Is the iPad ahead of it's time or is it the beginning of a new form factor for content consumption?
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$4 Answers
How will we use it? Do we really need it? Does the world really need it?
Today, we're still about 5 days away from the iPad being released and likely about a month away from those who have pre-ordered the device figuring out how it will change their lives. Will it become the quintessential couch computer, a simple eBook reader, or something more? Until the unit is in the hands of the people who will use it, we won't know the answers to these questions.
What we know is that the form factor works. People enjoy their Kindle eBook Readers and we know that people would like a device that does a little more. From movies, to music to simple video, we see the opportunity that a device like the iPad can foster.
I think that in the end, the screen will win out. People simply want a larger screen on their mobile devices and that's exactly what the iPad is. Until eInk or portable projection are at a point where they are portable and useful, devices such as the iPad will fill a void.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
> Until the unit is in the hands of the people who will use it, we won't know the answers to these questions.
This is very true.
Tech often takes a surprising turn when users get hold of it. The cellphone companies never realised texting would be huge, and Apple didn't realise that apps would be such a big deal on the iPhone and iPod Touch.
But I can take an informed guess how things will go...
> Will it become the quintessential couch computer
I think yes.
People say "Oh but it's nothing more than a giant iPod Touch". Well I'd love a giant iPod Touch. It already is a very handy "couch computer". I already use it on the couch when I'm relaxing with the TV on. I can read newspapers, play games, etc etc. The only thing is in couch mode you needn't be confined to the limits of what will fit in your pocket, you could have a bigger device with a larger screen.
The only real question is whether it is worth $500. I think the answer to that will be the same as the answer to what people were asking about cellphones in 1995. Maybe it's too expensive for a lot of people now, maybe not everyone can see why they'd want one now. But as it gets cheaper and people see what it does for them, it'll probably end up everywhere.
Even if it doesn't happen with the iPad itself, I think the form factor for sure is a winner.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
It will take many years, I think, before we are ready to give up our books and magazines. That tactile feeling of turning pages is something we can't and shouldn't underestimate. For a while it will only be geeks reading content on the iPad/.
However, I do think that the iPad and its successors will be the lead of a revolution in the way we use computers.
What will drive us to use tablet computers? User Interfaces.
The way we have been using computers - keyboards and mice - is a kludgey, unhuman, disconnected way to use a device. Tablets before the iPad have just tried to replace touches in place of mouse clicks on a standard computer UI. In contrast, we've seen the way the market has accepted the iPhone/iPod Touch. People love it. They feel connected. The device moves, works and responds in a way that makes them feel good. They're not scared to use it that way many are with 'computers'.
The iPad, I think, will be the same. The bigger screen means that we'll be able to see move information on the screen at a time, and this will drive the touch paradigm forward in an accelerated fashion. In terms of the standard, out of the box, iPad apps, though, no, I don't see those as groundbreaking.
What will be 'the killer app' of the iPad? We'll have to wait and see, but I'm sure there will be one.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
