Is the iPad as revolutionary as it was hyped up to be? After it was presented on January 27th a feeling of collective disappointment spread across the web as followers of the release event tried to figure out exactly what it was designed to do. Is it worth the additional cost over a netbook? Apple would have you believe it is but the fact is that it offers reduced functionality in almost all areas than its closest competitors, the netbook and ereader. These are some areas in which the iPad falls short:
- It uses the same software that was used in the iPhone and iPod touch. Okay it was updated but people were expecting something a little more revolutionary. After selling millions of iPods and iPhones and competition from other operating systems like android, the interface is beginning to feel a little dated and the app store restricted.
- No multitasking ability. Want to listen to internet radio while you browse the web or quickly switch between a website you're referencing and a document? You're not going to be able to
with the iPad.
- There is only an onscreen keyboard with an option to buy a keyboard to dock it with. While the absence of a keyboard is just the nature of tablets, if you're going to carry a keyboard around with you why not buy a netbook or laptop? This alone will probably turn away many potential business buyers or students.
- No flash for websites. This means no streaming from sites like hulu or netflix.
- No webcam for video conferencing using programs like skype.
- Processor speed is supposedly 1Ghz. This puts it far behind netbooks which typically clock in at around 1.6Ghz
- The screen is in a 4:3 aspect ratio which will leave black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when viewing wide screen 16:9 format content.
- No HDMI output to show movies or pictures on a bigger television screen. Many netbooks now have this.
- It can't compete with current ereaders. 10hours worth of reading on the iPad vs. 1 week on the Kindle. Worldwide access to new content through an included cellular connection with the Kindle, plans starting at $15 a month for nationwide access on the iPad.
- Price: iPad-$500-829, typical netbook- $350, Amazon Kindle-$259
It's clear after looking at the iPad's capabilities that it has no advantage to any product already on the market. It's effectively a giant iPod Touch aimed at further increasing Apple's app store revenue and while it's interface worked well on something that is carried around in someone's pocket it fails to win many people over as one that will power the mobile computer of the future.
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