As many of you know Apple announced their much rumored tablet computing platform the iPad. There were rumors upon rumors upon rumors leading up to this announcement many of which were absurd (solar charging, etc.). What shocked me the most however is how the device didn't live up to even the most modest of expectations and in many ways embodied a product that many tech-heads do not want.
Steve Jobs made the argument for a third computing platform that sat between a smart phone and a laptop. He further added that netbooks were thought to be that gap filler but he snidely mentioned that they were nothing more than cheap laptops that were underpowered and ran clunky PC software. Lastly he mentions that for a new platform to be successful or even needed it would have to do certain tasks best, of which I agree. The problem is that I don't think that the iPad meets those criteria.
It runs a version of the iPhone OS and not a full version of Mac OS X, which is an immediate identifier to most that this is already more of a consumer electronics device rather than a full fledged computer that many hoped it would be. Touch is important and perhaps OS X isn't designed for it but the fact remains that the scope of the iPhone OS is a hindrance for growth in this new form factor. Is that limitation by design though? Is this device aimed more at the casual user someone who doesn't need nor want a full computing experience? Many Apple fans would have you believe so and it's possible they are correct. Apple has always centered around ease of use and bringing technology to people who wouldn't otherwise use it and make it simple. I get that very impression when looking at the iPad: simple. We have to remember that simplicity is both a good and bad thing depending greatly on who you are, what you expect and what you want to do.
That begs the question then of who is this device for? If we presume the non tech crowd then it is fine as they likely already have an iPod at the very least and can pick up how to use this quickly not having to concern themselves with the details of running a full computer. I believe that many were envisioning a tablet from Apple that would be a true revolution and not an evolution from the iPhone/iPod Touch and were greatly let down. I think it would be fantastic if it was a little more powerful and it doesn't need a full desktop OS to accomplish this but it does need a bit more function to appeal to both crowds.
Perhaps we can see this happen in version 2. Until then I look forward to what this product will accomplish but more importantly what products it will inspire from other companies to fill the obvious gap left behind by Apple.
everything I could about it. With Its main competitor being the iPod Touch, Microsoft knew that they would have to release something incredible. The good news is that they have but there is a catch. That catch being that while the Zune HD trumps the iPod Touch in music and video playback it also fails to realize that people have come to expect more from their handheld devices. More functionality and value is required if they are carrying around yet another piece of tech. 
post. One of the features that interests me is the social networking aspects. Nothing specific was mentioned but ties to Facebook were evident in the screenshots, which makes me wonder if they would have iTunes able to update your status with what is currently playing. That is a fairly simple example that is mimicked in IM clients. I would like to see them really push the potential and perhaps have you able to stream your library or set playlists with Facebook friends as you can with people on your own LAN, just now over the Internet with select people you choose. That would be something truly innovative and really add a lot to the way we discover and enjoy music.
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