The point? I think you are missing the point that this was a missed opportunity, and a big let down. Apple could have done loads more, but instead they created in essence, a big iPod Touch. They fail.
Then it is a resounding success! Seriously, though...enlighten us as to the true point of this device. Go on now.
I think the content/developers will make or break this device. Aside from the ereader stuff, I can see some audio apps putting the extra real estate to really good use. With a 2-month delay before the iPad starts shipping, there's enough time for killer apps to surface.
I agree. I don't think it's so much a case of missing the point, more that the point is pointless I was expecting Apple to show me something I didn't know I needed until now, instead they've shown me something I don't really need at all. I'm sure someone can find a use for it, but it still leaves me disappointed.
Hahaha! Nice, fast, Photoshopping. Actually, I think that's a good point. For filmmakers and photographers, the iPad would provide a great way to show off a portfolio. Business people could probably find uses for it also. I agree, it's not all that magical or revolutionary. However, the more I think about it, the more uses I'm starting to realize for it. I'm not really into watching movies on portable devices, but might be able to get into that on an iPad. The only thing I currently have a problem with is the name. It reminds me too much of feminine hygiene products. Multitasking would be nice.
I think the biggest problem is companies keep trying to sell us on a fourth or possibly even fifth computing platform if you've got a HTPC that consumers simply don't have any room in their life for. If you've already got a desktop, laptop and cell phone you don't need yet another computing device you want a replacement for one of those.
I think most were expecting an actual computer, rather than a slimmed down "personal media center" that you already have with your iPhone or iPod Touch. It's a missed opportunity because the iPad as it is right now is really just a glorified e-reader in many respects.
I think it's going to be a lot like when the iPhone first came out in most people won't "get" it until they have it in their hands.
Very true, I was basically hoping for a Macbook in tablet form. I kinda knew it was too good to be true, and this confirms it. I don't have a Macbook and my laptop is slowly dying so I wanted the iPad to be my super cool up-to-date solution... but now I guess it's back to looking at regular Macbooks.
In theory, iPad is missing link between iPhone and MacBook. The point of this device is to make everything more comfortable and smoother and, this point was reached. I love surfing web on my iPod, I can only imagine how great is it on iPad. But is it enough? As so long awaited device it could be better a little bit - at least with fixing iPhone's lacks.
That was my expectation as well. As it is, it's not something I would use for work or anything beyond emails and web surfing. And from a convenience standpoint, it's not handy for your music along like an iPhone or iPod Touch. The iPad is at a crossroads: it's not good enough (right now) for the office, but it's really too big in the practical sense for the entertainment on the go. I could think of plenty of uses for the iPad, but at the same time, I have other gadgets that are better suited.
I can get behind that. And I've reserved my judgement for that reason. Until I've held it in my hand and spent some time with it, I won't really know...that I don't want one. Same thing did in fact happen with the iphone/touch...I wasn't phased until I'd really spent some one on one with it.
Except when I first heard about the iPhone I thought "yeah...there might be something there". And then Apple opened the App Store, and I really "got it" and, I suspect, so did the rest of us. I just don't "get" this as anything more than a giant iPhone/touch. And that's not revolutionary at all. It's not a "game changer". It seems pretty reactionary and, for Apple, half assed quite frankly. There's a market for it, sure...but it won't be a sizable one, and, in all likelihood, might be quite a small niche.
At the very least, if this had multitasking capability, then I wouldn't be as down on it as I am now as an individual consumer. Again I have to point out that I'm not bashing it, or stating that it's a "bad" product. It'll have it's uses...but those uses are rather limited, IMHO, and for a limited audience. If Apple were simply targeting that niche, then I'd be fine with it...but they seem to be targeting a more mass cross-section of consumers, and I just don't see this taking off like they'd wish. At least with the iPhone I figured integrating a cell phone with an iPod, and putting a touchscreen on there made sense in that I saw it as Apple's salvo against Windows Mobile. iPod touch just took it to another level, because I could see it being geared toward younger consumers. With this one, though...I just don't see it. I admit there could be something I'm missing completely here, but I just don't see it, and not many others itt or members of this site (or elsewhere) seem to either.
It's very telling because if Apple had come out with the $1,000 price point as analysts expected, the stock would've kept falling. Depending on how you interpret stock data (and I used to work with an analyst who estimated stock prices based on public opinion), the reaction to the iPad is pretty ho-hum. The price is the iPad's saving grace based on the initial reaction.
