The Device Consumers Deserve, But Not The One They Need

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After months of speculation and hype; Apple announced the highly anticipated iPad as the best way to experience the web, email, photos and video. Hands down? Really?! To start the iPad’s browser does not support Adobe Flash, the foundation of rich media on the web today. The transition to HTML5 and CSS 3 for rich web content has started but until it does, it’s ridiculous to call this device the best way to experience the web.

The device features built-in apps that were designed from the ground up to take advantage of the large Multi-Touch screen. This apparently allows users to do things with them that we can’t do on any other device. Although, multi-tasking wasn't considered important and the lack of SDCards, USB ports and a camera is also questionable. Even with the exclusion of these features, the device still has a role -

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad as a device to fill the gap between smartphones like the iPhone and high-end laptops like the MacBook and MacBook Pro. He said there needs to be a middle device, but it needs to be better than the alternatives at what it does. Netbooks currently fill the void, but according to Jobs, “netbooks aren’t better at anything.” He and his colleagues at Apple believe that the iPad is.

The iPad isn't a replacement for anything, it's not a creative device instead it's all about consuming content. Through audio, video, applications, books and the web, Apple wants us to devour content on the iPad. Downloading our entertainment fix from it's successful iTunes Store. What would Tyler Durden say [sic] "We're consumers. We are by-products of a lifestyle obsession". He's right! I'm impressed with the iPad, but I feel it could have offered so much more! I have decided to wait for the next iteration, much like my stance with the iPhone. I expect then the developer community to have adjusted to the device, providing innovation, applications and services for the device.

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