So in the midst of all this food writing I did, I sort of missed the fact that Apple’s iPad, the “magical and revolutionary” multi-touch device, came out to excited Apple users everywhere a few days back. Touted as a mobile tool of convenience with the power of iPod Apps, the iPad has caused a bit of a stir these past few days as early adopters fall in love and haters engage in methods of wanton destruction.
Me? I think that even though Apple has made a living out of touting forward-thinking tools that end up having mass appeal, that much of what the iPad has to offer is really short term interest and curiosity. I say this because the iPod and iPhone, two devices whose success speaks for themselves, came out during a time when there was a gap to be filled in their respective communities. We didn’t have a massive, easy, online music store that went along with our mp3 players and we didn’t really have a phone that offered more than just the basics. But the iPad, whose features seem a bit too similar to both tablet PC’s and iPod/iPhone, seems to straddle a market that already has dedicated devices in it.
Not to worry though – this -is- an optimistic blog after all – I can’t think that this isn’t be a good thing. For one, touch devices have had a bit of a success story after initial trepidation. Many of today’s phones, for example, tout touch technology and app strength as a selling point for users wanting to find convenience without too many button presses. Tablet PC’s have seen a bit of a slower uptick in mass appeal. The iPad, even if it tanks after a couple months of initial buzz, will at least drive the market awareness of touch devices as something that is worth pursuing in the mobile arena. Mistakes may be made, but based upon those a good foundation can be built for people who want to take advantage of the technology in the future, when it’s a bit more refined. Someone has to be the trailblazer who dies of dysentery on the way, right? (Go go old school game references)
For now, whether you love the iPad or hate it, take some pleasure in the fact that a lot of people are paying attention to it – even if it’s to see if it handles itself under, well…..pressure: