Paying Attention to all things Technology

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After having the iPad for the first two weeks of being out, I can honestly say, I was “blown away” by this device from the beginning, even though I did not anticipate this response.  In my mind I saw the new iPad as just a “big iPod Touch,” and did not see the need of owning one, since I already had an iPhone.    The iPad does look like a big iPod Touch, but it is very different in regards to its use and apps.  This is very noticeable from the beginning of use.  There are three areas of importance that I will address in my review of the iPad.   These areas include the hardware, the software, and Safari Browser, as well as my own personal experiences using it in my home.

Even though the iPad has only been out for two weeks, I can say the hardware is beautiful.  It is not only beautiful, but solid and heavy, but not to heavy.  I purchased the Apple case and really love it.  With this case I am able to prop it up, walk around with it, while not feeling cumbersome and awkward.  It is similar to holding a book.   I personally will not use this device without being in the case.  In reviewing the buttons, and the speakers, these both work well, and the speakers sound wonderful.  Lastly, the screen is beautiful, and is well displayed in sunlight.  In regards to the iPads rating, I would give it five stars.

Although the hardware is excellent, there are a couple of areas that I would change regarding the software.   I was surprised by the lack of a calculator and a voice recording app from Apple.  Even though these are small apps that can be found in the Apple store for free, I feel they should have been put on the iPad in the beginning, or at best there should be a download in the app store with the iWork apps.  Additionally, I do think all of the stock apps are really good scaled up versions, and Apple did quite well with them.  With the iPad app store growing, I feel that in time developers will get more creative and we will see the quality of the apps get better and better.  One note of caution though, Apple tried to give the marketing speech that all same apps can be used on the iPhone, iPod, and the iPad.   While that is true, they neglect to tell you that in order to see them, you have to zoom in the apps which cause them to look pixelated.  This does not bother some people,   but it is a distraction to me, so I only use iPhone apps out of necessity.  I hope in time all developers will make a higher res iPad version of the app or design a completely new one.  With the popularity, this will happen eventually.

In addition to the hardware and software, I would like to make a few comments about the Safari Browser for the iPad.  This is one feature that I use most of the time.  I am able to go to the real YouTube.com and watch movies without using the app.  I simply pinch it, and it will go to a full screen.  Even though it does not do “Flash” there are still a lot of websites that are changing their videos, so they will play on the iPad.  I am sure they are doing them in HTML 5, but it makes it feel like you are not restricted when you are able to play the video in the browser.  We will have to wait and see what happens in the whole Flash vs. HTML 5 debate.  For the most part, I have not found very many videos that I cannot play.  I also do all of my email on the iPad in Safari.  I use Gmail, it looks just like it does on the desktop view, and I love it.  There is no need for notifications here, because I have a phone giving me notifications.

In conclusion, my personal use for the iPad is sitting on the couch, in bed, and at work.  It has taken the place of a personal laptop for me, since I use a desktop as my main machine, and not a laptop.  I enjoy the versatility of carrying the iPad around the house from room to room.  I may play a couple of games on it, tweet on it, watch Netflix, or YouTube movies.   I am ready for iPhone 4.0 though, because I will be happy to stream Pandora in the background, and organize my apps better with folders.  One question that is being asked by many is, “Could this be a laptop replacement?”  I say the answer is “No” for most people.  I feel at its’ current state the iPad lacks in many areas that a full blown computer has.   I do not feel like they are even in the same category though.  I do feel in the near future, we will see more and more tablet style devices.  Being able to use the touch screens to interact with a device is so natural and easy to pick up on.  This is the future of computing no matter what we like or dislike about it.  Like it or not the iPad has started a huge turn in the way we interact with devices that are not just phones.  If you can afford the iPad, and really think you would like to have one, my suggestion is to get one and try it.  I feel confident in saying,” I think you will love it!”

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Nic Ball