29 January 2010 ~ Comments

Did Apple Go Too Far with the iPad?

Apple Business Mobile Technology

Apple iPad (from www.apple.ca)Those who know me know that I have been a fan of Apple for a while now, and although I’m not of fanboy status, I’m usually pretty pro-mac and am proud to be a Mac user. However, Apple has been doing something that has continually irked me for a while now, and it is that Apple gives the perception that they hold back. Allow me to explain with some examples:

Apple Macbook Unibody (October 2008): This was majorly hyped and people were looking forward to having a powerhouse compact laptop (The Powerbook G4 had been gone for too long by then). However, with the exclusion of firewire and the SD card slot, it was not the ‘perfect’ laptop to date for media producers looking for somethign on the run. Both of those technologies were already old at the time, meaning Apple chose not to put them in. 6 months later, lo and behold, they rename it the Macbook Pro and have both those things. The argument that they went with a market reaction is ridiculous because even a dumb student like me could see how it would be beneficial to have those two inputs.

Apple iPhone 3G (June 2008): This was hoped to be a major revision from the original iPhone, which had terrific potential but lacked mainstream smartphone options such as 3G, Video, and Copy and Paste (are they serious?). Yet, they only hit 1 out of the 3 things. Qik had already proven video to be possible on the original iPhone via Jailbreak, and copy and paste had been on other fruit-named smartphones for almost a decade. So why the hold up? Again, Apple was definitely capable, but they chose not to add those features until the 3GS hit a year later, attempting to astound us with ‘brand new’ features. Not cool, Apple.

Apple iPod Photo (October 2004): My memory is a bit hazy here so I may be reaching a bit, but I’m pretty sure people liked to watch videos back then, and I’m pretty sure Archos was already kicking ass with portable video technology. So why the heck did it take not one, but two more revisions before the iPod Video ‘blew’ us all away? Ugh.

Which brings us to the i (already-an-old-joke-with-its-stupid-name) Pad. Unlike others, I do think it’s going to be a big deal over time. After all, creating a new market is not an overnight task. But why, oh why are they holding back once again? I can understand that they don’t have multi-tasking support or flash – it hasn’t been done on the iPhone yet and perhaps there are technological hiccups. I can understand why they chose to go with a 4:3 screen instead of the much more popular 16:9 widescreen – to make it easier for iPhone developers to port their apps over. I can even understand the dumb name – for every Wii that is sold gives Apple more reason for iPads to exist. But what I don’t understand is the lack of camera and built-in USB or SD slots. The technology has clearly been proven with the iPhone (camera) and Macbook Air (pop-down USB slot to keep it thin) so what in the heck are they waiting for?

My only explanation is that it’s a business decision and by leaving those features out, they can grab the fanboys and early adopters, while getting them to crave for a new one again along with the consumers who will purchase it for function in the next revision. I’m not a betting man but would you really want to bet against me if I said that the iPad Video or iPad Snap would be announced 10 months from now? It’s a bit disturbing to me as a technology enthusiast – the idea of companies holding back the latest and the greatest to get more sales, but I can’t explain it any other way. I would love to be wrong about this and if you are a computer or tech guru of some sort, I am begging you to shut me up with some specs on why a camera just isn’t do-able right now. Am I so naive as to think Apple are the only ones doing it? No. But please don’t make it so damn obvious! This is why even though I love Apple products, I will never truly be a fan boy.

Do you think that Apple has gone too far with these blatant omissions? What do you think the reason is? And the four hundred and ninety nine dollar question: will you still be getting one in three months?

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  • The iPad is meant for a whole new segment of users...think about it...your mom, dad, grandparents, etc. Those are the people that would benefit from the iPad for what it's meant to do. No more worrying about how to use a computer, or dealing with maintenance--the iPad is just there. Instant on/off, simple one app at a time management. It's brilliant for what it is.

    The expectations of what "should" be in the iPad was created by us. Apple can choose its own fate. If people don't want the iPad, they won't buy it. However, the iPad is going to sell millions. There's no other company out there that has created a tablet device that's so easy to use.

    Check my blog www.iPadinCanada.ca for more expert analysis. :)
  • Sam
    I don't disagree with anything you say. My point is purely questioning if Apple is holding back things they know will be successful just so that after the millions pour in for Rev1, they roll out Rev2 and we get suckered again.
  • John
    Re why no camera. If you mean a point & shoot, you would look ridiculous pointing this big slab to take a picture--get the iPhone or a real camera. If you mean a Webcam for iChat, several reasons: The angle will be wrong. Resting flat the lens shoots up your nostril. Holding it in front of you will tie up your hands and tire them--though I suppose you can prop it in a dock. But the main reason I think is battery life--video conferencing is processor intensive and will drain power. Assuming they eventually solve these issues, the main reason is they gotta save something for an upgrade path. Frustrating but that's the nature of the tech business.
  • Sam
    hey john, thanks for reading!

    i was referrin to the webcam. You bring up excellent points with the battery power and the angles.

    however, do you think they will come out with an embedded camera in the next revision? that's what i'm trying to get at,

    is apple just 'saving something' for the future? That's not too cool imho.

    Thanks for the read john!
  • First and foremost - nope, I will not be purchasing this first revision of the iPad. I was really looking forward to this release because I was planning on skipping over deciding between the Kindle and Nook and jumping straight to whatever Apple had up their sleeve. Why waste the money on an eReader when the overhyped messiah tablet would be able to take on the task while simultaneously curing world hunger (according to the hype rumors prior to the keynote). I'm a big Apple fan... I assume I toe the line of fanboy, but what's in a title?

    The iPad is like a bad blind date. Someone talks up your blind date like they're Megan Fox or Hayden Panettiere... and Ugly Betty shows up without any personality except for being a step below being legally crazy. Thumbs down.

    From a purely business perspective, Apple is smart. They're creating demand for a product... that will be upgraded relatively soon after its initial launch. This requires their consumers to pay one hell of a premium to still own the latest and greatest Apple product. This is incredibly frustrating! It is definitely blatant based on the features that are omitted from release. Copy/Paste. Really? Come on. They're going to keep doing it... and it's going to keep working for them. Damn it.

    Oh, and one more thing. Be on the lookout for the iPad Pro that will be announced in June that will have USB, SD, and a camera.
  • Sam
    Thanks for your comment!
    The iPad Pro is exactly what i'm referring to, just pro it up the first time!

    or..at least sell that you've done all you could to make it the best possible ipad at. this. time.
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