On occasion I like to take some time to think about a new product before I post my thoughts. I usually get better results when I wait a few days to read and ponder. I have waited a few days to write down some thoughts about the just announced Apple iPad. I want to reflect on the device as a business tool.
Form factor. If you ask me it looks like a big iPhone. It is not the first tablet PC. There have been plenty in thhe market for many years with very little success. The biggest problem with a tablet is the poor position to hold it while you are typing. You almost need to stoop over it to type unless you do the two thumb procedure. You better have big hands to use your thumbs. For just web browsing or data perusal it would be a good form factor for a short period of usage. It is thin at just 1/2 inch thickness and most of the front is glass. I cannot imagine that I would carry this anymore beyond my home or office. Breaking my phone or notebook make me nervous enough.
Limitations. Based on published reports it will not include Adobe Flash so that rules out watching streaming video from Hulu, TV.com, or any number of other sites. You would need to limit your video media to downloaded podcasts or purchased iTunes programs and movies. That is a shame. The other limiting factor is the same that afflicts the iPhone – it will only run one application at a time. There are a couple of exceptions much like the iPhone, but most applications will only run one-at-a-time.
The name. I hate to judge someone else’s marketing decision, but there had to be a better name out there. I understand that iPad is similar to iPod, but iPad is just rife with parody.
It would be neat to use an iPad while watching television or in a meeting, but I cannot imagine much use beyond those tasks. It would have very little substantial application in the business environment.