Apple has been touting its iPad since it was first announced a few weeks ago. But after the hype wears off and we take an honest look at the iPad, we quickly find that there are some major flaws with the company’s tablet device that it just doesn’t want us to know about.
When a consumer picks up the iPad expecting a top-of-the-line experience, they might be surprised to learn that it can’t quite provide that. They might be even more upset when they find out that the iPad isn’t as appealing as Steve Jobs wants the world to believe. So before you pick one up, let’s take a look at what Apple doesn’t want you to know about the iPad.
Although Steve Jobs didn’t talk about it during his keynote, the device’s browser doesn’t support Flash. That omission ensures that a large percentage of websites won’t work on the iPad. It also ensures that some elements of popular websites that don’t entirely rely upon Flash won’t work either. It’s a major problem.
Those who are hoping to work in iWork and surf the web at the same time will be disappointed with the iPad. Once again, Steve Jobs failed to mention that, due to iPad software limitations, users won’t be able to multitask. Being able to work with multiple programs is not only a desired feature in today’s tablet space, but it’s quickly becoming a necessity.
Although the iPad will boast HD content through iTunes, a quick glance around the iPad reveals that there isn’t a video output slot, making it impossible for users to transfer video content to an HDTV or monitor. For now, it seems that the iPad’s video capabilities will rely only on iTunes
When a user receives an important email on their Mac and decides to print it out, they simply click the “print” button and do it. The iPad doesn’t boast that luxury. Although Apple is marketing the iPad as the device that can bridge the gap between the iPhone and the laptop, the company’s tablet computer won’t allow for printing to a connected device. It’s a major omission that could make some think twice about the iPad.
The iPad lacks an optical drive. Admittedly, the iPad is meant to be a mobile product that won’t replace a computer. But if Apple wants to market it as an entertainment product, wouldn’t it make sense to make it easy for users to view or rip movies and television shows on the device
Some point to the iPad’s $499 (£318) price tag as a reason to pick up the device. Let’s be honest, the $499 version lacks 3G and it has the smallest available hard drive. The device’s price tag is great for folks who want to only use the iPad at home and won’t add much content to it, but the iPad is meant to be a portable iPod Touch that can house entertainment content. A 16GB hard drive with no 3G connectivity won’t adequately deliver that experience.
Since the iPad doesn’t offer E-Ink technology or an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)] display, reading on its display might be difficult for extended periods. It’s another feature that Apple has glossed over. Yes, the iPad’s technology allows for viewing e-books in color, but E-Ink is so successful as an e-reader technology because it mimics a real book and allows for longer reading periods without eye strain. The iPad will be like reading a book on a larger iPhone display. That’s probably not best for most readers.
Although Steve Jobs touts the iPad’s many built-in features, what about all those peripherals that users might want to add to the device? Since it lacks a USB (and FireWire) port, connecting to peripherals won’t be so easy. Admittedly, Apple has said that the dock will be used for some add-ons, but that requires users to buy yet another device to get their products to work. Omitting a USB port was a major blunder on Apple’s part.
Apple spent considerable time with developers showing off applications for the iPad. It even said that every app in the App Store will run on the iPad without any extra tinkering on the developer’s part. That said, it conveniently glossed over the fact that any app that hasn’t been updated to work with the iPad won’t fit the device’s display. That’s a bummer.
Steve Jobs said the iPad was revolutionary during the iPad announcement. But further inspection reveals that it’s really nothing more than a larger iPod Touch. More importantly, it’s competing in a space where several products, including those from Dell and HP, might provide a better tablet experience. Of course, Apple doesn’t want users to know about the competition. But they might be surprised to learn that, when it comes to tablets, the iPad isn’t necessarily the best offering.
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You seem to be Apple haters?
The iPad will be a bestseller, wanna bet? :)
It seems to me that one reason Apple won't tell you those things is that many aren't true:
"That omission ensures that a large percentage of websites won't work on the iPad"
Define 'large percentage'. There are very, very few web sites that run entirely on Flash. How large is this percentage?
"Those who are hoping to work in iWork and surf the web at the same time will be disappointed with the iPad."
It's true you can't multitask, but very people actually work in iWork and surf the web at the same time. Most people switch between the apps, rather than have them tiled onscreen at the same time, which is perfectly possible on an iPhone and on iPad. I doubt the iPad's screen size will have many people wanting to have many app windows open at the same time either.
"Although the iPad will boast HD content through iTunes, a quick glance around the iPad reveals that there isn't a video output slot, making it impossible for users to transfer video content to an HDTV or monitor. For now, it seems that the iPad's video capabilities will rely only on iTunes"
The iPad will have VGA output: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/02/08/inside_apples_ipad_vga_video_output.html Okay, not high def, but it will have video output.
"the company's tablet computer won't allow for printing to a connected device. "
No, you won't be able to print to a connected device because you won't be able to connect a printer to it. That much is obvious surely, especially since you mention the lack of USB port later? But you will be able to print to wireless printers. The iPhone can already do this using free apps from the various printer manufacturers such as HP or through apps such as WePrint http://mobile.eurosmartz.com/print/download.html
" That said, it conveniently glossed over the fact that any app that hasn't been updated to work with the iPad won't fit the device's display. "
The iPad has a zoom function to allow you to increase iPhone apps to run at iPad screen size.
You sir are an idiot. What a waste of time.
Why hang all these extra things off the side of a wireless device? That makes no sense.
The author seems to get many things wrong. Indeed, the entire basis of the article, that Apple is attempting to hide certain shortcomings of the device, is flawed.
The one I wanted to point out was regarding multi-tasking. Apple has limited 3rd party multitasking, but has not limited multitasking of its own applications on the iPhone OS. So, in the author's example, there wouldn't be any problem multitasking between iWork and Safari.
The author is basically just making things up. In my book, this either makes him a fabulist (like Aesop) or an outright liar.
While the iPad may not live up to the hype that the media itself created, this so-called journalist has written an article full of fear, uncertainty and doubt.
I strongly recommend that anyone interested in the iPad do his/her own research on the subject (since it is obviously clear that the author of this article didn't).
And, for what it's worth, I consider omitting flash from the iPad a feature, not a detriment. Having flash based advertisements consuming my battery would be detriment. Flash is the web of the past. HTML 5 is the web of the future. Hats off to Apple for looking forwards rather than backwards.
the thing is, there is video output but you have to do research for that instead of assuming...we all know what that means
Wow! Don you really have no idea what you are talking about. You are wrong on every one of you points. The iPad is going to be a huge success. Just wait until apps specifically for it come out from others developers than Apple. You really just "don't get it" do you?
In addition to a perfectly adequate video out, there's also a useable USB connection through the sync connection.
Multitasking. Most people rarely need it.
What Apple didn't mention -I don't know what they didn't mention, and neither does the author of this tripe. We'll find out when they start selling, and I expect there will be lots of good things they failed to mention as well
As always, mac baiters rarely do any research, and have to invent misinformed rumours to spread their words
I manage our campus Blackboard e-learning system. The iPad has great potential in e-learning. However I agree that the lack of flash (and more important java) means that we won't be able to recommend it for students to use in courses on our campus.
The article also missed some other problems, like the lack of a video camera for video conferencing. Also, how difficult would it be to put in support for an SD card so users can add more memory? The user interface for apps also still sucks (why can't we have folders to organize apps?)
But the article also did get a lot of things wrong. The main thing it got wrong is this device is NOT intended to be a laptop replacement. It's a light-weight tablet.
It's also NOT just a large iPod Touch. Sure, it's backwards compatible with iPod Touch devices, but it has unique features (like the larger screen) that will allow for its own more capable applications (like the email etc. built in). These will differentiate it from the iPhone, which can still focus on it's better mobility.
The article is correct there is no multitasking. However, there is easy application switching. For example, if I run email, then go to the web browser, BOTH applications remember where I was. When I go back into them, I pick up where I left off. That's more important than multitasking. If you want multitasking, install VNC on it and use it as a monitor to access your desktop computer.
I'm not an Apple Fanboy. I have never bought an Apple product (but won an iPod Touch I use daily). I'm not going to buy the current iPad. But when iPad G2 comes out, if it supports flash and java and has a camera, then I might be tempted to buy it.