What I wish the Apple Tablet Was
Last night, I was secretly hoping this long-rumored Apple device was just a big hoax. Seriously, how funny would that have been if all the rumors were nothing but … rumors? But as Anton and I got to talking about it, we started imagining the purposes a keyboard-less, WiFi-enabled touchscreen might have in our daily lives, and I came to salivate for a device I hadn’t seen, and one I had never dreamed I’d need.
In our conversation, this tablet was a living room computer. A device owned jointly by all members of the family. It was sleek and svelte enough that you didn’t mind leaving it out when guests came over, and it didn’t seem rude to use in the middle of a conversation. With its large touch screen, it was a social computer. My son could play games on it. I could read an e-mail or two, or look up a recipe. We’d share.
With this in mind, the tablet had a built-in webcam. In my own house, my MacBook is often used to chat with faraway friends and family, and this device seemed perfect for that. The lack of keyboard was actually an advantage – nothing for small fingers to mash while talking to Grandma.
The tablet was also a picture frame when you set it in its streamlined charger, displaying family photos and even video as it recharged its batteries and downloaded the newest content.
The tablet served purely entertainment purposes, too – not as the screen for watching videos, but for selecting them, then streaming the music, movie, television show or YouTube clip to my large-screen for communal viewing. The tablet was a remote control, allowing me to play and pause the action on the large LCD screen and surround sound system I already own.
Of course, we expected it to have books and magazines, too. Who hasn’t dreamed about the amazing content possibilities presented in the demo below?
What this tablet is is something different. It’s a threat to Wacom tablets. It’s an iPhone for AT&T haters, or those with poor vision. It’s definitely a new gaming platform. It’s much-needed encouragement for traditional publishers to think beyond the printed page. It’s also an underpowered laptop minus a keyboard. But ultimately, it’s a disappointment. I’m waiting for the next version.
Dear Dave,
Although I agree with your point, I must confess that I am not completely disappointed yet with Apple’s latest release. Here are ten things I think the iPad v1 is:
1) A new reason for “stylish” men to buy a man-bag.
2) Certainly a reason for my wife to buy a bigger purse.
3) A reason for me to wait for v2 or v3 – hence the iPod / iPhone took a few versions before it became a very good, useful device.
4) A very expensive serving tray.
5) One more thing for QA testers to be worried about.
6) Certainly another item in most web professionals checklist. “Shoot, this looks terrible on the iPad”
7) A reason not to enter the Apple store for the next 6 months.
8) Certainly a reason to see how Apple will attack their competitors on TV and Web ads.
9) Another device to forget to transfer all my music and videos to.
10) Conversation starter. As usual, we can always guarantee that Apple will release something every quarter for people to talk about as they ride the elevator.
Posted on Jan 28, 2010.