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Monday, April 05, 2010

iPad Observations

OK, I know that everybody and their brother is blogging their opinions of the new iPad and this sure ain't no Wall Street Journal or USA Today but, if you want the perspective of a long-time computer geek, graphic designer, and Apple enthisiast, here ya go.

Uncluttered

My first impression of the iPad is that it feels like a computer, without the clutter. I'm sure that someone will create an app or OS update that will allow you to litter your desktop with randomly sized windows that waste space just as efficiently as a desktop computer but, for now, the neat rows of app icons and full-screen only operation feels like the computer equivalent of having a maid that follows your around, cleaning up after you, so that your space never has a chance to get messy.

Detailed

Being an iPhone user made the iPad experience both familiar and alien at the same time. Of course the basic set up is the same but, unlike the tiny iPhone apps, each app on the iPad is so amazingly detailed that it's every bit as useful as a program on a "real" computer. Even apps that don't have a limitless amount of data to display (like maps) benefit from the extra screen space by enhancing their offerings with texture, shading and other subtle elements that add a welcome richness.

Apps

Forget everything that you've heard about the thousands of iPhone apps that already work on the iPad. It's true - they work fine, and it's nice to see them bigger, but this bit of backwards-compatibility is about bit as handy as having a VCR hooked up to your HDTV. Apps that look great on the iPhone's little screen either look blurry or blocky on the iPad (the 1x mode, that puts tiny iPhone apps in the center of the screen, is far too awkward to be useful, in my opinion). Not having to do without your favorite app is great but, once you've enjoyed full-resolution iPad apps, they're the only apps that seem appealing in the store.

Sadly, the app store experience is just as tedious on the iPad as it is on the iPhone. Each time you download an app, you're kicked out of the store and, when you launch again, you go back to the first page of the category that you were browsing. You might want to use iTunes, on the computer, to download multiple apps at once (eg. to get all of the free apps, when you first start loading up your iPad).

Beware of the difference in app prices - programs that sell for $1 for the iPhone start around $5 for the iPad and there aren't nearly as many free "lite" versions available. Still, they're far cheaper than apps for desktop or laptop computers.

e-Books & iBooks

Lacking an e-ink display (and the amazing battery life that comes with it) precludes the iPad from being a true Kindle killer but the stale, page-sliding interface of the Kindle app, on the iPad, leaves much to be desired next to the iBook reading experience, with it's book-like pages, life-like 3D page-turning, and other animated effects.

User Interface

After having used the iPad, I remain as convinced as ever that multi-touch screens will replace mice and keyboards, though I'm not convinced that the note-pad form-factor is the ultimate in ergonomics. Just as prolonged use of a laptop can cause discomfort, you can expect neck cramps from staring down at your iPad (it's heavy enough that it will eventually end up flat on the table, couch or floor). Though it may lack the convenience and mobile sex-appeal of the iPad, I can't wait to see a multi-touch 27" iMac and the amazing touch-screen apps that could run on a full power desktop computer!

Typing

I don't really type, but my two-finger hunt-and-peck works much better on the iPad than the iPhone, to the point that I no longer feel like typing is a chore. I'd be far more likely to write an e-mail or blog post on the iPad than it's smaller antecedent. That said, an external keyboard (attached or bluetooth) would still be essential for serious writing, since typing a whole paper or story with an on-screen keyboard is just asking for an RMI.

Conclusion

All the things that you love to do on your iPhone or computer are more fun on the iPad. It can't do everything that a laptop can but, if your mobile computing needs are modest, the iPad's smaller size, easier access and longer battery life give it the potential to be your device of choice - especially when traveling. Since an iPhone (or other smart-phone) is basically a pocket computer, you can't beat it's convenience, but the luxuriously large screen of the iPad (and the high definition apps it runs) is simply a joy to use.

If you remain skeptical about the iPads allure, then all you have to do is try one, and you'll understand why people are so in love with it.

Brian Northway
Designer, Animator
TechRestore

Labels: Apple, iPad, observation, opinion, review, thoughts

link to this post posted by Brian@TechRestore @ 4/05/2010 01:23:00 PM

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Monday, April 05, 2010

iPad Observations

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