However, there are still a few things that I would like to say about the iPad.

Why did I buy it?

Ultimately, people will buy or not buy the iPad for their own reasons. For me, the iPad is essentially a laptop replacement. Granted, it doesn’t do everything that a laptop does so it wouldn’t be a good replacement for everyone (e.g., businessman on the road). At home, I still have an iMac. I personally prefer desktops to laptops. For the foreseeable future, I’ll continue to do all the heavy lifting on my desktop. The only reason that I would possibly need a laptop is for mobile browsing, email, and the odd bit of application-based work. For me, the iPad can do all those things almost as well as a desktop.

Furthermore, the iPad is extremely inconspicuous. I don’t have to drag any cords around. It tucks under my arm so that it’s not immediately apparent that I’m toting a piece of technology. It’s lighter than most laptops. The battery lasts all day, and it takes just an instant to turn it on and have it working.

I’m in the midst of a grand experiment to see whether the iPad can be functional and beneficial in a work environment. I’m facing a lot of resistance (read brick wall) from my IT department at work. I’ve been told that it’s a liability and security issue…bla bla bla, so I’m not currently able to access my email or calendar using the built-in applications. I do use it to take notes during meetings. It’s a start, I guess.

Lastly, it’s an Apple product, and Lord knows I need more of those.

Why it’s a giant iPod Touch

Invariably, people want to look at and hold the iPad. Upon playing with the device for 3.7 seconds, the most common comment I receive is, “It’s exactly like a big iPod Touch.” Ultimately, I can’t dispute that fact. It looks like one and it runs on the same operating system. If you know how to operate an iPod Touch or iPhone, there will be nothing difficult about transitioning to an iPad.

When the iPad was nothing more than a rumour, some analysts speculated that Apple’s “tablet” device would come with Mac OS X installed. IMHO, that would have been a fatal error. Spend any amount of time working with a touch-screen PC at your local Best Buy, and you’ll soon realize that the interface was not tailored for multi-touch input. Desktop operating systems (e.g., OS X Snow Leopard, Windows 7) are best suited for a mouse and keyboard. The iPhone operating system is best suited for fingers and therefore, the best option for the iPad.

Why it’s different

The size of the iPad is exactly what sets it apart from an iPhone or iPod. The increased screen real estate brings with it a whole new realm of possibilities. With the increase in screen size, app developers are not as constrained. In iPhone apps, one is constantly sliding from screen to screen. There is often too little space to display content and a menu, so the entire screen has to swipe away to make room. On the iPad, there’s usually enough space to show more than one thing.

Not only that, but apps look quite a lot different. For example, take a look at these contrasting screenshots:

Summary

In their promotional material, Apple pays the iPad every compliment imaginable. They only barely stop short of saying that the iPad cures cancer (they’re probably reserving that feature for 2011). They say that the iPad is magical and revolutionary. So, is it? It certainly is well-designed. It is very useful to many people. Is it revolutionary, though? Yes and no. The iPad builds upon the very solid foundations of the iPod and the iPhone. In that regard, there’s nothing new. The iPad isn’t even the first tablet computing device. However, it is revolutionary in that I predict that one day we will look back and realize that the iPad marked the first time that people gave a crap about a tablet computer.

If you agree or disagree or just want to say something, leave me a comment below.

Interesting Factoid: Movie theatres make a bigger cut as time passes. Depending on the movie, they may net nothing from the actual ticket sales during the first week (don’t worry, they’re still doing just fine with the 6000% markup on popcorn and sugar water). By the second or third week, the theatres get to keep about 50% of the ticket revenues (and snacks remain a king’s ransom). By the fourth week, that number jumps to 80% or so. At four weeks, most showings are sparsely attended. Eighty percent of 15 tickets is not a lot (hence the justification for concession robbery).

Where was I? Yes…my defence. The movie is still making stupid amounts of money. A coworker of mine announced with pride on Monday that he had finally taken the opportunity to see Avatar. Not only that, but the theatre was full. It was released on December 18 and two and a half months later, it’s still selling out theatres. Not bad. Therefore, my post here still seems somewhat relevant.

For the record, I enjoyed watching Avatar. It was certainly an experience. The 3D and CG graphics were stunning to say the least. However, a movie should ultimately come down to the story. That’s where it may have fallen off a bit. Enough of my opinion, though. Here’s a video review that I found really intriguing. The reviewer sounds a bit odd, but hear him out.

Video after the break.

Part 1

Part 2