Apple's latest gizmo, which it calls "a magical and revolutionary product at an unbeatable price," is receiving widespread press, both good and bad — with the differences in perspective being as much a matter of intended usage as it is of technology.
Some observers, such as The Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg, seem enamored of the device, admiring its feature set and claiming that as a content viewing device, it out kindles Kindle and provides several advantages over the laptops and netbooks it targets on one end and the Smartphone devices (such as Apple's own iPhone) on the other end.
Mossberg also opines that the device is a better content appreciation platform than it is a content creation system — an assessment that few users may argue with — but also looks forward to a slew of exciting new apps slated for the device, which will unlock its true potential as a "game changer."
"If people see the iPad mainly as an extra device to carry around, it will likely have limited appeal," Mossberg noted. "If, however, they see it as a way to replace heavier, bulkier computers much of the time — for web surfing, email, social-networking, video- and photo-viewing, gaming, music and even some light content creation — it could be a game changer the way Apple's iPhone has been."
Of course, WSJ is offering a discounted online subscription to its hallmark imprint exclusively for iPad users, so clearly, the company's view of the device and its overall importance transcends the launch of yet another electronic gadget. And WSJ isn't alone, as major television networks including ABS and CBS plan to tailor content exclusively for iPad users — complete with commercial breaks.
But iPad users won't be watching those new shows using Adobe's ubiquitous Flash technology, which underpins much of the video content currently on the Internet, due to the iPad's lack of support for this popular but proprietary video system — a major source of contention for the device's critics.
Such as PCMag writer Lance Ulanoff who summed it up succinctly by saying "Get a grip, folks. The product's release will be exciting, but the iPad — and other tablets like it — won't change your lives."
"The Apple iPad is a laptop without a keyboard. Got it?" Ulanoff wrote. "It's not some futuristic 'god-like' device that will change our lives."
Ulanoff also questioned the glowing predictions of enhanced advertising interactivity and effectiveness on the device — something touted today by ad execs everywhere, saying, "The only difference is that the ads will be inside a page that looks like the mutant offspring of an unholy marriage between [websites] and traditional print magazines."
It is this bastardization of viewing paradigms that Apple hopes to avoid, however, through its heavy-handed control over the iPad and its apps — a level of control that may hinder as much as help its adoption in the face of competitive offers — such as Google's much-anticipated Chrome-powered touch screen tablet, which benefits from a much more adult-friendly Open Source architecture.
"While Apple wants to move computing to a curated environment where everything adheres to a carefully honed interface, Google believes that the operating system should be nearly invisible," wrote Wired.com's Steven Levy.
Levy discussed the evolution of the graphical user interface (GUI), such as is used by Mac and Windows systems, to the NUI or natural user interface, which relies on touch and voice recognition. The iPad and similar devices are stepping-stones along this path.
And stylish stepping-stones at that — a factor that may ultimately drive the device's success.
"Of course, the netbook was supposed to replace the laptop and be used by millions around the world. Forget the netbook. It's a slow, clunky piece of junk," says ngmoco:) CEO Neil Young. "Do I want to look like the guy who couldn't afford a real computer or the guy who went to the future and brought back a device that's as cool as I imagine I am?"
Being cool is what the iPad may be all about — but it remains up to consumers to decide if "being cool" is enough.
While the iPad is certainly not for everyone and lacks some substantial features, it will doubtlessly suit countless consumers who need to tote more than an iPhone but less than a laptop. Consumers who will soon have other choices beyond those offered by Apple.
