Apple iPad: A revolutionary device or simply over-hyped?
Apple rippled waves in the tech realm with its touchscreen devices. Its various innovations have seized the hearts of consumers across the globe. Be it the iTouch, other iPods or Mac, each device splashed into markets like guzzling fresh water. However, this doesn’t seem to be a reason enough to accept its newest offering, the Apple iPad (awful name).
Looking back at the Apple iPad, this highly anticipated Apple tablet had popped its head about a year before its release. Spinning the rumor mills to their fullest, the device attaches itself to a string of rumors which erupted all across the Web. The beginning of 2009 was marked with the rumored Apple tablet to be launched during the fall of 2009. Falsifying these reports, it was then expected for an early 2010 release. And here it is the highly anticipated new ‘i’ device leaving a trail of questions. However, does it really meet the expectations of users? Did users expect something more out of the dainty device? Absurdly, will it take over the netbook market?
The hype created before the release must have witnessed several critics waiting to split apart the device for each minor flaw. Evidently, this device doest seem to calm down the stormy tech-fiends but may have brought a smile to faces of some manufacturers. It could be the long wait or simply the iPad’s weightily renowned cousins who have made users expected exceptional performance and out-of-the-box features from the device.
Basically, the device toggles between an eReader and a Web enabled device or probably it’s trying to balance both. It even claims be bring in a new category altogether (a category that already exists). However, people may look for such devices which fall somewhere between the limited functionality (screen) phones to bulky netbooks.
Well, is it a threat to the netbook market? If you’re thinking it may replace the netbook market then the iPad definitely requires a massive feature-grooming session. Looking at the feature-set, this version of iPad definitely doesn’t serve close to a netbook in every aspect including the outrageous price it carries.
According to S. Rajendran, CMO, Acer India, “We believe that the iPad, or any such similar device that comes up in the near future, is not something that competes with a netbook. A netbook can outdo this device in numerous ways – Netbooks come fully equipped with a minimum of two USB ports, webcam, user removable batteries (which make it highly convenient for extended use during travel). Even the most basic Netbook has a 160GB hard drive. Cloud storage can assist with data, but it’s still no replacement for onboard capacity. Most Netbooks run on a full Windows 7 OS that can be used for programming or modification.”
Just like the aforementioned string of rumors, it has a string of disappointments as well. The device comes minus multi-tasking capabilities, Adobe Flash, camera, HDMI port. 4:3 aspect ratio, depends on AT&T’s 3G service and also on adapters.
“Multitasking and the ability to run widely accepted apps (like Adobe, Skype) enable the netbook to deliver remarkable web experience. With the addition of a simple USB DVD/CD-ROM drive, disc-based software can be installed on a Netbook even without an optical drive built in. Netbooks can also install files off USB drives, or via any other input method. For long-term writing on the go, a physical Netbook keyboard with an attached angled screen is an additional plus point in favour of the netbook. The iPad runs on a proprietary chip; unlike Netbooks which are on industry leading, stable, proven processor platforms. The high processing capabilities of Netbooks, powered by the Atom makes them the obvious choice for someone looking for an ultraportable computing device”, adds S. Rajendran.
The Apple device does pack in some good features but we did expect something more from it. Talking about the iPad, maintaining the aesthetic and similarity in design, it could be mistaken for an over grown iPod Touch. There are functionalities which up the stature of the device like the 9.7-inch LED backlit IPS display with multi-touch functionalities, access to App store, iTunes and iBook store. It mainly focuses at publishers bringing in a new way of viewing news and other content. In addition, the support for Wi-Fi and 3G are great add-ons, securely placing it into the tablet category of devices. Definitely not a pocket-friendly device, but it easily slips into purses and bags (don’t complain of a smaller screen if you require a pocket-friendly device).
We asked a few tech-freaks their take on the newly launched Apple iPad whether it’s simply over-hyped or a great device which is at par with other Apple innovations.
Bertila Rodrigues, Web journalist says “Apple’s iPad just seems to be one of those over-hyped devices that don’t actually live up to the excitement they generate. First of all, it doesn’t appear to be any different from a netbook cum e-reader. In fact, it lacks functionalities. I’ve also heard that it doesn’t have a webcam or allow multitasking. Seems like a prototype that should have waited for a few more features to be added before being launched amidst all the fanfare.”
“iPad is going to revolutionize the way we read paperbacks and novels, iPod changed the way we listen to music while iPhone showed how good a touchscreen can be, maybe notebooks and netbooks will soon be passe, says Gaurav Dapthardar, Manager, The Mobile Store.
I feel that the whole hullabaloo created around the iPad is just a tad too much. Yes, it may be a great device but certainly not a revolutionary one. The features are similar to that of an e-reader while the music and video centric aspects can be even espied on the Apple iPod Touch. According to me, the iPad from Apple is nothing but an XL version of iPod Touch, states Joanna Dmello, Tech Support.
No flash, no camera, who cares, laptop beware iPad is here. I think the media and tech enthusiasts are treating the gadget too critically and one should simply look at the device keeping aside these flaws. The iPod wasn’t accepted amicably on its release and just look at the change. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an enhanced version of iPad soon,” remarked Nikhil Rajan Andezhath, MBA aspirant and tech-freak.
However, the responses have been a closet full of mixed outfits, so we would leave it to users whether it’s simply over-hyped or a revolutionary device. Overall, the iPad leaves a spacious room for improvements. Hope we see a newer improved version that could possibly bounce back and clear all the flawed tags attached to this new ‘i’ device.
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