My thoughts on the iPad

Ok, so today I got to actually use an iPad. I’ll have to say, it’s a beautiful machine, and it’s fun to use. Using the browser was far better than I could have expected, fast, smooth and easy to use. However the lack of flash was a real problem. It’s hard to ignore something as widely used as flash at this stage of the internet. Now, I’m all for html5 (and I’m glad to see the iPad sparking that movement) but let’s face it. I can’t do anything online without flash. This creates a problem. Instead of migrating towards a future of universal web applications, I feel as though Apple is pushing development backwards. All these great developers and designers are using their great talent on iPad apps when they could be using their time to create a better web experience. I won’t even go into the absurdly expensive prices for the iPad apps.

While using the iPad, the home/lock screen comes off as a lazy rip from the iPhone. With all this great screen real estate, why does it have an awkwardly placed unlock slider? Where are my widgets showing me my email, texts, and weather? The home screen itself is oddly strange in that the apps are placed really far apart from each other and the entire experience seems extremely broken to me. This could have been their chance to take advantage of such a great screen and all the possibilities of the layout. 

The lack of a front facing camera is plain stupid. The possibilities with a camera like that are endless. The portability and shape of the iPad would have been perfect for life-like video chatting. The lack of multi-tasking is also one of those key factors that makes you wonder if Apple’s goal is to make people furious. I mean come on, how could this thing ever replace a netbook when you are tied down to a jumbo-iPod touch?

While using it, there were some pleasant things. The photo gallery is simply stunning and I could really see this being used by photographers or designers to show off their work in a more intimate way. 

I will have to say though, that the concept is really awesome, but the execution is so-so. In my opinion the iPad is a fun thing to have lying around the living room or bathroom.