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.
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