I understand there are plenty of voices out there with varying opinions on Apple’s new iPad, announced yesterday. For some inexplicable reason I want to voice my opinions too! Hey, I’m a nerd, I’m allowed to voice my opinion on matters such as these because I’m somewhat knowledgeable. That, and I’m a consumer of technology so my opinion does indeed matter.

Interface & Input

My first thought on the iPad is: looks neat. Really, it does. I think this style of computing could be the future. Now I know what you’re saying. You’re saying it’s been tried before, most notably by Microsoft, and it never took off. Well, a couple things regarding this point:

1. Digital MP3 players didn’t take off until Apple released one with a good interface.
2. Smartphones didn’t really take off until Apple released one with a good interface.

See the theme? Good interfaces. And this is yet again the difference that Apple has created with the iPad when compared to all other tablet-style computers that have come out before. If there’s one thing Apple is really good at, it’s interfaces. Sure, their interfaces might not hold up under the test of time when newer ideas and technology comes out, but when Apple does release new interfaces for products, usually it’s either groundbreaking in some manner.

And that’s where the iPad shines whereas previous Windows-based tablets never took off. They designed the interactions of the software around the input style of multitouch with contextual keyboards. The Windows-based tablets were just touch capabilities tacked on to the existing Windows platform, which didn’t work because the existing Windows platform was designed for a keyboard and mouse. The iPad’s interface is totally redesigned from normal computing. That, and it’s based off of the iPhone’s advances, which uses the same touch interface so they had a base of success to start with here.

Revolutionary? I think this is the start of a new wave of computing. Interacting more intuitively with technology is the way to go. I can just imagine humankind eventually getting to the style of computing seen in Minority Report and other movies that show more physically-based interactions with technology than using peripherals. I like the idea of using an iPad in the manner shown, as well as the keyboard attachment because it will likely be necessary at times.

E-Books

So let’s move on to the whole e-books concept. I got Laura a Kindle for Christmas because I knew she’d like it and she loves to read. I won’t get into the many reasons I got her the Kindle beyond that. I knew at the time of the rampant rumors surrounding Apple’s mythical tablet device and decided that I didn’t think the Kindle would be killed. So will it?

No, I don’t think so. First of all, the iPad will use DRM-enabled books like the Kindle does. Secondly, the Kindle is function-specific. Sure, the iPhone is multifunction as well and that’s one of the successful pieces of it. I’m sure it will be the same way with the iPad. But the Kindle is also much cheaper and will likely get cheaper still with the iPad announcement.

One other thing that the Kindle has going for it: the e-ink display. I know some people don’t like the refresh of an e-ink display, but e-ink requires no backlight. As a result, it is much better on the eyes. Additionally, the Kindle’s battery life is phenomenal compared to the iPad, again in part because of the lack of a backlight. And if the books are all available on the Kindle as well, it will always have a market.

I think the only way the Kindle dies out entirely is if books aren’t available on it but are for the iPad. I’m pretty sure that’s the only way that will happen. People want these devices for their content, so where the content is the device sales will go. I, for one, hope that books keep coming out on the Kindle so Laura can keep getting them. Even if they’re available on both systems, because the Kindle is smaller and easier on the eyes. Laura can carry it in her purse, but couldn’t with the iPad.

One more thing about e-books. There’s talk of textbooks appearing in the iBookstore for the iPad. If that’s the case and my textbooks starting this fall are actually available for the device, that may prompt be to buy it, so long as I can do book-like things with them, like bookmarks, highlighting, notes, etc. My textbooks for this spring semester weren’t available on the Kindle, but an older edition of one of them was, for $110 less. That’s why I want textbooks on a digital reader. Cheaper and much more portable.

Judging by what I saw of the book-related functionality, that seems almost like an add-on, “Oh, let’s try and take this market over too!” thing. The book-related functionality was definitely not the focus. I don’t necessarily think it was an afterthought, but Apple doesn’t seem intent on taking it over in quite the same way they’ve taken music over. But ultimately, who knows. Maybe they want to pwn Amazon after all.

Wifi & 3G

I find the whole $130 more to get 3G abilities a bit much. If I were to get one, I’m not sure I’d opt for the 3G capabilities. Not when I have an iPhone too, anyway. I can just tether it. But the pricing on the 3G monthly rates is good, especially with the lack of a contract.

Name

Yeah, the name sucks. They need a new one but it won’t happen. Oh well. I think even iAwesomeness would have been better…

Price

I touched on the 3G price hike a bit, but at $499 for the base model, that’s phenomenal given what you actually get for the iPad. And the iWork apps for $10 each is an excellent value as well. I’d probably opt for the mid- to high-range storage capacities myself, si”d spend anywhere from $600-$700 on an iPad. I guess I’d consider the 3G connectivity a little bit, but I just don’t see the pressing need for it… Although now just thinking about it, enabling tethering on the iPhone is expensive with AT&T, so maybe I’d pony up the $130.

Final Thoughts

Yeah, I like it. Enough that I’d consider getting an iPad over a MacBook Pro, which is what I want my next technology purchase to be so I have a more portable laptop than my current behemoth. I don’t really need an MBP, so an iPad might fit the bill for the kinds of things I’d want to use it for. Like I said, if this fall rolls around and my textbooks are available on the iPad, and significantly cheaper to purchase for it than in print… Likely I would become a new iPad owner.