Here's why the iPad will be a success..

Seth Weintraub
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January 27, 2010
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I spent way too much time playing with the iPad today. In fact, I'm still thinking about it and here's why:  The browser is better than the browser on my MacBook.   It might be the best browsing experience out there.  By a lot. 

Not only is the browser really (MacBook Pro type) fast, but it is a much more natural way of "surfing".  Instead of hitting your trackpad you just point to what you want on the screen.  There is no hand-eye coordination required.  It is the best of the iPhone's pinch/scroll/zoom/resolution independence on a sufficiently large laptop caliber display.  If I want to go portrait?  Boom.

Make no mistake: Apple is targeting the uber-hot netbook market with this device.  What are you doing 90% of the time on a netbook?  Browsing.  And it isn't even close here.  The iPad is on another level in browsing.  The only area where a traditional netbook shines is in typing URLs.  But in the hour of playing with the iPad, I rarely found myself longing for a keyboard.

So what about the other 10% of the time on a netbook?  Instant Messaging? Office Apps? VoIP?  They're pretty much all in the App Store.  And Office is $30 for iPad vs >$100 for a netbook, something that makes the $499 iPad vs. $299 netbook price easier to justify.   I wasn't immediately able to operate iWork apps on the device but I started to learn pretty quickly.  These apps might be the X-factor for this device.  A touch office suite.  A big first.

When you add in that this device is also an e-book reader, a gaming device, and a movie viewer, $499 doesn't seem like a hard sell.

The monster downside to this device?  Lack of a camera.  I think this is a crippling move by Apple that does two things:  One, it keeps iPhones relevant and important.  Two, it is a huge differentiating factor that will sell lots of v2 upgrades.  My hope is that someone makes an add on camera that fits pretty snugly onto the 30-pin connector for ~$30 (which seems to be supported by the software).  Lack of Flash also is a bummer, especially in the Hulu category.  But I think Hulu may come up with an App at some point as well.

Another interesting note: Apple today lifted its ban on VoIP over 3G on the iPhone...which will likely translate to the iPad.  So that means that, theoretically, I can dump my voice provider (AT&T) and just use the iPad as a phone for $30/month for unlimited data on AT&T.  I know that is extremely unrealistic to carry around that big thing everywhere I go (and I'd be losing a camera FFS), but, I am already missing using it.

And if you think about the big picture, that "desire to use the iPad."  That certainly bodes well for sales.

Comments (145)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 8:47pm

Heh, No flash support on a tablet=mega fail. Netbooks can even do that!!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 8:58pm

Flash is crap. Adobe still can't write a plugin worth a dime. Here is a good article detailing its deficiencies.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 9:06pm

OMG. another retarded comment.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 11:14pm

Actually, Flash has had a much longer run than it ever should have. At this point, HTML5 can pick up the load of Flash - and do the job much better. It's the real reason Apple refuses to support Flash in these devices: Flash is weak, and HTML5 is the future. Their mobile products are massively successful currently, and this, to them, is a strong motivating factor for websites to ditch Flash.

It's one thing I actually appreciate about the iPad.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 4:24am

100% agree, have you ever had a look at your cpu load while using flash. It is almost at 60% on my MacBook Pro 2.26GHz. In comparison HTML 5 can accomplish the same with 20%.
I am happy for every company that doesn't support Flash anymore.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 6:25am

It's all very well to dis Flash and its shortcomings. I agree with many of the criticisms, but the fact remains that a large percentage of sites, including sites that people want to use such as Hulu, require Flash. It is clear now that the absence of Flash has nothing to do with technical difficulties, but rather with the fact that Apple is developing its own alternative and is essentially trying to force Adobe out. All weel and good, and I hope they succeeed, but it is very cynical to punish your customers in the meantime.

If you haven't yet finished drinking your cool aid, you will notice that neither is there any Java support, which is even more widely used than Flash. Without these two technologies, you simply can't say that the iPad presents a superior browsing experience. Period.

Woody | January 28, 2010 - 7:22am

"...a large percentage of sites..." = porn

Just sayin.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 11:53am

woody is right!

I can take this thing to bed and whack off in style

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 29, 2010 - 7:41pm

dont cum on the screen hahaha......

Woody | January 28, 2010 - 7:24am

And Java ≠ JavaScript, which is supported. Sorry, but Java is some rare-a$$ stuff on the web anymore. Sure, there's an image uploader here and there, but that's about it these days. Java's just leading Flash down the big path of Fail.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 8:08am

As a Java developer I have to agree. Java isn't really an end-user technology any more. It's a server-side tech. The browser, HTML+JavaScript, is the only client that matters at this point.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 1:52pm

and eventually, java, too, will be replaced.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 29, 2010 - 8:03am

I keep seeing this comment but no evidence to back it up. The main criticism about Java is the lack of support on the device (no VM, no native support). I am not talking about the inability to use applets (while that is a significant downside too). The entire industry has accepted Java as a platform -- there are more than 2 billion Java ME powered mobile devices (http://www.java.com/en/about/) yet Apple still limits developers to the antiquated Objective C that they have clung so dearly to for decades.

Unfortunately, Apple will likely not change their ways until it starts to effect their bottom line and I for one am hoping that the Android market does this. I say this as a die-hard Apple fan because Apple has made the mistake of getting too cocky and controlling before and it cost them.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | February 22, 2010 - 2:29am

Yes I agree, there are plenty of developers already using java to create apps on mobile phones. I regret the decision of Apple to talk people into using something that only works for them. (What if it was the case for every phone types? ).
Fortunately, It is still possible to write Java application for iPhone, thanks to iSpectrum (http://www.flexycore.com). With this solution, you can reuse already existing code, and you don't have to learn a new language.

andreaflynn | June 11, 2010 - 7:15pm

But the instrument does not allow you to perform most of the activities you may do with your laptop. At best high level users, who contribute 5% to 10% of the total computer users, might be the target audience. And of that 5% or 10% only might want to try out the new product. bullion coins

cherylsarah | July 22, 2010 - 6:02pm

I think any product from apple always prepare before launch, and many user loyal for apple.
how to share internet connection | iBook G4 Hard Drive

sfmitch (not verified) | January 28, 2010 - 8:04am

I am glad that Flash is nowhere to be seen on the new tablet. Flash is crap.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | May 08, 2010 - 3:30pm

Flash is amazing - what are you talking about? You clearly have no understand of how Flash has changed the web.

overvision (not verified) | May 11, 2010 - 8:36am

If selling 1 million in 1 month = FAIL. I can't WAIT to FAIL!!

JohnnyMacintosh (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 8:59pm

@guy above me bah its supposed to be an internet tablet im not complaining

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 9:00pm

How do you write on this thing? Any stylus? It would be really stupid if you can write on it naturally.

overvision (not verified) | May 11, 2010 - 8:39am

I'm sure there will be an app that will allow you to write with your finger. Wake up and smell the FUTURE!

Amanda123a | May 20, 2010 - 5:08am

Pff of course will be, it is not somethign impossible, soft must have database of alphabet and recognize best fit of writings.. I know that with screen pen , i dont remember what is name, you can write sms.. for example..

thanks for the post.

Amanda at VoIP

VoIP
VoIP info
voice over ip

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 9:04pm

I honestly think an add-on camera would be better than one built in. I would prefer a camera that could swivel forward or backward, thus making video chat and picture taking possible. Fixed cameras are very limiting.

geofly (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 9:11pm

agreed, add-on camera would be great for those who DESPERATELY need it (judging from a lot of the posts).

Luke Bornheimer | January 27, 2010 - 9:21pm

Though I don't think this is EXACTLY what you're looking for, but what about an iPhone as an "add-on camera"? With the iPod Connector Kit, you can connect an iPhone via USB cord to transfer photos, but what about other support? Perhaps you could take pictures via your iPhone or use its camera for the iPad.

I think the using it as a video camera for the iPad is a stretch, but pictures seems very possible and viable.

Thoughts?

Joe (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 9:53pm

Typical.
Apple produces yet another joke and every fanboy jumps on board to defend it.
With the first Iphone, it was somewhat more advanced than other phones but lacked some of the basics like removable battery and GPS .. At that time even cheap give away phones had GPS.
I herd people say then. "Oh i know it has google maps but i really do think it's better without the gps built in" and "Why would I ever want to change a battery when I can send it back to Apple and have there engineers with magic fingers blessed by Steve almighty replace it and then charge me more money than the phone cost"
First I can tell you this, I know God personally and his name is not Steve.
Now it is the Ipad.. "OH it is going to change the world.."
The Ipad is being introduced way behind the curve. Other company's are showing soon to be release slates that will have real usability. The N800 had more imagination than ipad 2 years ago.
This is what you get when one person and one group tries to control every aspect of hardware and software.
All you have to do is look what people were wanting on a new apple tablet and then see just how out of touch Apple is whith the Ipad.
And yet thousands of SHEEP will follow and spend thousands of dollars just because it has that stupid little Apple logo on it.

Weird (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 10:06pm

If you're not an Apple fan why are you on a Apple blog?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 11:06pm

i dont agree fully with Joe but this is ridiculous. i am a die hard apple fan. i have been scouring over 5 mac websites almost daily for months in anticipation of this thing. this thing is a joke. it only has ONE innovation and that is larger multi touch form factor. two DEALBREAKERS: no multitasking, no magazines. wow, and no camera at all? no cool gesture controls. this is pretty damn disappointing.

scojac (not verified) | January 27, 2010 - 11:18pm

This is not really to defend the iPad, because in its current state it is a weak product (in my opinion). However, a very reasonable bet is that iPhone OS 4.0, expected in March, will enable multitasking for the new iDevices. Some other apps and features as well, I imagine.