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iPad: in the flesh, first impressions

[ Updated: Read our full iPad Review ] So TJ Manotoc and I got to play around with the new Apple iPad this afternoon. We taped a short segment for TV Patrol for tomorrow’s airing and I got a solid hour with the iPad.

It’s one thing to learn about the specs and see tons of pictures and videos of it. It’s another thing if you can hold it and experience the device first-hand.

The whole excitement revolves around the user experience. A lot of people have had an idea how it works because of the iPhone and the iPod Touch interface but once you take that small screen and give it a nice 10-inch upgrade, it’s a huge difference. It’s like being introduced to a macro lens for the first time in the world of digital photography.

Photo credits @tjmanotoc

Just a couple of run-downs:

  • The iPad is thin and very light for its size and that’s going to be key if you’d be holding this device for several hours at a time. The aluminum finish at the back gives you ample texture for one-hand grip.
  • The screen is bright and the images are crisp but since it’s glossy, you get a little distracted by glare from light sources even if you’re indoors. That means you’ll need to crank up the brightness settings when needed.
  • The speed of the device is noticeably faster — I think almost twice that of the iPhone 3GS. It’s very snappy and loading apps or browsing pages and pages of eBooks is a breeze.
  • The capacitive touchscreen is remarkably sensitive and responsive — you still retain the same gestures as you would have with an iPod Touch so no big strokes are needed just because the screen is bigger.
  • The virtual keyboard is very simple but works quite well. I think it will be comfortable to use this for extensive blogging (though that has yet to be proven).

I’ve been telling myself again and again that this device is purely for content consumption but @tjmanotoc‘s typing test showed good promise for the iPad as a content creation device.

That short time with the iPad isn’t really enough but so far those are my first impressions. Having tried a number of tablet netbooks and touch-capable mobile internet devices (MIDs) in the past, my initial expectations of the iPad were met and in some occasions, even exceeded. Our TV Patrol segment tomorrow on the iPad answers the question (a challenge that Apple is taking on) — will the iPad replace the ever-popular netbooks?

[ Updated: Read our full iPad Review ]

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

53 Responses

  1. Avatar for Dan Richard Fernandez Dan Richard Fernandez says:

    Since IPad is still not yet available her in the Philippines, few apps are only available (exclude iBook), however, some big boys purchase prepaid loads for the US store hence can download apps for the US store.

  2. Avatar for Dan Richard Fernandez Dan Richard Fernandez says:

    I have the 32 GB IPad. Application wise, if you already have the IPod then it is not a necessity to buy it, however, if you’re a big boy who wants the latest toy, then IPad is for you. Downloadable apps (currently US store only) are great. Used it with our home wifi and its fast enough for me.

  3. Avatar for Lucky Lucky says:

    Will the iwork for ipad will be available for Philippine Users? please advice…

  4. Avatar for Marvin Paul Catalan Marvin Paul Catalan says:

    I’ve just bought my new iPad here in hong kong, yeah in hong kong!! @yuga nadownload mo n ba ung iBook app?

  5. Avatar for John John says:

    My boss show off his iPad yesterday, I think it’s cool. Not as big as I expected.

  6. Avatar for George George says:

    When will the iPad be available here in Manila? Got any idea?

    • Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

      @george – no word from Apple on local version but it’s going to be more expensive once it arrives in Manila due to prevailing customs and VAT charges.

  7. Avatar for George George says:

    When will the iPad be available in the Philippines? And can we assume the same price (499USD) converted using the prevailing x-rate?

  8. Avatar for anonymous anonymous says:

    wlang camera to? a big… disappointment.

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