Still Trying to Figure Out the iPad Fever
I don’t own an iPad, but I’ve been very curious about the new device. I’ve done quite a bit of reading about it, and I’ve pestered friends who own one to explain the hype. Here’s what I can’t figure out: Why do I need a third device in addition to my small laptop and my mobile phone?
I own the smallest MacBook Pro. It has a 13-inch screen. It’s very portable and highly functional. Among other things, it has these features that aren’t available on an iPad: a built in stand, a physical keyboard, USB ports to upload media, the ability to run Flash, a camera for web chats and the ability to run apps that aren’t available in the Apple’s app store.
When I’m on the run and don’t have access to my laptop, I have my mobile phone. Because of the power of the apps that are available for my phone, I can do things like check email, use social media, read my Bible, take pictures, buy stuff, listen to music, watch TV, follow my Google Reader and make phone calls. Again, a number of these features aren’t available on an iPad either.
So, if you own an iPad, I’m curious to know how you’re using it. How is its functionality better than your laptop or your phone? What does it do that the other two devices don’t do? Is it a cool gadget, or is it helping you be more productive? What about engaging media? Do you prefer to watch movies or TV shows on it over other devices? Do you read more on it?
Whether it’s an iPad or any other type of tablet that will soon be available, why do I need a third device?
Still skeptical.
Tony,
Those are EXACTLY the same questions I’ve been asking. Yeah, it’s a very cool gadget. But is it necessary? Do I neeeeed one? Even my techie-Apple-only son said it’s superfluous.
As for reading books on an iPad or even a Kindle…I get that for people who may have vision problems or some other reason they can’t hold a book. But to read books on? BOOKS? To NOT hold a book, smell a book, really feel a book, turn the pages of a book – that’s all part of the essence, the wonderfulness of books!
I too wonder why they’re NECESSARY. I’m not judging anyone who has one and loves it. Just wondering.
I use the iPad for controling our DigiDesign audio console that is not positioned well in the balcony. I can also remote into our lighting software to program lights and I use ProRemote from ProPresenter on our triplescreens on stage. Now we can position volunteers more strategically and are not locked into one place.
Tony, I’ve held out on purchasing a Kindle a long time for the much rumored iPad (confession: I’m a Mac evangelist). At minimum I was looking for an e-book reader. don’t need to spend time talking about the user experience vs. kindle in that regard, however I’m pretty disappointed with the library in iTunes at this point (and ironically am purchasing through Amazon on the Kindle app). I read a ton and the instant gratification to be able to download a book is a real draw for me.
Having said that, I’m still exploring the iPad. Surprisingly, I’ve found the ability to type unexpectedly well; not keyboard well, but well enough that I’m not afraid to type short to medium emails/docs, etc. (this post is from my iPad as a matter of fact).
Mainly I use it to reading blogs, social networking, ebooks. My normal pattern is to jump on and do some leisure reading in the evenings and the experience really is amazing.
I have also found myself bringing my iPad to meetings with docs, spreadsheets, etc. that I might need rather than my laptop (which inevitably means I’d bring my whole laptop bag, etc).
I’ll begin experimenting this week with using the iPad in our creative process rather than printing off design concepts for review, we’ll present concepts on the iPad. We’re beginning to more closely track what we’re spending in overhead on paper/ink, etc. More of a curiosity at this point…
Does someone NEED an iPad? Nope. don’t think so at all. One could make the same argument for a Kindle too, I think.
One thing I am really leaning in to is using an iPad as a non-power user laptop replacement. If my Mom, Grandmother, etc. or someone who is primarily looking for a laptop for web surfing, email, social networking, lite word processing, etc. I would COMPLETELY recommend they get a cheaper iPad over a laptop.
Anyway, I am really really enjoying my unnecessary ebook-reader-lightweight-laptop-replacement-blog-reading-social-networking iPad.
Short answer, we don’t need it. There are many things we use everyday that we don’t “need”. But…
I love it. Don’t absolutely need it, but love it and would buy it again:) The ultra-portability is awesome… I have demoted my laptop to our household computer. I now use this as my exclusive device all day, everyday. It does everything except video and design editing which I rarely have to do anyway.
- battery life is insane I can go all day without plugging it in.
- kindle and iBooks… I always have 2-3 books in my bag, why not carry part of a library with me Instead? Best part, no need for bookmarks it picks up where I left off. I have no partiality to physical books.
- I speak off of it. Bigger text than my iPhone and portability that my MacBook doesn’t have. I just officiated a wedding with it this afternoon…
- Easier to pull out for note taking (Evernote rocks BTW)
- I’m using it right now:)
In reality, I don’t need it, but it has enhanced my ability to function day in and day out.
i didnt need one but i love mine. i think its definitely a unique user experience which will get better over the next months and years to come. btw im posting this comment from my Ipad :) miss ya tony and hope you are doing awesome! im always inspired by you!
I am a Pastor and use it for all of my outlines. I have been using it since the day it came out and have not ran into any issues while speaking as of yet. (Is till keep hard copy w me). I have a mac book pro and iphone as well, but it is great to take to meetings etc…so I do not have to lug my laptop around. It may not be practical for everyone, but works for. PS. it was also a gift :)
Potential.
Apple seems to do a good job of anticipating or creating needs. When a new Apple product is released, lots of folks have similar questions that revolve around “why”. Then developers answer that question after the first wave of consumers gobble up half a million units in the first month.
Because of the Apple developer/user developer relationship, the hype revolves around potential. We’ve seen the iPod Touch, iPhone, and MacBook Pro become increasingly useful since their release. To most, the iPad is a safe purchase because of it’s unknown, but expected, potential.
I love my iPad. I use it a ton. In many ways, it’s easier at times than turning on your computer but still no one really needs it. What it brings to the table beyond a laptop is the app’s and games. I think the gaming on it is going to be amazing in the future. Otherwise, reading books or magazines, surfing the web, checking email, watching shows, using it as a notepad or digital picture frame, cookbook or on stage as a synth – all really amazing and a better user experience. Another thing is that my 5 year daughter loves it – it’s a good babysitter or attention getter during a phone call or whatever – I have it stocked with games, books, drawing, puzzles & a fishtank, we used it in the car for a trip for the kids to watch shows, and it is fun to play air hockey on it for a family game.
won’t read it read books…i like underlining and writing in the margins.
won’t read it for tasks I do on my laptop
would use it to watch movies on an airplane.
and am thinking about using it to preach from, instead of printed notes.
One other thing…
a little historical perspective… cached thread at macrumors forum at the announcement “Apple’s New Thing (iPod)” from 2001.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500
My favorite quote (and the majority of comments are in this vein): “I still can’t believe this! All this hype for something (iPod) so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently! Why oh why would they do this?! It’s so wrong! It’s so stupid!”
juuuusst missed the mark a bit.
The iPod revolutionized the mp3 player and made iTunes the #3 music retailer and #1 online retailer. I think the iPad will create a revolution as well. Maybe not as prevalent as the iPod, but one nonetheless.
people who ask these kinds of questions will never “get” Apple.
of course you don’t NEED the ipad. why in the world would anyone NEED a product that has less power and less functionality???
so, if i don’t need it, why am i getting one? (after having played with a loaner for a few hours)
power up > launch netflix app > watch movie .
what’d that take? like 8 seconds?
how long would that take on a laptop?
the “feel” of sitting on a couch with a slim iPad vs sitting with a laptop and trying to adjust the angle of the display screen to consume media…
touch marker/points on google maps and have info boxes (layers with transparency) pop up under your fingers without flipping to another screen on your smartphone…
apps launch instantly. some people like multi-tasking. but on a sub-$800 laptop, having 3 apps open and running sluggishly is not a better user experience, IMO.
awesome touch screen!
my thought when using iPad for the first time: “why in the world would anyone WANT to use a mouse???”
To Summarize:
* less power
* less functionality
but
* better user experience
* super intuitive UI on many apps
* amazing innovations coming out of the iTunes App developer market
* no flash = WIN (faster and less clunky in most cases)
don’t get that last one? ask me again in 2 years. let’s see how well Flash competes with AJAX and HTML5 in web browsers in the near future.
web designers have already been replacing MUCH flash functionality with AJAX and DHTML in the past year (dynamic website menus, moving objects, photo galleries, etc)
so whether you get an iPad or a Google pad or XXXX-brand pad in 2 years from now, this is the future of digital media consumption.
I will be buying one for my wife soon. She used to have a macbook until it was stolen,b tu instead of replacing it I’m going to cut cost in half. She uses it for mainly web browsing, emails, and word processing.
I think this device is perfect for the web browsing computer user. It will replace the laptop for the average person in a few years.
Tony,
I have a 15″ MacBook Pro, an iPhone, and now an iPad. You’re absolutely right that you don’t need a 3rd device, and I’ve found that having a 3rd device is a significant hassle – keeping up with it, charging it, syncing it, etc.
iPad won’t replace my phone (it won’t fit in my pocket & I don’t always have it with me) and this model can’t replace everything I do with my laptop.
But within 2 years, I think the iPad will replace my laptop.
The 13″ iPad Pro (or whatever they call the bigger version that I hope they release) that runs a full version of Mac OS will be my primary computer within the next two years.
The tablet form factor is great for reading (books & online), for watching video, and for other consumption. The onscreen keyboard is too cramped in the current model, but the extra screen real estate of my hoped-for larger version will make on-screen typing even faster than physical keyboard typing. Multitouch interaction with documents, notetaking, mind-mapping, etc. will be a massive leap in productivity & creativity. Always-on 3G/4G (without having to tether to a phone) will allow even more mobility for knowledge workers.
The current iPad isn’t there yet, and you’re right to not get one unless the ebook reader function is compelling enough to justify it. But I think Apple will release a device like the above (13″ slate with full OS), and so will Google and a dozen others, and it will replace the laptop as the primary model for mobile computing.
Do I really need it? Nope. Did I purchase one, Yep & I haven’t pick up my MacBook Air since April 3rd (I use my iMac @ home & church)!
I currently use my iPad to preach, teach, & take advantage of Logos 4 (it’s amazing). Prior to using my iPad to preach, I used my Kindle (transferred my notes via PDF to Kindle – hassle). Now, I create my notes & send them to Pages & preach/teach.
This past Sunday in between services I made changes to my notes right on my iPad. Additionally, I take advantage & use different fonts, colors, & shading to highlight key points I want to drive home. Also, I lock the screen & set auto-lock to “never” so the screen stays on. Did I mention how AWESOME the battery life is?
I’d rather read books from my iPad than Kindle & I like the notes & highlighting features. I wish the Kindle app would add a dictionary like iBooks. I recently took a trip & carried my iPad, Motorola Droid, Verizon MiFi (can’t trust hotel WiFi) & iPod Shuffle and seriously did not miss my laptop @ all.
I’m currently holding out for the next incarnation which, if the rumors are true, will have a camera. As a music minister, I can really see a great use for a backlit, networked tablet from which to read music and lyrics. Love the idea of using Planning Center in a live venue also.