For years now, people have been on their toes waiting for the release of Apple’s new revolutionary computing tablet. After much speculation and excitement, the device has finally arrived: The Apple iPad.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, revealed the iPad on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and gave the media a chance to tour all of its features. The iPad was breathtaking, but more or less puzzling in its function.
“I was certainly impressed by its sleek design,” said Dr. Casey Motl, assistant professor of history, an avid Apple product user who was eagerly waiting to see the new product. “Apple always successfully blends aesthetics and functionality. However, I wasn’t initially clear as to its primary use. Was it a full-fledged computer? Was it only an e-reader? I wasn’t sure.”
Experts and bloggers have for many years speculated about what the iPad will be able to do. Will it make coffee? Will it pick up kids from school? Obviously, the iPad cannot in fact brew coffee nor do carpool for users, but what the iPad did deliver is an innovative blend of functions compacted into one simple device.
“The iPad, while not as feature-cluttered as many pundits would have liked, combines the roles of an iPod touch, Amazon Kindle and netbook into a capable, elegant and minimalist package,” said Trevor Huxham, a sophomore history and Spanish major who already owns an Apple MacBook and iTouch.
Although tablet computing has been around for some time now, the iPad has shown why tablet computing technology is essential.
“The main difference is the bigger screen,” said Kevin Herrington, Web service coordinator for Ouachita. “It sounds so simple, but the bigger screen will allow programmers to really take advantage of being able to manipulate data and really make their programs shine.”
Since the release of the iPhone users have grumbled over how the screen is too small to do any sort of productive work in a portable setting. But the iPad’s bigger interface boldly addresses that complaint by uniting the MacBook’s functionality and the iPhone’s portability into one.
“The possibilities are endless,” Herrington said. “Computing has traditionally been basically the same for 25 years, so this is a new thing. This is a paradigm shift. This is a new type of interface and a new way to interact with a device. Nothing’s going to replace a MacBook interface and nothing’s going to replace an iPhone but it’s going to be the gap in between. It’ll be good for the times when you don’t have your laptop but you need something more powerful than an iPhone.”
The e-reader capabilities of the iPad are definitely something to write home about. Following in the steps of the Amazon Kindle, Steve Jobs announced Wednesday that Apple will “stand on Amazon’s shoulders” in promoting the new iBook store.
“For better or worse, digital text is the future,” Motl said. “Amazon entered the market with its Kindle technology, but I hear from friends who own one that the lighting taxes the eyes, and that it remains a difficult reading experience. The iPad, on the other hand, apparently supplies a far more accommodating e-reading experience, with softer light, a two-page display that mirrors the experience of reading a printed book, whereas the Kindle only permits a one-page view. Pages are turned, scanned, zoomed or shrunk with a finger-swipe or pinch, reflecting the ease of use through which Apple has come to dominate key corners of the personal computing market.”
The iBook store will allow users to buy and download books straight from their iPad and also to allow them to import books from other computing sources.
Expected features that the iPad lacks include a built-in camera, support for Flash software, USB port, CD or DVD drive and multitasking support while using apps. However, this won’t prevent Motl or Herrington from buying one as soon as it hits stores.
“As soon as it’s available to order online I will buy one,” Herrington said. “I’ve always wanted a way to do some light productivity work on a device because there are so many times I’m either sitting on the couch or laying in bed when I want to have a pretty powerful computing device with me that I can use.”
Motl, an avid Apple user and Steve Jobs supporter, will do the same.
“You better believe [I’m buying one].” said Motl.” Steve Jobs is my man-crush. Long live Apple.”
Although fairly affordable for some students at an entry level price of $499, it may not yet be a product that students necessarily need. Huxham has little use for the iPad at this point in time.
“I wouldn’t [buy one],” Huxham said. “My black MacBook and first-generation iPod touch fulfill all my mobile computing needs, making an iPad superfluous.”
All in all, Apple has once again created a product that has undeniable potential to transform an entire industry. As with the creation of the iPod and iPhone, people may turn their heads at the sight of the occasional iPad this year, but come next year, it is likely the iPad will be seen around every corner.
By Allison Cornell, Signal Writer
