iPadless

So, unless you been living under a rock, you know that Apple released their newest "gadget", the iPad. Without going into to much detail that you get from going over their website - I'm just going to go into my thoughts about this release. To be completely honest, I wasn't excited about the "Apple Tablet". I was more interested to see if anything would be released in the iPhone department. Turns out - I got what I wished for - but in the WRONG way. To be blunt, the iPad is a just a LARGER version of the iPod Touch / iPhone. There is no difference. Sure you can tell me that they have eBooks, better performance and blah blah blah - however when it comes down to it - it's just a larger, faster version of the iPhone/ iPod Touch. Here is why I'm little frustrated with this release.

1. NO BACKGROUND APPLICATIONS?

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OK - Apple, your trying to market this for people as a middle gap between the iPhone and the Macbook. However - its still running the iPhone OS - which means you can only run one application at a time. Imagine buying a Netbook for $500 and having them you can only use one application at time. I can understand when this happens on the iPhone, because after all, its a PHONE. This is a more than phone - but it still has the restrictions like the iPhone? The hardware can support it - they just didn't add it in - very disappointing. It's a game changer.

2. BUT I HAVE A iPHONE AND A MACBOOK....
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Image from humedini on Flickr

Then you have no need for it. Seriously - if you need a bigger screen - use your Macbook. On the go? Use your iPhone. The iPad would just collect dust - no need for it. 

3. FLASH
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If you claim that device is going to be used by the casual user, on their bed or couch, and your browsing experience is the best - then you NEED flash. I can understand there is no flash on the iPhone - because its a phone - but according to you Apple - this is more than a phone. It's going to create GAPPING holes in webpages. If your browsing a blog and they have embedded content from an online video, your out of luck. My guess is that this has to do with battery life - but it's pretty embarrassing when you see a "plugin" error show up when your doing the demo at the Apple Event on NYT.  

Of course some of these appear to software fixes - which might come in play later on with new updates - but there is not excuse to release a good solid baseline product.

So, will I be ordering this device? No. I can spend a lot less for a coffee table book, which is where the iPad would sit. C'mon Apple - make us happy and show us the new iPhone, or perhaps iPhone 4.0?