On the iPad and ubiquitous media
Naturally, many geeks are writing up their thoughts on Apple’s new tablet tonight. Without being overwhelmingly detailed, here are mine.
I’m not unimpressed
In fact, I think the iPad is actually a big step toward the future we’ve been talking about for quite a while now. I also think that the major reason everyone’s so disappointed is that they were looking for a gimmick—like a camera, or wireless headphones, or a proximity sensitive display. But we’re just not there yet. This version’s a starting point.
For starters, look at how cheap it is: if the iPad were bleeding edge (like the iPhone was), it would be a lot more expensive. This time around, Apple’s more interested in satisfying demand than serving early adopters (which is also probably why they’ve brought more and more of the manufacturing and hardware design in-house).
No; instead, this is the interface that no one knows they want yet—for checking email and browsing the internet; for weeknights after work or for weekend couch-lounging. Moreover, I think that the next iteration of the iPhone OS (4.0) is going to unlock a lot of the *really* interesting features (e.g., a better lock screen, multi-tasking, “one more thing”). Right now I’m imagining something along the lines of the 3Com Audrey, but wireless, well executed, and with better timing and targeting (to yuppie millennials instead of families).
Ubiquitous data access
What really gets me excited, however, is the 3G data connection. Apple realizes that omnipresent Wi-Fi is a pipe dream and isn’t coming fast enough, and that 3G is the only means toward ubiquitous data access (in fact, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the 3G chip was also 4G-compatible). From here, it’s a small step (i.e. software upgrades) to leverage other devices like the Apple TV and desktop Macs for the purposes of accessing and controlling their content remotely. I think Apple’s recent acquisition of Lala points in this direction.
Consider this for a second: what if all of your music, movies, documents, pictures, etc. could exist in the cloud? If you’re like me, there’s a good chance that your email, calendar and contacts are already there. But, if all of my media were also in the cloud, I wouldn’t need my terabyte backup drive for anything but… backups (which, in turn, I wouldn’t need for anything but my own peace of mind). Now, think about how much closer the iPad actually takes us to making that cloud dream a reality.
That’s the significant part of today’s announcement.
That’s what got Steve Jobs so giddy and excited.
On the whole
Even though I’m somewhat underwhelmed by the design of this new device, what with its thick and toylike display margin (I guess the thumbs have to go somewhere), and goofy-looking home screen whitespace; I’m incredibly compelled by the potential of the platform. For most of my life, I’ve been wondering what interfaces and media consumption will look like in twenty years, but seeing that clip of Star Trek on the iPad was the first time I’ve ever thought we were getting close.
