So most of you have probably heard about the new iPad (what I have decided to affectionately call the iRad), announced by Steve Jobs this week in a press conference.
First a little background. I've been researching ebook readers for a year and a half now and have been let down completely (the Barnes & Noble Nook) or only marginally interested (Kindle and Sony Reader) in what the market has had to offer. So I've watched and waited.
Till now.
Apple's new iPad not only DOMINATES the ebook market now with a fully touchable, fully colored platform, but it also comes with a gazillion other major resources. First, on ebooks, though. Apple has opened an iBooks store, selling open, non-proprietary (i.e., Kindle ebooks) ePub format books. These books are instantly downloadable through 3G or wi-fi, and are viewable on a 9.7 by 7-ish inch screen (same size as Amazon's large DX version, which sells for about $400 compared to iPad's $499). Also, anyone who has purchased B&N or amazon books can read them on the iPad through the Kindle and B&N apps downloadable through Apple's Apps Store.
In addition to ebooks, the iPad has iWorks, with word processor, Powerpoint-like, and spreadsheet software that all works completely by touch and keyboard. There are also major iPad apps for photos, movies, art (illustration), maps/GPS, calendar, e-mail, web-browsing (with zooming), and music.
It's no wonder that Barnes & Noble rushed a buggy and unacceptably poor-quality product--the Nook--to the market before Christmas (not even delivering the product in time for preorders to be filled by Christmas--or even December, for that matter). They probably had hints of what was coming and wanted to dupe a few people into buying their product before the iPad tsunami hit the beach. Understandably so. It is certain that iPad will obliterate the Kindle, Nook, and Sony platforms, reducing them to the same status as a generic MP3 player when compared to the iPod.
To sum it all up, in my opinion the iPad is the biggest mobile functionality tool since the creation of laptops, and ironically it will possibly replace laptops in the near future for most common tasks.
The jury's still out for me and I'm taking my time to watch and see what happens before I commit to an eReader relationship.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, L.T. I've heard so many conflicting notions about how powerful the iPad is or isn't that I'm taking a step back to watch where the chips fall.
ReplyDeleteAll very wise. That's been my predicament: I don't want to buy ebooks that are going to become obsolete. Might as well buy print versions rather than have that happen.
ReplyDeleteDear Macintosh Marketing "Genius",
ReplyDeleteI think "iPad" is a stupid name. With a company called "Mac" you're already primed for maxi pad jokes, and now iPad?? High school boys around the globe are preparing their collective dirty joke assembly.
For future reference, other names that might be better to avoid:
iSpy
iPatch
iCUP
Let's get the ball rolling on those jokes:
ReplyDelete(Feedback from a female customer of the iPad): "I like the iPad, but I really only use it one week per month."
"The iPad succeeds in stopping the flow of junk mail to my account."
Kirk, may I be the first to say BOO! :)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I do wonder when they'll release the iPad with wings.
Since I live in the tech world as part of my profession. This device will live and die based on the developers who come to the platform. Apple said it all during its presentation when they stated they hope it is another gold rush for developers. Every iPhone app sold the Dev keeps 70%, that is a huge margin. Do not underestimate this device and its siren call to the me generation and for those looking for a quick Buck. The device does have a lot of power and apple does make a quality product.
ReplyDeleteDeb, they're coming out with the iPad with wings right after they come out with the thicker iPad.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Auto, it's going to be a gold rush for developers--especially for those who made TONS of money from the Apps Store already with iPhone/iTouch. And with the 1 GHz processor, it should run like a dream.
Ewww. It may be a great gadget, but it won't replace the lovely smell of the pages.
ReplyDeleteThe ewww was for Kirk's jokes. :)
ReplyDeleteBlush, I agree. ewwwwww.
ReplyDeleteNow onto the iPad. It seems like a weird size. A little too big.
Does it have internet capability or do you hook it up to your comp? (For those who don't know, I am the Inker farthest from the "tech" world)
I still love a book. A book will last forever (if protected from small beings). How long will the ebook last is determined by how long the device is supported. It's like pictures. I've got four years of pictures on a zip drive. Mostly obsolete. Will ebooks become obsolete as new tech is put out there? Pulpy pages with glossy covers will never become obsolete. (Never let Farenheit 451 come true.)
Note to the our blog reading friends- We try to keep Deb and Kirk reigned into the email world when they get on these kicks but it seems to have spilled out into the big wide world of the iNet this time. At least now you now what we're really like. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteEww is right, Blush.
Some names with possibility for the MAC corp:
iLuv
iQu
iAm
iRoc
In fact how come there isn't an iRoc already?
All joking aside, if I'm in the market for an ebook reader then I think I'd go with the iPad. You pay an extra $100 and get way more compared to what a Kindle may have to offer. Side note: Does anyone know what kind of word processor capabilities the iPad has? If I can use it to read AND write AND its really mobile, that might be a beautiful combination.......
ReplyDelete