My iPad reached a milestone of sorts today. It was the first day I haven’t used my iPod Touch at all. And for all intents and purposes it will be awhile before I use it again. I would have kept it as a music/audiobook/podcast devices but opted to pull my iPod Nano out of retirement for that. Although as I write this on my iPad I’m also listening to music on the iPad, not the Nano.
The iPad replaced my net book awhile ago. This isn’t to say the iPad is a netbook replacement for everyone, by my net book was used mostly around the house and mostly for web surfing, email and text editing. And since the iPad is quicker and easier to grab and use then my netbook is, it just naturally became what I used.
September and October is when PC maker’s typically release new products (back to school) and we’re supposed to see a bunch of tablet devices later this year. I’m looking forward to it. I’m hoping there’s some innovation and price reductions to give Apple some competition. If nothing else it will hopefully drive Apple to develop better products.
The question is how much of the iPad’s popularity is due to something that’s uniquely Apple and what can be copied.
Here’s what’s made the iPad an integral part of my daily routine that can be copied by any manufacturer:
- All day battery. This is a deal breaker for me. I wouldn’t have said that before getting the iPad, but now that I have it I couldn’t live without it. Not having to pack a power cable or worry about finding power is freeing. The teardown photos show why the iPad is heavy, most of it’s innards is battery.
- Grab it/Use it. This one is hard to describe but basically means when I want to use the iPad I pick it up and use it immediately. No fumbling, no juggling. Any screen orientation is right-side up unless I’m using legacy iPhone apps. When the iPad was released there were complains that the headphone Jack should be on the bottom. Turn it over and it is, and the screen re-orients. The onscreen keyboard is immensely usable, especially in landscape mode (the way I’m using it now).
- Intuitive UI. While the UI may not be perfect it is extremely intuitive. I’ve given it to non-tech people and they were using it right away. Yes, there are a frustrating number of hidden commands and shortcuts and 3rd party apps can be a crap shoot. But this isn’t a barrier to entry and the initial experience is good.
Sure, My iPad came of age today and I love it. But I’m even more excited about future competitors.
No comments yet.