It’s weird. Since the iPad was announced I find myself thinking about different things I do and if I’d prefer to do them with an iPad (theoretically since, you know, I’ve never actually used one).
For example, I’m currently reading the Ensign, Wired, a book for work (which I think I’ll write about later), and of course the scriptures and dozens of blogs and websites. I usually have a notebook or my iPhone (with Evernote) nearby whenever I’m reading just in case I want to make a note or jot down an idea, so having an iPad where I could semi-easily flip over to my notes and back is appealing. Here are my thoughts on each. Ensign/Wired I would absolutely love to read the Ensign on an iPad, mostly because it would mean I’d have the latest edition with me. I honestly think I’d read more of the magazine if I had an iPad version. Wired is a toss-up. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s a brilliantly designed and laid-out publication right down to the paper choices and the different kinds of ink. (Seriously. Look at the covers from last year. Awesome.) Even if an iPad version of Wired were mind-blowingly good (better than this prototype) I don’t think I’d ever cancel my subscription to the physical version. Verdict? I want it. Ensign goes digital, but I’ll keep my physical subscription to Wired in addition to the digital version. Book – The Element
I just started this book for work and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t care at all if I was reading it on the iPad. While the cover has a nice feel to it the pages feel thin and cheap. I’d much rather load it up and read it.
However, if I was reading a book I was really into (What Would Google Do?) or something I wanted to have an experience with (Harry Potter series) I’d still want a physical copy. Plus, if it’s a book that gets my brain going I like to scribble things in the margins, underline parts that stand out and make notes. Call me old fashioned, but I love the feel of a book, the cover, seeing all the pages as they slowly move from one side to the other, and, yes, the smell. There’s something very satisfying about having completed a book which I’m doubtful you’d feel if you had a digital copy. Plus, someday I want to have a library/reading room in my house that I don’t yet own. Verdict? Meh. Maybe. Depends on the title. Blogs/Websites
Considering how much time I spend reading content online, the more I think about it, I think it could make a world of difference to read it all on something like an iPad. Especially longer posts/articles. Take this one for example. Great content that I think would be less intimidating/more easily digestible on something other than a horizontally-oriented browser.
Be honest: wouldn’t you rather be reading this on your couch with an iPad? That’s what I thought. However, consuming web content on the iPad has some limitations. While I read I like to be able to bookmark, share and save clips of things I’m reading. So unless they allow browser plugins for mobile Safari (ha!) the experience, in that respect, is going to be limited due to lack of a real browser. Verdict? Despite the browser’s shortcomings I think it would be awesome to read web content from an iPad. Gimme.Movies/Games
I rarely watch videos or play games on my iPhone. I’ve probably launched the YouTube app a grand total of six times since I’ve had my new phone. I don’t picture myself abandoning my new HDTV and watching stuff from my couch on a 4:3, 10″ screen.
Verdict? I don’t need yet another way to watch video. It’s a no-brainer to include it in the iPad, but I won’t be using it.
Lingering Doubts
A lot of what I do on the web has to do with content creation. I am a blogger after all. And while the iPad is designed to help you consume Thanksgiving-levels of content, I hope Apple (or, more likely, developers) imagine new and innovative ways for me to create, explore and share what’s in my head as well as gems I find while I engorge the gluttonous mass that is my daily information intake. Reading Room image courtesy of here – #12.
Tagged: Apple
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5 Comments
I feel about the same. I just got a new netbook that I absolutely love for blogging, writing, and social networking. But there are a lot of things I do on my iphone that I would rather do on an iPad. I’ve decided to get one, not as a device for my needs as a writer (which is what I originally hoped the ipad would be), but as a household web, email, and reading device for my wife and I. I still have a list of beefs with the thing, but what it is able to do it will do very well.
Just curious if you’d be shelling out the extra $$ for the 3G version … having a great portable device only gets you so far when you’re tied to a wi-fi connection.
No. It’s absurd to pay that much for a 3G antenna. $50 would be high, but more doable. It’s nice that the 3G prices are so much lower than laptops (which helps justify the price) but I don’t think I’d pay $130 for the ability to have 3G.You sound like you might though…?
My thoughts line up pretty well with yours. The only problem I see with reading so much content on an LCD screen is the backlight. Now, I haven’t tried reading on a tablet, but reading on my LCD monitor for too long can make my eyes strain and give me a headache. I haven’t tried an ereader either, but from what I’ve heard, it’s much better on the eyes than a backlit LCD screen. So that’s my problem with almost all of these new tablets that are coming out. But I also don’t necessarily want an ereader because you can only use it to read, and some ereaders are very limiting on what you can read (eg. Kindles don’t even read PDFs).What I really have my eye on is the Notion Ink Adam (http://www.slashgear.com/notion-ink-adam-hands-on-0969281/). Not only does it have the functionality of an iPad or similar tablet/slate, but because of its Pixel Qi screen, the non-backlit mode is very similar to an e-ink screen. So you can have the best of both worlds – flexibility and no eye strain from the LCD backlit screen. Let’s just hope they can keep the price down like they’ve promised.
I’m not going to pay the $400 for the iPad with or without 3g. I’ve got diapers to buy.