[NTLK] ipad

[Joel M. Sciamma]

Ryan wrote:

> This is 'the' device that we all saw in computer concept videos from  
> long-time past.

No, it isn't. If it had been controlled conventionally with a mouse or  
a trackpad you wouldn't be saying things like this about what is a  
very conventional machine, albeit with a much nicer interface.

It's still an old-fashioned, application-centric, document model, with  
no multitasking, no document management, no intelligent assistance,  
restricted connectivity and no HWR for when you are standing up.  
Holding the machine with one hand and pecking at an on-screen keyboard  
with the other is a pretty pathetic alternative.

What it does beautifully is bring a whole new audience of potential  
computer users into Apple's sights with a device that does most of  
things they want to do in a sleek, easy to use, easy to learn package.  
That is the achievement. In terms of the underlying model of what the  
computer does for you, nothing has changed. Actually very little has  
fundamentally changed in the last 25 years I have been staring at the  
Mac other than the Newton, which had it survived would have really  
moved us to a better place by now, far beyond what the iPad currently  
is.

What will be interesting to see is what this presages for the now very  
tired Mac OS.

As developers port their wares to the iPad, does this build a code  
base and experience for the introduction of similar interfaces for the  
Mac? It would make the transition a lot easier for Apple and its  
developers in two or three years time.

How long can Apple defend the laptops and desktops by consciously  
constraining the capabilities of the touch products?

They will have calculated the effect that finally giving these devices  
an external keyboard will have on the lower-end MacBooks and decided  
some cannibalism was worth it before someone else did it for them.

How will new model iPads change in size and capability in their  
overlap with laptops. All very interesting.

I like the iPod Touch and the iPhone a lot for what they are but I  
don't have either of them because they don't do anything I need. The  
iPad is pretty much the same, beautiful, clever and well targeted it  
may be but I can think of no good reason to use one over the kit I  
already have - I'm just not the right audience for something this  
restricted.

Joel.