Now that the excitement towards Apple's iPad has now calmed down, people can think more clearly about the device that has received more hype than all other new devices in recent history combined. Naturally, there are some disappointed techies and ordinary end users out there who rant about anything from the lack of built-in camera to the fact that the device heats up in direct sunlight. And of course, there are always those who are eager to say everything that is good about Apple's newest creation. So what really is the score with this 'magical' and 'revolutionary' device? Here's our take.
iPad's Shortcomings
It does not multitask. Well, this isn’t entirely true. iPad can multitask when its running its own applications. Multitasking stops when you begin running third-party applications such as IM apps.
For the most parts, this is bearable. Not many users complain about the fact that they can’t update their tweets on Twitter, while commenting on a post thread in a forum or Facebook and at the same time watching live TV and writing emails. This doesn’t seem to bother the majority of users. But if you are a techie, this is a huge disappointment. $499 doesn’t justify the device at all. Na ah.
It doesn’t support Flash. Apple has some issues with Flash. It's unstable, vulnerable to bugs among other things. So the company is not supporting it, and will probably not, ever. Not that the company does not offer an alternative. It does. It is, in fact, pushing its own HTML5, which is recently making waves online. But with less than one percent of all websites have converted to HTML5. This poses some major risks of not being able to surf the web without a glitch. Well, not supporting Flash is definitely a bummer.
It doesn’t support a built-in camera. Prior to iPad's launching, rumors have spread that it comes with a camera. Apparently, it doesn’t. At least not yet. And that definitely has caused uproar among disconcerted enthusiasts of anything that bears Apple's logo.
It doesn’t allow users to do real work with it. Well, it does, only to a certain degree. Apple seems to have a penchant for eliminating documents and files within its power so it's apps, apps and apps all the way. But it does offer Keynote, Numbers and Pages, which by the way are superb tools you can work with.
And the list goes on…
iPad's Offers
From an ordinary user's point of view, there is nothing that you can't love about iPad. We won't enumerate all the things that make iPad a very beautiful, all-around device here. There's just so many, you may fall in love with it and want to marry it.
But maybe, just maybe, iPad's detractors are looking for a perfect device that can do everything everyone could ever wish for. Or perhaps, they are looking at the device the wrong way. Many are taking the wrong approach to the device, comparing it with netbooks and laptops and other devices in between. Apple is perhaps trying to create a new device that is a hybrid yet performs at par or better than existing devices.
But for all its worth, iPad is definitely ushering in a possible future for personal computing technology and user interface.
Sweeping generalizations branded iPad as nothing more than an expensive toy. And having more thousands and thousands of applications doesn't help much with its image. But is it really just a toy? Or is there something more to it than having a horsepower powerful enough to host as much apps as you want?
A Multimedia Player
It is, without the slightest hint of doubt, among the cheapest yet best-performing multimedia player in the market these days. It has superb software that can handle high definition videos as well nearly all forms of audio files, video files, podcasts, TV shows, and music. For the most parts, having all these functions is more than the price buyers will have to dole out for the device.
An E-Reading Device
Many have dubbed iPad as the biggest threat to Amazon's Kindle. Despite Kindle's dedicated capabilities for e-reading, many Kindle users have already hopped in the iPad bandwagon to switch from the 1.2 pounds eBook reading Kindle DX to 1.5 pounds consolidated multimedia device that can fare as well as Kindle in its function.
Lots Of Apps To Use
Apple's tagline: 'there's an app for that', is not a marketing hyperbole. It is a reality. As if this selection is not mind-boggling enough, third party apps creators and developers are constantly creating new apps to add to the extensive collection that Apple has. So it is just more apps from here.
Wi-Fi
In the apple ecosystem, nothing is ever without internet connection. You can definitely use iPad wherever hotspots are present.
3G Connection
No Wi-Fi hotspot nearby? No problem. Apple integrates 3G with its iPad. Like it's smaller sibling – the iPhone, iPad can connect to AT&T's 3G network. What is so remarkable with this arrangement is that it does not bind users with long-term contracts. Activate or deactivate your 3G connection however you want, iPad and AT&T's partnership is purely customizable.
Hulu, YouTube and Other Video Hosting Sites
The lack of flash in iPad is a frequent complain. In fact, a monumental drawback. But download an app and you can have this problem resolved in no time. Although for now, the application is only applicable to YouTube. Other applications are expected to be available very soon.
Web Browsing
iPad uses Apple's own web browser- Safari, the same browser that iPod Touch and Mac use. Only with iPad, the features are enhanced to accommodate the touch screen technology of the device.
Bluetooth
This is a no-brainer. Apple's iPad takes advantageous of external devices that connects via Bluetooth. Soon retail stores will be flooded with anything iPad – from Bluetooth keyboards to Bluetooth headphones.
Storage Capacity
Whether you are a media-hungry user or not, you can have options with iPad. You can go with 16GB, 32 GB and 64 GB versions.
Productive Software Applications
Productivity apps such as Pages, Keynote and Numbers are available in iPad as well, making it as much a toy as a productivity device.
Email
With the help of its virtual keyboard and email application, you can send and receive emails on the go. Given of course that you have access online.
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