GuruBob's Blog: My Thoughts On The Apple iPad

By now, if you haven't been asleep for the past 12 hours, you have probably seen or heard of the forthcoming release of the Apple iPad. It is clear to me that Apple are trying to create a whole new class of mobile computing device and the iPad is positioned somewhere between the Ipod Touch and a MacBookPro laptop computer.

As an unabashed Apple fan, I have to say from the outset that I want one now (but I'll have to wait 2 - 3 months) even though there are some aspects of the device that didn't meet my expectations. And I suspect that most of the people that are publishing negative comments right now are also suffering from a disconnect between their expectations and the reality.

Some of the things that are missing from the device (that I would have liked to see included) are:

No Camera
No multi-tasking
No flash (but I suspect that this will become a non-issue with HTML 5)
No reported tethering with an iPhone (although they haven't yet said it won't)
Limited connectivity with external devices

In fact the device is much closer to a large iPod Touch than small laptop (and I was hoping for the later).

But you know what...it doesn't matter. This device will be amazing to use and to consume content. I can already foresee that I will much prefer to peruse email, web, video, books, music on this device over any other device I currently own including the iPhone. The fact is I know I want to navigate and access that content using my finger as a navigation device because I love that aspect of the iPhone. And the larger form factor and that beautiful screen is going to make the content look beautiful. And when the app developers start creating apps designed for and taking advantage of the iPads larger screen and speed (this baby is fast from all accounts) then any shortcomings are going to disappear.

I remember well the shortcomings of the 1st iPhone and I'm sure there will be some with the iPad, there always is for a first release and who could expect it to be different. But the advantages are going to far outweigh the disadvantages.

I just know I'm going to love this device and I can't wait to buy one!