So it’s obviously April Fool’s Day today, but leaving that aside, it’s also the day that the first pre-release iPads are getting unboxed, fired up and written about. First, let’s just get this out of the way – I don’t have one. There, that’s important to say, because I’m a tech journalist and do get bits of kit every now and again to play with and write about. Not today though, mores the pity.
I have just come from reading Stephen Fry’s first look article over at Time Magazine’s website on the iPad however, and as always the wonderful Stephen has articulated something I’ve thought for a while but not put into words.
We are human beings; our first responses to anything are dominated not by calculations but by feelings. What Ive and his team understand is that if you have an object in your pocket or hand for hours every day, then your relationship with it is profound, human and emotional. Apple’s success has been founded on consumer products that address this side of us: their products make users smile as they reach forward to manipulate, touch, fondle, slide, tweak, pinch, prod and stroke.
And that’s why I’ve just decided I need to have one of these. Because I trust Jonathon Ive, the guy who designed the iMac, the iPod and the iPhone.
I’ve had an iPhone for a year or so now – so I wasn’t an early adopter. In fact, I’ve always carried with me a mild dislike of Apple’s technology. I resisted the allure of the iPhone for quite some time, opting instead for the serious business person’s preference, the Blackberry. I remember when I switched to the iPhone – I signed up for a serious contract with O2 for 18 months, got it home and started to think I’d made a dreadful mistake.
It took me ten minutes to type out a text message on the touch sensitive screen and I thought “Christ, I’m never going to be able to actually use this.” Eventually of course, I did get used to it, and now wouldn’t go back to a phone with keys. (Don’t get me started about the size of my first bill however – that’s a whole other rant. €850 plus. Grrrr.)
Anyway, here we are, a year and a half later and I couldn’t imagine running my personal or business life without an iPhone. It’s simply the cleverest, best adapted device of its kind out there — to the point that I don’t think you can meaningfully compare it to other smartphones, and certainly not to the smartphones that were around when it was first released.
But that’s old news. iPhone fan boys waxing lyrical about how good the handset is, well that’s certainly passed into cliche. I’m a fan boy, unashamedly so at this point.I will freely admit that I still don’t see the need that the iPad is designed to fill. However, everything else this company does is drenched in a deep understanding and appreciation for how technology is used, with regard for what it does and how it does it rightful moved down the list of priorities.
So I’ve decided I want one. And that’s not an April’s Fool.
alexmeehan.com 
I don’t know. It doesn’t appeal to me at all. I think that’s because (for the moment anyway) it’s essentially a device for consuming content as opposed to producing. What I’d like is the same thing but with the guts of my macbook. Also, something with a more open OS would be better for my tastes.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I suppose the issue is that most people don’t produce content. (Certainly not in the way you do, anyway.) They consume, and part of the problem with personal technology is that in the rush to be all things to all people, to be ‘multifunctional’ many casual users have been left behind. (I’m thinking of my Mum and Dad here, for example)
Most people like them want to be able to read e-mail, write the odd one, surf the web, browse forums and maybe, blog a bit. If they need to do other things, there are other devices better suited to that.
Also, there’s no need for all devices to be all things to all people. The average PC or Mac is ridiculously overspec’ed for the needs of the average user. If you bought an iPad, it wouldn’t replace the need you have for your work machines.
True, I was really just speaking from my own point of view. I wouldn’t say no to one, but I prefer the iphone as it does the same job (and it’s a phone) and has the advantage of portability.
Also, if you are thinking of getting one, I’d wait. Never get the first version of an apple product, it’s an old rule of thumb…
Yep, you’re probably right. I’ll hang on a little while to get one – as I still need to upgrade my iPhone to the latest 3GS model – need to wait a few more months until the end of my onerous contract.
In other news, this blog entry has just been listed on the frontpage of wordpress.com
That’s pretty cool!
I am not sure, it’s just like a big Ipod. but it’s a consuming world, so maybe I’ll consider buying it. 😉
Yes, that’s sort of what I thought about it up until this morning. Stephen Fry posted a clip on youtube of him opening the package when it arrived, and it includes a docking station and also a plug-in keyboard. Obviously those will cost extra, but it certainly lifts it out of the territory of being an oversized ipod.
Time will tell of course.
Alex
(PS, that video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIic04tXkRw&feature=player_embedded)
Love, love, love all things Apple. Have from beginning. Do upgrade that phone when you can – amazing. Am totally unfam with Ipad – is it for people who don’t want phone/computer – just email and such?
I was a Day One owner of the iPhone, and I have to say I too bought into the hype of Apple and I al glad I did. However with the introduction of the iPad, I have learned a few things about Apple’s Mind set. They are going to release the basic version and in a year they will add even more amazing features. (this is true of most tech) What makes my hesitation stronger with this product is where we are with Technology. Sprint in on the verge of the 4G network, Korea has a 5G network and current web camera technology is easily capable with the 3G speeds of today. So why no built in Web Camera? This one feature and the increase in transmission speeds will transform the industry completely. Phones could be obsolete and video phones the way of the future…
I have the same feeling! I want an iPAD too or at least play around with it at the Apple store!
At the moment, it looks and feels just like a giant iPhone, but without the phone. However, Apple didn’t get to be top of the gadget tree without having a brain. You know that all the little add on’s and things people are craving will come in about a year and a half. Whet the appetite with this version, then blow people away with the proper article in 15 months time. I hope so anyway………..
I can understand your feeling about iPad… Not just because I am fanboy, but because I know what kind of excitement using Apple product is. When I first unpacked my 27″ iMac, I was impressed by everything about it. For the first time in life i knew I did not waste a single dime on a piece of technology (which happened to a lot of devices I bought previously). I would say that iPad will answer the need to use Internet anywhere, anytime.
I want one so bad but i beleive that the ipad is just an iphone in a bigger format. It is the same adzact thing just has more computer features than phone features. The ipad is a very nice piece of equipment but is it worth the money? I believe it is not worth the money i rather just buy a macbook.
Far too expensive and similar to an iPhone and iPod touch to justify a purchase in my book.
I have an imac. I’ve used mac for years, but this computer is so cleanly designed, so elegant. I’m not a huge machine fan, but damn! This is just nice. Their products touch me in all the right places. Could you guess . . . I want one
Hey, i think the same to yoy so the ipad im sure will be used for lots of things: electronic map for travelling, surf arround the Internet while travelling to work, enjoying at home..and many more! Im gona have dinner!
I’m not exactly sure if I would buy this, but it looks pretty cool.
I feel for you on the iPhone thing. My fiancée started with a palm, his company switched to the iPhone – and when he finally fell in love with it, they switched to blackberry! I inherited his iPhone (he’ll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands) and we refer to his blackberry as the “fake” phone.
As far as the ipad goes. I am intrigued, but I’ll definitely wait until at least the next version to really consider purchasing it.
ughhhhhh now I need 1!
You know it would be nice to have an ipad, but I got to be good, and why I ask this, because my birthday is coming. It would be a nice president for me. But I am not sure if I am into it!!!
Not a big fan. I saw this parody commercial, and it made me think it’s better to just either have the Iphone, or a macbook…
http://doin-work.com/2010/03/25/instant-classic-ipad-parody-commercial/
So much hype over this gadget. Why not wait a year until the real market has had a chance to test it and work out all the bugs, then decide for yourself if it’s really worth it? Or do so many people really have to be among the first to have everything, no matter what?
This “gadget” is true brilliance, genius. The author is spot on. I elaborated quite a bit further on why it is, on the way that Apple thought of just about EVERYTHING with this device… but you have to use your head and put together the pieces. Or read what I wrote on my blog, at SpectreWriter.com.
Good on ya, Alex. And spot-on about why we love the things so much.
am too need ipod ..lol
A digital camera is a gadget requirement for any trip. Gadget geeks who like crisp images aren’t satisfied with blurry cell phone pictures. When bringing a digital camera on a trip, don’t forget the adapter that charges the device. http://gilole.com/
I was a Day One owner of the iPhone, and I have to say I too bought into the hype of Apple and I al glad I did. However with the introduction of the iPad, I have learned a few things about Apple’s Mind set. They are going to release the basic version and in a year they will add even more amazing features. (this is true of most tech) What makes my hesitation stronger with this product is where we are with Technology. Sprint in on the verge of the 4G network, Korea has a 5G network and current web camera technology is easily capable with the 3G speeds of today. So why no built in Web Camera? This one feature and the increase in transmission speeds will transform the industry completely. Phones could be obsolete and video phones the way of the future…