Archive for the ‘iPad’ Category

The iPad and I

Posted: May 29, 2010 in Apple, iPad, Technology
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I know the last thing the world needs is another hyperventilating iPad review but it’s my blog and if I want to write about it (quite easily and quickly on the iPad’s touch keyboard as it happens) then so be it.

It’s about two weeks since the iPad moved into our pad, so we’ve ample time to play and assess Apple’s latest wunderdevice. Having initially been sceptical about buying a first generation device, I am so glad I decided otherwise – the iPad is far more fun and useful than even I (a long-time tablet advocate) thought possible.

And the emphasis is on that word fun.

While I can and do use it to bang out the occasional email or blog (irritating the WordPress app doesn’t let you add links and other formatting) this often feels like not using a computer at all. As someone who spends a lot of the day hunched up in front of a desktop, the last thing I want to do is spend my leisure hours in front of one so although I find myself doing more on the iPad and less on my desktop, I definitely use the iPad to relax more than anything.

It really is “lean back” technology, whether it’s lying on the couch reading a newspaper or magazine (both the NY and London Times are terrific on the iPad), watching a video, reading a book or playing a game, this is computing as it should be – fast and simple. The games we love on the iPhone/iPod are so much more fun on the bigger screen and apps like Maps, Elements and Star Walk are as stunning as they are useful and educational.

All the things I thought would bug me about it – lack of Flash, that big bezel, no multitasking – simply haven’t been an issue. I find I’m using purpose-built apps (like The Times) more than the paper’s Flash-using website and most of the sites I use seem to have quickly found an alternative. And the thing is so damned fast that switching between apps feels like multitasking anyway.

What has been surprising is how quickly it has become part of the family, living mostly on our lounge coffee table. Because it’s light, fast and so responsive to use (no waiting for that cumbersome laptop to boot up), it’s something that everyone in the family just picks up and uses almost without thinking.

This morning for example, the wife did some Facebooking over breakfast and later did her Land’s End order over coffee on the sofa; my son was enthralled (as your kids will be) by the Magic Piano app, tinkling away at Fur Elise, and playing the video of K’naan’s World Cup theme song over and over again. My daughter doodled away on an arts programme while I kicked back with today’s Times. It’s been a handy resource for homework and great in-car entertainment on the school run. It will be one of the first things we pack for our travels this summer, loaded up with movies and TV favourites – and of course we can download any extras using our hotel room wi-fi.

For a first generation device it is very, very impressive – but then you could argue that as the software was tested and proven on the iPhone, it’s more of an evolution than something entirely new.

Does it have flaws? Sure, but these depend on what you use it for. It is primarily a consumption device rather than a creative one but the inability to print, store files locally, synch wirelessly with my iTunes library are among the immediate shortcomings that hopefully iPhone 4.0 will address in the Fall. Oh – and a camera and a USB port would be definite plusses of course.

But overall, there’s no question in our house – the iPad is here to stay. I have a feeling it won’t be alone for long …

Mobile net usage set to overtake desktops

Posted: April 13, 2010 in internet, iPad, iPhone, media, Technology
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Just how significant are developments like the iPhone and Google Android? Mary Meeker (pictured), the highly respected head of investment ban Morgan Stanley’s global technology research team, says in her latest “State of the Internet” report that mobile net usage and adoption of Apple devices driven by 3G technology is growing far faster than desktop usage did. If you’re interested in the digital economy and how mobile devices, along with social media, are changing the way we communicate and do business, this 87 page report report is a must-read.

Playing with the iPad

Posted: April 13, 2010 in Apple, iPad, Technology, Uncategorized
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Couldn’t resist popping into the iStore yesterday and playing with one of their new demo iPads. My verdict? Don’t believe the hype: the iPad is WAY better in the flesh, so to speak.

Admittedly I only spent about 10-15 minutes playing with it but that’s easily enough to show off its many attributes which themselves only hint at its potential. So, first impressions? It feels heavier than I thought – not overly so compared to the weighty books on my bedside table but the 1.5 pounds feels a lot more substantial than a Kindle, for example. The most impressive feature right off the bat is the responsiveness. You’re already used to something like this from your iPod Touch or iPhone but this is so lightning fast and scrolling and flicking pages and so on is just a joy. The iBooks app knocks spots off the Kindle – you can see how books will come alive with the rich colours that the iPad screen offers.

I spent a bit of time exploring the New York Times app – something of a Times Lite called “Editor’s Choice” as their Kindle deal prevents them offering the full Times on the iPad yet – and it’s is very well done. It so easy and intuitive to touch on stories, pictures and video. Stories fill a whole screen making them as readable as a real paper – if this is how newspapers are going to look then I may never buy newsprint again. The BBC and NPR apps were equally impressive. Also, they were easy to read flat down like a real book or paper.

It already looks a mature and stable platform for games and video – again, so easy to launch and view, I can see this fitting in so easily at home (can I keep the kids off it – doubtful!) and it will be a great travel companion. The only real issue I’m going to have with the iPad is choice – there’s so much you can and want to do on it.

I spent some time typing on the on-screen keyboard and had no problem at all – in fact, if you;ve mastered the iPhone/Touch keyboard, this is a breeze.

I know there’s a lot of talk about lack of a camera, multi-tasking and so on. Some of that will be dealt with in the new iPhone 4.0 OS release later this year and future versions. The continued failure to support Flash is irritating and the lack of a camera is perhaps more puzzling than it is on the Touch as the iPad would clearly make a great video conferencing tool.

But right now, if digital media and the iTunes Eco-system is a big part of your life, I can’t think of a good reason why you wouldn’t want to buy this right now unless you absolutely have to wait for 3G. No it doesn’t do a lot of things a laptop does but this is not a laptop – it’s a whole new niche and its portability and ease of use, for me, make it more compelling and usable than a laptop.

Prices in Bermuda will start around $800 for the 16GB version.

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