Thoughts on the iPad. Why it's more than a tablet
Apple even when faced with one of the most blatant rumor leaks ever, still managed to impress the world today with it's announcement of the iPad. Minuets after the announcement both Mashable and Engadget crawled due to excessive traffic. I too was overtaken by my familiar Apple announcement excitement, continually refreshing every source I could cling too. But what does it mean, getting past the hype, how will the iPad affect the digital world? Here are my thoughts:
We very often focus on the device that Apple releases, it's specs, it's artistic shell. What is overlooked is how Apple historically wins favor based on quality and user experience and less on it's sex appeal. People switched to Mac not only because it was sexy and new, but it was easy to use and did not have the problems of a common PC. Steve from the very beginning had a focus on controlling the experience of each and every user very tightly. The years in Steve's absence was the first time I ever felt frustrated with an Apple machine. Magically, Steve and the Apple team has tightly controlled the user experience of each and every device they released and the iPad will be no different.
Tablets have existed, many more powerful and functional prior to the iPad. So what will make the iPad win, assuming it does. The iPad introduces a concept started with the iPhone and now propagating further, and that is the App store. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to avoid conversations about new App's in the App store, best App's, and jokingly App's that can do everything even brush my teeth. Now with the iPad we wont just have fun, cute, and sometimes functional mobile App's we will have more robust productivity App's.
This software distribution method is truly innovative. Apple I would say was not the first. My first flirtation with this method of purchase, distribution, and maintenance of software was created, I believe, by Valve in the video game industry with their Steam product. Steam was a way to manage all the games you purchased from Valve, their updates, and games of their partners. It was awesome, no CD, no worrying about updates or where and which machine they were installed. You received news on new games, and games you likely will enjoy. The iPad I believe is going to be the expansion of this method into not only the world of entertainment but also business and productivity. I've already planned a way to use the iPad for my recently started boutique winery representation business to manage profiles and inventory.
The App store is just one example of how it's not just the device, it's the experience. One of the lesser known and utilized products from Apple and arguable one of the most impressive is the AppleTV. This product too wins based on usability; plug it in, enter your WEP password if you have one, and enjoy. Undying pride, and perseverance has forced Steve Jobs style and vision into each and every device.
Some forecasting: as I said I believe the iPad will find a place in business and productivity, I hope, but I hoped this even with the Xserve and partnerships with Oracle. I expect more flavors to surface. I believe the iPad will start to become an eReader device of choice. Expect some lawsuits, Fujitsu? I believe the ability to drive external devices will become a common request and Apple will need to facilitate the ability to install device drivers ( experienced this with www.LivingSCAN.com and reason we did not go with the iPhone ). Finally, I expect the launch of the next iPhone to be the biggest yet..... Can't wait
We very often focus on the device that Apple releases, it's specs, it's artistic shell. What is overlooked is how Apple historically wins favor based on quality and user experience and less on it's sex appeal. People switched to Mac not only because it was sexy and new, but it was easy to use and did not have the problems of a common PC. Steve from the very beginning had a focus on controlling the experience of each and every user very tightly. The years in Steve's absence was the first time I ever felt frustrated with an Apple machine. Magically, Steve and the Apple team has tightly controlled the user experience of each and every device they released and the iPad will be no different.
Tablets have existed, many more powerful and functional prior to the iPad. So what will make the iPad win, assuming it does. The iPad introduces a concept started with the iPhone and now propagating further, and that is the App store. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to avoid conversations about new App's in the App store, best App's, and jokingly App's that can do everything even brush my teeth. Now with the iPad we wont just have fun, cute, and sometimes functional mobile App's we will have more robust productivity App's.
This software distribution method is truly innovative. Apple I would say was not the first. My first flirtation with this method of purchase, distribution, and maintenance of software was created, I believe, by Valve in the video game industry with their Steam product. Steam was a way to manage all the games you purchased from Valve, their updates, and games of their partners. It was awesome, no CD, no worrying about updates or where and which machine they were installed. You received news on new games, and games you likely will enjoy. The iPad I believe is going to be the expansion of this method into not only the world of entertainment but also business and productivity. I've already planned a way to use the iPad for my recently started boutique winery representation business to manage profiles and inventory.
The App store is just one example of how it's not just the device, it's the experience. One of the lesser known and utilized products from Apple and arguable one of the most impressive is the AppleTV. This product too wins based on usability; plug it in, enter your WEP password if you have one, and enjoy. Undying pride, and perseverance has forced Steve Jobs style and vision into each and every device.
Some forecasting: as I said I believe the iPad will find a place in business and productivity, I hope, but I hoped this even with the Xserve and partnerships with Oracle. I expect more flavors to surface. I believe the iPad will start to become an eReader device of choice. Expect some lawsuits, Fujitsu? I believe the ability to drive external devices will become a common request and Apple will need to facilitate the ability to install device drivers ( experienced this with www.LivingSCAN.com and reason we did not go with the iPhone ). Finally, I expect the launch of the next iPhone to be the biggest yet..... Can't wait
Labels: apple, appletv, apps, appstore, ereader, functionality, ipad, iphone, keynote, launce, productivity, steve jobs, valve
