What’s the deal with the Apple iPad?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief January 28, 2010 · 3 min read

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Just like many new releases from Apple, there market is divided between fans and haters. It’s actually normal. No single product can make a claim for 100% approval. So, what’s the deal with the Apple iPad?

Some say it’s crippled, underwhelming and whatnot. I agree, in the same way the iPhone and iPod Touch are crippled as well.

Here are my thoughts and feel free to add your own as well:

Steve doesn’t want the iPad to cannibalize Apple’s existing products. The iPad is somewhere between the Macbook, iPhone 3G and iPod Touch. It’s existence should not kill off or reduce sales of any of the other three devices. That is why Apple created the iPad that way. Steve wants you to have a reason to buy all of his toys.
Compromises, compromises. No USB ports? That thing drains battery life. No SD card slot? How else can they convince you to buy the 32GB and 64GB models? No webcam? Hey, Apple needs something to show for iPad 2G.
The choice of the iPhone OS 3.2 over OSX is pretty obvious. Steve’s been calling netbooks as slow-ass devices. Running the iPhone OS 3.2 on a 1GHz chip will be blazingly fast. It will be slow if it were on OSX — that’s for sure. Remember, it’s not just the CPU but the RAM as well. I imagine 512MB in there — not enough to give you a nice experience of OSX and all the memory-hog applications.
Absence of Flash support sucks but makes sense in terms of performance. Here’s a tip — load up a 24×24 FarmVille on your 1.6GHz Atom netbook and see how slow it is. Then try running YouTube HD as well and you’ll realize what I mean. Steve would rather scrap a feature just to make sure you don’t get that slow crappy experience. How else can you say it’s slow if it can’t even run it?
Remember the very first iPhone? It was EDGE, no 3G. Doesn’t support Flash. Yeah, even until now. No multi-tasking? The iPhone 3GS doesn’t do multi-tasking and people still bought it. The iPad may not be anything we imagined it to be but so was the very first iPod back in 2001. Oh wait, did you remember the transition from the grayscale iPod to the iPod Photo and then iPod Video?

This device is certainly just for early adopters, not the ones who are looking for the features and functionalities found in regular tablet PCs. It will not fill a void or solve a productivity problem in the consumer market. It is not made to replace your netbook or laptop. Not even your iPod Touch for that matter. Apple is creating a device for a non-existent market and that’s the biggest challenge — can Apple carve that niche and make it grow in 3 to 5 years?

If there’s one place I want this iPad to sit — it will be inside my car. It will be the media hub replacing that old, clunky portable DVD player — music, movies, games, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and streetview maps. The kids at the back seat will love it.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

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 is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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164 Comments

Eros · 16 years ago

my bad! eto pala link just remove the quotation marks: “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0K8QPhs”.

Eros · 16 years ago

ok ok, OT lang para di naman masyadong serious.. watch this iPad parody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0K8QPhs.. sigurado marami kayong smile pagkatapos! ;D

packet · 16 years ago

Well, sorry to all apple fans out there. But for me, apple products are not really user friendly. I don’t like installing i-tunes in my system.

peter · 16 years ago

…are rubbish pala.

peter · 16 years ago

As if naman kung maganda ang product name ng iPad eh bibili kayo nito. The comments about the product name issue is rubbish.
.

naruto04 · 16 years ago

IMO yung name ng IPAD was cool para maiiba naman, well no doubt talaga APPLE is dictating our future,when it comes to tech.. masyado magaling lang talaga si steve jobs.. and expect na may lalabas ulit IPAD na much upgraded pa diyan.. just like apple said they’re bigger than sony,samsung,nokia when. it comes to mobile device..

Andre Marcelo-Tanner · 16 years ago

this is for all the people who dont use computers or dont know how to, or find it too complicated. you can practically take this anywhere, use it on the road etc, no need to fiddle with a mouse or track pad etc. it just works.

its like how the wii changed things in console gaming.

sure this is not a new idea and others are coming out with it

but who has done it better so far? its not about apple ruling the world, its about apple changing how the world works.

hehe · 16 years ago

may isa pang con… walang farmville sa ipad wahahahaha… no facebook flash games sorry….

dan · 16 years ago

kahit bigyan ako nyan baka hindi ko magagamit. puede cguro pang display. siempre mas pipiliin ko parin desktop ko dyan kesa sa iPad na yan hehehehe. nagsasayang sila ng pera.

Pessimist · 16 years ago

@yuga i think that explanation is fair enough. Although i think iPad still does not get my interest. But Thank you anyway

BrianB · 16 years ago

No doubt people would buy it, for the bragging rights, for something to talk about with their friends. But from the standpoint of device as tool for efficiency and progress and even of beauty, the iPad is the Cupertino version of a Quiapo cure.

And imagine how Pinoys are going to pronounce this thing without sounding like they want an iPod. Isang iPaaad, yung malaki ha.

BrianB · 16 years ago

Yuga, there are better offering sout there which run a full “unwatered down” operating system like Windows 7. All the iPad has is the scammy-looking iBook app and the Apple branding. The form factor also leaves a lot to be desired. The HP Slate is more portable. Over at PMPToday, I suggested that Apple is trying to bridge the gap between an appliance and furniture. This is what the iPad looks to me, an almost-frivolous device that looks good on your coffee table. But unlike totally frivolous objet d’arts, it’s actually useful to an extent. But for the productive consumer, for people looking for a device that solves problems or improve their lifestyle. iPad is not it.

I pity people who will abandon the thought of buying a Kindle or another E-Ink reader because they’d rather have an iPad. Now, who actually wants a 9-inch iPod Touch without being funny?

PowerTXT · 16 years ago

My wife has an MSI netbook which she uses mostly for MS Word, browsing the web, watching videos, and playing music. She never used the built in webcam.

After seeing the iPad, she’s willing to give up all the other functionalities of the netbook to have a better user experience where it matters to her. This is the kind of user the iPad is for.

We power users are better off with the latest laptop and smartphone combo.

ryan · 16 years ago

It’s all about the next year’s presentation. Jobs will most likely get everyone clapping again about multi-tasking. a version with camera, a version with voice and a cheaper version.

Calebus · 16 years ago

Hmmm…

iPOD…iPAD

Let us take the names literally.

The iPOD gives you the notion that is pod-like. Say pea in a pod, in a way, initial thought as something small or somewhat the size of a pea pod ( 1st generation iPOD ). Where the peas are the music and the gadget itself is the pod.

The iPAD, well, literally is a PAD! Yes, an oversized iPOD, grown to the size of a pad. “How I wish I had a bigger screen,” says one user on his iPOD/Touch. “Okay sir, here you go!” replied Steve.

What I am contemplating on is one other meaning to “pod”:

POD, noun
the part of a space vehicle that can be separated from the main part

Whereas, APPLE will market and pair the iPOD with the iPAD – can interact as one gadget yet can still be used separately. If utilized as one – they will call it as the iFUSION or following the “P”.. the iPLAY!

YEAR 2010

Son: Dad can you buy me an iPAD?!
Daddy: You already have an iPOD boy, and besides it just an oversized iPOD.
Son: No Dad, i need to fuse it with my iPOD, so me and my other friends can do with it as iPLAY.
Daddy: You lost me there sonny…
Son : Get me one and I’ll show you…

…A FEW YEARS LATER

Yahoo! Finance : APPLE, INC. posts double digit profit!

Yahoo! Autos : APPLE inks partnership with Ford Motor Co. iKEY software integrated into latest generation iPOD Touch and Play

THINK TANK!

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@pessimist – What I am trying to imply is that this device is an upgrade to the iPod Touch.

However, because of the hype created by fans and the media, they expected something that’s hard to satisfy.

So, it’s like people looking at a water of glass half full or half empty. Some people look at the iPad as half-empty. I looked at it as half-full.

Any device, Apple or Sony or HP or Dell, needs to start somewhere. No single device was perfect the first time around.

Here’s an analogy — let’s say a telco offers Mobile 3G at 2Mbps and Fiber Cable Internet at 100Mbps. Both served their purpose and target market.

One day, they launched a new product in between the 2 existing offering with a speed of 20Mbps and calls it Wireless Fiber Internet. From the perspective of people expecting the Fiber performance, this product is crap as it is nowhere near the Fiber Cable Internet offering.

However, had the telco named the service Mobile 4G, consumers will look at the current 2Mbps of Mobile 3G and say “wow, that’s 10x better with 20Mbps — I like it!”.

Pessimist · 16 years ago

what i think of the situation:

– Apple iPad SHOULD NOT CLAIM that it belongs to a SEPARATE ISOLATED Category other than Tablet PCs. Why? Because Apple cannot admit that they came late in the “tablet” industry… Moreover, the only way they can justify this lapse is to present the iPad as belonging to an entirely new category. I THINK THIS IS A FRAUD!!!!! A CAPITALIST ATTEMPT TO FOOL CONSUMERS!

Pessimist · 16 years ago

@yuga: Are you suggesting then that the critique to the iPad is merely a state of arbitrariness.By saying ” if Apple called this the iPod Touch Pro, everyone will like it”, you are implying that the people will look at a relative consciousness of a previous apple product. And by “defending” or outlining some points that justify the existence of the iPad, you contribute to the kind of thinking —> AS LONG AS IT’S APPLE, IT’S GOOD, IT’S WORTH DEFENDING and THEREFORE, WORTH BUYING!

poorman · 16 years ago

i wish somebody out there will put up a company that will sell affordable products and will enable us to create and assemble gadgets by our own liking, customize with our own design, features and capabilities that we really want.

poorman · 16 years ago

i wish somebody out there will put up a company that will sell products and spare parts that are affordable and enable us to create our own gadgets, something like assemble my own cellphone, my own laptop-with the features, applications and capabilities that i want.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

Okay, I know a lot of people liked the iPod Touch, so let’s do a checklist:

– Faster than the iPod Touch. Check!
– Bigger screen than the iPod Touch. Check!
– Has more connectivity than the iPod Touch like 3G/BT. Check!

So I don’t get why people don’t like a faster, bigger and better iPod Touch.

Maybe if Apple called this the iPod Touch Pro, everyone will like it.

zirdaj · 16 years ago

@calvin I will definitely be waiting for those apps! Kasi naman nakaka-excite rin na antagal na umaandar tong rumors about the apple tablet, kaya mataas expectations ng tao. :))

IanMedina · 16 years ago

Rumors:

*You can use your iphone camera on the iPad via adapter using wifi/3g/bluetooth. It may support any kind of phone w/ camera w/ 3g/wifi/bluetooth support

*Gamepad controller for games

bench · 16 years ago

let’s say…let me buy an iPad after 3yrs…

calvin · 16 years ago

im not sold out on the iPad but im not hating it either. wait and see lang what the apps created for iPad can do. baka mapabilib kayo. :)

when the new shuffle came out maraming nag-isip na hindi maganda yung voice-over controls pero upon using it a lot of people changed their mind.

people just need to temper down their expectations for the Apple Tablet. Besides, it’s really not for everyone.

5 reasons why the iPad doesn’t suck

zirdaj · 16 years ago

I would like to add that they better just be advertising this as a car add-on than anything else, coz it certainly fits that role.

zirdaj · 16 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/user/emonegro#p/a/u/0/8eF0y0IfpPU

^lol

What tasks for a portable device would be worth spending a couple hundred bucks for?

This would be good for e-book readers, but for everything else? No flash, no multi-tasking? Iphones doesn’t have those but then, that thing fits right into your pocket, unlike this.

I am having a hard time thinking of this iPad’s use other than reading e-books. Convertible tablet pcs give you the touchscreen experience + computing needs. Netbooks gives you the portability you need. Iphone gives you the phone + ultra portable multitouch experience as well. If anyone can give me a situation where this iPad would be of good use (and worth its price), I’d be happy to hear that.

rcsaint · 16 years ago

yeah sir yuga is right..and he said it very well!

i like the last part he said…i was thinking the same thing having this gadget in your car…if only i can hook it in my sun visor…oh well maybe in the next gen. but imagine watching porn in this gadget…in your bed…hehehe…imagine holding a naked babe in your hand…hayden kho must be smiling….steve jobs is right…it’s all about experience…a whole new experience!

kancer · 16 years ago

“Apple is creating a device for a non-existent market and thatâ€™s the biggest challenge”

what market is this anyway, a market for oversized iPod Touches.

If its trying breakthrough the Tablet-Slate market, i can honestly say that its not doing its job properly.why? this “thing” is not a PC, or even a computer

wentot · 16 years ago

Good points you got there sir yuga. Kaya lang bagsak talaga pagating sa pangalan. Sana MacPad o kaya iTablet. iPad, what happened to their creativity.

andrew · 16 years ago

i’d rather stick with my ipod touch. even though the apps are somewhat downsized in terms of functionality at least kasya sa pocket ko haha.

edz · 16 years ago

kung sa pangkaraniwang pinoy e parehas ang pronunciation ng iPad at iPod. pero actually may pagkakaiba ang pagpronounce sa iPad at iPod.

Olyver Digg · 16 years ago

This means that the HP slate is way bettah.. Make the hp slate snappy and then u got a gadget to beat.. Imma switch back to windows if that is the case..

-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App

IC DeaDPiPoL · 16 years ago

prays CDRKING will copy this next XD

Andre Marcelo-Tanner · 16 years ago

there are lots of things it doesnt have.
but what it does have, what it can do, what it changes is amazing. imagine one in every household. my 3 year old could use this. its a game changer. its doesnt give you everything you need. when was the last time you needed everything?

frocks · 16 years ago

i feel like the iPad targets the new kind of “techie” market. those that focus mainly on how many gadgets they have, how pretty their gadgets are, and how they’ll become “in” by having all those pretty sissy gadgets; they are also those that don’t really think about the functionality and efficiency of their gadgets. conformists.

the iPad really is just an overgrown iTouch. does it really contribute anything new for us? if i wanted a mobile media/internet solution, i’d bring a laptop. i don’t need to show off.

glee · 16 years ago

Haha mga bro first time ko to na mag-follow ng isang Apple gadget tapos halos lahat ng tech sites at forums ang daming sobrang na-disappoint sa ipad na to. kindle lang ata kaya nitong talunin. pano pag naglabas na ng mga tablet ang hp at iba pa na may windows 7 eh di mga sosyalista na lang bibili ni to.haha peace man

Jan Alvin · 16 years ago

Baka balak ni Steve na testingin muna ang market kung may kakagat bago nila i-fully develop yung product?

Name – iPad

para namang pangalan ng napkin, LOL
may nakita pa kong video sa youtube tungkol sa ipad, kaso… LOL

seo consultant · 16 years ago

kuya abe, kinain ni akismet yung comment ko. waah. :(

seo consultant · 16 years ago

Maybe Steve is just testing the market kung may kakagat. Kung ok, edi gagawa sila ng mas maganda.

Name: iPad

(para namang pangalan ng napkin.) LOL

maxmailpc · 16 years ago

@lolipown
yeah you’re right about that. i just don’t get how Mr. Jobs belittled netbooks before introducing the ipad when what he is about to introduce is for me, more inferior and less capable than this ion netbook i am typing on right now.

md · 16 years ago

hype or no hype this is just an overgrown iphone running on a restrictive operating system.

lolipown · 16 years ago

@maxmailpc
“there was just too much hype on what the ipad would have even before its release”

But that’s how Apple’s products are released… the iPhone received the same hype.

illusionado · 16 years ago

iHate Apple and they always do iDoesn’t phone. No camera, because I know how apple thinks. They will release an iPad2 or laPad(tanduay lapad) or iPad(ice tea + lapad) or iPad 2G or whatsoever coz i hate “or” and “i”. And what 1Ghz A4 CPU for a 9″ tablet so whats the big deal? bite for a hype or be wise.

What thing that is not a big deal for iPad, it is not pocketable! Steve mentioned that iPad is in the middle of iPhone and MacBook so wheres the mobility on this tablet that have no handle or bag mentioned.

Apple is really for the dum* people and sorry for that. I know you are just for your taste and for your necessities but when you are a mobile enthusiast or tech savvy you will know how the iPhone sucks.

p.s. i have still lots to mention about the cons but it is not the solution…its the people realizations..

10 for + and 90 for –

hehe · 16 years ago

netbook killer daw…. sus

maxmailpc · 16 years ago

there was just too much hype on what the ipad would have even before its release. i think i saw one at yahoo stating how this product could be a game changer for the industry and on another tech review site they even said “it will change everything”. there are plenty of really good things i could say about this product but too many misgivings as well. i just hope i could read yugatech.com and other blogs while listening to my music with the ipad but that seems farfetched for now. a software update perhaps?