 | This attitude was changed the moment I picked up an iPhone 3, and I would challenge anyone who picks one up not to be impressed by the device
It is obviously a sexy gadget, but once you see past the striking good looks you realize it is so so simple to use. It passed my “mother test” with flying colours and I found it a very workable phone. It certainly kicked the ass of my previous smart phone, a windows 5 HTC that sucked soo badly I had to purchase a new phone! Anyway this is about the iPad 2. Basically the iPad is a large iPod Touch with a camera and a few other bells and whistles. | So it looks good, I think we can all agree that. It is light, has good battery life, is easy to use. My previous blog I mentioned the criteria I would be using to measure the tablet.
Surfing the internet
The iPad makes a fair job of this. I like the browser, it is simple and finger friendly. I do not like the lack of browser choice and the fact that Silverlight and flash are not supported.
Take Notes
The iPad has a few note taking apps and you can purchase a pen for it. It does not support “inking” or any pen technologies.
Edit Photos and Video
iPad has some great photo and video editing Apps.
Games
The iPad does have a lot of games some very good, especially those that are purchased. Ignoring Angry birds, (which sounds like a Friday night where I live), the touch interface makes for an engaging and new way to game.
In summary the iPad is a content consumption device. Not supporting flash is really really REALLY shit. You need an app for every site that you visit which makes consumption bitty. I use a variety of streaming sites such as bbc, soundcloud, ted, channel9 etc etc as part of my browsing, and my daughter uses a load of flash based sites such as habbo and mathletics. Very limiting Apple, get over yourselves and implement this. In short it is pretty and light and great for users with light to regular demands. Much of the really cool features come through the Apps that make use of the touch-ability. Apps that simulate drum machines or sequencers or that add image effects. There is little doubt there are some really cool Apps out there, however without the ability to do serious content creation and move files around it seems to me the iPad is un-necessarily limited. I have high demands from my personal devices and I feel that the iPad will not measure up. I understand that any negative review of the iPad is never received well by iFanatics who will defend their camp till the bitter end.
iRant 1 : iTunes
I hate the reliance on iTunes is the main way of loading information. The software blows. I have never known something that needs updating so often (other than the Windows os, which is an OS).
iRant 2 : No access to file system
I hate that you can not simply dump a file on the device and use the file system. This is something I do a lot with my work, and to not have this simple function available irritates me
iRant 3 : The App store
Now I write software. I have had a few great ideas for comedy apps that I would have developed had I not had to worry about being vetted by apple and then giving them 30% of any money I might make for the pleasure. The app store is the reason you can not use flash or silverlight as they could circumvent Apples money machine.
I get that it is not all bad. Your app will be marketed and published to a large number of potential consumers, but I love the freedom windows gives that allows you to develop any thing you like. Less regulation Apple, that's what I say.
iRant 4 : Functionality Dribble
Apple seem to not deliver devices that can contain everything that they could for reasons unknown. For example why when implementing video calls did they plum for “face time” this is bullshit. There are loads of IM clients that will do this job well. Copy paste took several releases to exist… why why why…
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