Beyond honing in on what is lacking—that the iPad doesn’t have this and that, or that it would have been so much better if it were…something else—the most meaningful reactions are the ones about what to make for this device, like this from my web-developer buddy, Tom Printy, who tweeted:
A product that provokes people to view it as another compelling way to express themselves is, ultimately, a product that is desired. Complementing its User Experience Guidelines, the iPad quickly provoked gathering of its UI Conventions. And as long as it evolves, moves like this will evolve too. That’s because it excites people to create new content, targeted especially for that device and medium. To react to mostly what the iPad misses (or more negatively still, its ultimate miss as the ultimate tablet) misses the point: It’s Apple’s vision. And it’s one that again excites people to make content; to make art.
Thank you for viewing.
My initial reaction when I saw the Apple iPad was confusion. What functionality does this device offer over and above the Apple iPhone? And what market is Apple aiming this device at?
Bruce
NJ
Good questions. With your first, the size of the iPad’s screen is an apparent difference with the iPhone. The screen, as noted in the keynote demo, is oriented toward doing “key tasks” like surfing the web and images plus emailing. Maybe calling and more “functions” will be integrated later. Who knows? But also, why? Focusing now on a finite set of tasks for a product to help accomplish makes for a lean product, not a bloated one. The iPad was meant to be what it is. With this said, regarding your second question, it’s meant for anyone interested in experiencing a tablet device in contrast to a laptop and the iPhone. One type of audience, that a number of people see the iPad being useful to, are students, in getting to class to class and book to book and so on.
When the iPhone was announced, there was confusion too. That initial reaction turned into confidence. In giving the iPad a chance, time will tell.
Comment