Jan 28
The iDream
This isn't a post reviewing the iPad. Quite frankly, all i have seen are screenshots of the device. This isn't a post ridiculing the obnoxious name or lamenting the non-existence of multitasking, a camera or two, support of flash or your favorite proprietary protocol. It isn't about how pretty it is, the plethora of applications or the upcoming ebook store and its comparison to the Kindle. This isn't about its comparison with netbooks or other handheld computing devices. This isn't about the price and this isn't about how you cannot use it on an airplane (really. see 'environmental requirements').
This is about the iPad dream.
Imagine a computer where you don't have to navigate deep into a file structure hierarchy to find something you want. You don't have to worry about creating a folder (and a folder inside a folder) and then think about how to best name it so that you can find it again. You don't have to care about creating shortcuts just to reach somewhere faster. Hell, you don't even have to search for something you want to find on your own computer. Imagine a computer where you don't have to care about installing anti-virus software and firewalls, a computer where getting rid of something does not mean launching an uninstaller or going to 'Add or Remove Programs'. Imagine having just the one place to go to find exactly the software you were looking for instead of scouring the entire internet for it and then filling out a million forms just to try it. Imagine a computer for which software is built and hence, doesn't expect you to upgrade your hardware.
Imagine a computer where you are not scared of losing data because everything gets backed up without you having to think about it. Imagine not having to bother about drives and partitions, formatting and defragmentation, mounting drives and choosing boot sequences, configuring IP settings and installing drivers. Imagine a computer without clutter, without an unintelligible registry and without having to assign virtual memory from your hard drive. Imagine not having to think about whether to single click, double click or right click at something, not having to learn the differences among hibernate, sleep, shutdown and lock and not having to remember to clear the recycle bin.
Imagine a computer that does everything you want it to do and nothing that you don't. Imagine a computer that doesn't scare your mother. Imagine a computer that starts at the press of a button and just works.
Imagine a computer for the rest of us.
The iPad isn't just an overgrown iPhone (though, i see nothing wrong with that). It is a prototype for what computing will mean for the majority of the world in the coming years. The personal computer, though revolutionary, still placed computers in the hands of geeks and continues to be built for them. The iPad (and undoubtedly similar devices that come along) brings the power and joy of technology to the other 95%. In that regard, the idea of the iPad will create a bigger sociological impact in our world than anything else that we have seen.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's pretty.
12 Comments
Oh and don't mention this post to Ande, lest you want to get your head bitten off. :)
BTW, I've never understood this multitasking features well. I understand that it saves the state of apps when you load another app and reloads them when you go back to it. But what about music. I want to have music playing in the background when I am browsing or viewing some word docs. Can the OS do that? Can you do that on your iPhone? You don't need multitasking(in terms of computing and processing power) on the iPad, but if you are position it as a computer, you definitely do need some basic features such as these.
Kuku - the iPad isn't a great device, far from it. But the concept is what I was talking about here. In the iPhone, you can listen to music in the background. Other things like fetching email in the background is also possible. Only, this functionality is not available to 3rd party apps.
I am more than familiar with ande's kneejerk reactions, so think I can handle it :)
And Maka,Since when did u start addressing me as Anu? Did u mistake me to be someone else? :P - Anuradha Rao
1) The app store and it's plutocracy: The iPhone is excused but should the iPad continue to carry forward the legacy of hardware/platform/carrier services impeding the freedom of users and developers? What will a user do with a pretty iPad running poorly maintained apps if devs don't get paid? Especially if this is the only computing device they are going to own?
2) It's still a walled garden: This would be a great device for my grandfather, but he will probably still have to figure out why he can't listen to that wma/wmv I sent him. Or why my blog looks different on his browser. Or why he can't listen to music unless it comes from iTunes. One open standard should be part of the iDream too.
3) People deserve hardware and a real OS: Apple is luring people into buying a device that is not upto par with the market hardware-wise. People should not make it a habit to pay for prettiness.
It's a great interim next-gen device, form-factor wise. I want. But I want more.
And kindly stop using Vista. Please :)
Divya - the iPad is defintely not great. But it's a good first step. This post wasn't about the iPad but about the idea of simplifying computers. However, I disagree with a couple of things:
1. I think the app store is godsend for indie developers and consumers alike. Also, the apps are of great quality. Have you seen those j2me apps?
2. I think they are fairly open with webkit, their e-book format and music. Every organization wants to protect its self interest, at the end of the day.
Sandeep - :)
And then, imagine having to put down the tablet on a surface and type with two hands. There will be such a strain on your neck since you are used to seeing a screen upright and not flat down on the table.
I wouldn't even be surprised if one of the future versions of Macbook Air runs the iPhone OS instead of the Mac OS.
The other thing that put me off was it's form factor, I find it extremely unergonomic. Too large for one hand, too small for the lap. Typing seems cumbersome having to consider that there is no place to rest your palm while you type.etc
Well, yes these assumptions are purely on what I see online and will have to experience this for real to really pass a judgment! Good read Anirudh, thanks :)
Leave a comment...