it DIDN'T use iPhone OS. Imagine if there were only a handful of Apple apps to use on it at the launch (instead of 150,000+). The product would have been DOA.

However, it's important to keep in mind that in time the two products will become highly differentiated with the apps that are tailored for each device. A year from today, with time and the potential for an upgraded Rev B, the iPad will begin to look like the tablet everyone was dreaming to get their eyes on yesterday, and less and less like a big iPod Touch.

I think there is some meaning in Steve's desire to launch this product in Jan/10 (the beginning of a new decade). I think he wants Apple to be able to look back in 5-10 years and see this as a groundbreaking (quasi-literally) moment for the company, similar to the launch of the iPod or iPhone.

...just some thoughts amid a torrent of Apple fans screaming bloody murder....

 

[lee.anderson]

I totally agree. It's a 10" blank slate for developers; there is going to be some amazing things created for it.

You only have to looks as far as the iPod app for example:

It looks like a touch version of iTunes, and I can only imagine what developers have in mind for it. You could even run OS X with a native VNC Client that will inevitably be created for the iPad.

If you took the App Store away from the iPhone, you don't really have much; just a solid platform. The App Store is where the iPad will really shine.

 

[dave1812dave]

Yes, I agree that from yesterday's presentation the new iPad looks like a big iPod Touch. It basically is, since at the moment they share (essentially) the same applications (albeit slightly different user interface). This was done intentionally since the iPad will only be as good as the apps that can be used on it. It HAD to be able to run iPhone apps at launch. Imagine if it DIDN'T use iPhone OS. Imagine if there were only a handful of Apple apps to use on it at the launch (instead of 150,000+). The product would have been DOA.

However, it's important to keep in mind that in time the two products will become highly differentiated with the apps that are tailored for each device. A year from today, with time and the potential for an upgraded Rev B, the iPad will begin to look like the tablet everyone was dreaming to get their eyes on yesterday, and less and less like a big iPod Touch.

I think there is some meaning in Steve's desire to launch this product in Jan/10 (the beginning of a new decade). I think he wants Apple to be able to look back in 5-10 years and see this as a groundbreaking (quasi-literally) moment for the company, similar to the launch of the iPod or iPhone.

...just some thoughts amid a torrent of Apple fans screaming bloody murder....

Could Apple have made the bezel any wider? LOL! How do fanbois justify the increased overall size of the iPad, relative to it's screen? Reminds me of the wasted space around a Kindle screen--just not quite so bad.

 

[lee.anderson]

Could Apple have made the bezel any wider? LOL! How do fanbois justify the increased overall size of the iPad, relative to it's screen? Reminds me of the wasted space around a Kindle screen--just not quite so bad.

I will answer that with another question: Without the bezel, how would you hold it?

 

[jamesapp]

Just my opinion, but if the tablet came out and was multi touch with a mac os x hybrid operating system. And I thought it was innovative, I wouldn't have minded if it only had fifteen apps at launch. Especially if they were especially designed for the operating system. Maybe I am in the minority, didn't the original iPhone not have an AppStore? And I would be like I am sure developers will continue you to develop for the new platform. And I was hoping to be able to install software, from other sources other than the AppStore, more like a computer.

 

[dave1812dave]

A Question: Without the bezel, how would you hold it?

At 1.5 lbs, or whatever it is, I DON'T WANT TO HOLD IT!! My Touch is roughly 3.5 OUNCES, and I can read on it for hours without fatigue. Apple is already touting cradles and keyboards for it, knowing that people really aren't gonna type and hold it simultaneously.

 

[queshy]

Agreed, remember how bad everyone though the iPod touch was on launch? Look at the device it has become! Rev B for the iPad will probably add a camera, multitasking, GPS, etc.

 

[dave1812dave]

Agreed, remember how bad everyone though the iPod touch was on launch? Look at the device it has become! Rev B for the iPad will probably add a camera, multitasking, GPS, etc.

I'm not arguing, but I don't recall that the Touch got the cold shoulder when it was introduced.

 

[lee.anderson]

I'm not arguing, but I don't recall that the Touch got the cold shoulder when it was introduced.

The iPod, the iPhone and now the iPad has all gotten the cold shoulder when it was first introduced. People said the exact same things about them. Look at them now.

In 6 months time, you will want one. In 6 months time, when the iPads App Store is coming into itself you will see the uses.

 

[dave1812dave]

The iPod, the iPhone and now the iPad has gotten the cold shoulder when it was first introduced. People said the exact same things about them. Look at them now.

In 6 months time, you will want one. In 6 months time, when the iPads App Store is coming into itself you will see the uses.

Nope, I've purchased 11 ipods for myself and my wife, but that's the extent of Apple-branded products I own. IF Apple ever makes an iPhone with multitasking for Verizon, then I'm "in". I don't need or want a maxi...er iPad.

 

[Jaro65]

Nope, I've purchased 11 ipods for myself and my wife, but that's the extent of Apple-branded products I own. IF Apple ever makes an iPhone with multitasking for Verizon, then I'm "in". I don't need or want a maxi...er iPad.

Yeah, how many times I've said the same thing. Never ever another Apple product. So who is going to make your next cool thing? Dell?

I just dug up the Newton 2000 box in the garage. In 1997 I paid just under CDN $1700 for it (and I actually never regretted spending that money). So when I look at it now, $600-700 really doesn't look bad compared to what you're getting. Is iPad perfect? Far from it. Still, it may be pretty convenient to have it lying around the living room to browse the web and check the email during the TV commercials, or to take it with me for shorter trips.

 

[benlee]

I'm not arguing, but I don't recall that the Touch got the cold shoulder when it was introduced.

It did. People were upset b/c they wanted an iPhone just without the phone. When it was released it was missing some of the more key apps (I don't recall exactly what they were). This was before there was an app store IIRC.

I think a lot of us didn't like the iPad because it didn't live up to what we dreamed of, but I agree with the OP. The interface on this is amazing, even if it closely resembles an iPhone, it has a 10" screen. Apps for this are going to push the envelope.

Plus, as everyone is saying, I bet once you pick one up, you will fall in love with it.

I can't wait for Rev. B.

 

[queshy]

It did. People were upset b/c they wanted an iPhone just without the phone. When it was released it was missing some of the more key apps (I don't recall exactly what they were). This was before there was an app store IIRC.

I think a lot of us didn't like the iPad because it didn't live up to what we dreamed of, but I agree with the OP. The interface on this is amazing, even if it closely resembles an iPhone, it has a 10" screen. Apps for this are going to push the envelope.

Plus, as everyone is saying, I bet once you pick one up, you will fall in love with it.

I can't wait for Rev. B.

Yeah, it was missing notes, weather, maps, e-mail, all the cool stuff.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Completely agree with the OP. In its current state, the iPad is nothing more than a large iPhone/Touch (which also has an eBook reader and a full word processor on the go, i.e. Quickoffice/Docs To Go), but give it more time and the devices will evolve in their own way.