ordinary people just want something cheap that works. And that’s how the iPad will seem to them. Many will never make a conscious decision to switch. They’ll get an iPad as well, then find they use their Windows machine less and less. When it dies they won’t replace it.
I think this is totally true. And interestingly, I think its the same reason why the MacBooks have taken off recently. I am one of the converted. Mac "gets" mobile computing. They seem to understand that when I am on the move, I dont want headaches with network connections and I just want my Laptop to work!
This being said, the iPad is a disappointment for me because I really wanted something a bit more. I wanted something that run OSX, and had a stylus with multiple sensitivities. I also wanted it to have a conductive touch interface and I wanted it to be as thick as the air. THAT would have blown my world - however, I am convinced that this may actually be coming (at least in part) in the future.
I do think that the iPad was rushed and I do think that its uninspired (the iPhoneesque interface is starting to show its age). But I also think that this wont matter at the till. I also think that it opens up some interesting development ideas, specifically in the area of table-top gaming and traditional board games - especially when coupled with 'linked' iPhones.
I am very hopeful that the iPad succeeds in creating a new category of applications that use it unique feature set. I truly think that limiting it to Web browsing and Book Reading would be a terrible shame. And a waste.
I love my new phone. Its a HTC Touch Cruise and its certainly made me a happy panda. Even happier now that I can make it into a SUPER phone.
My current Windows Mobile based SUPERPhone. Recently, I installed much of the HTC Touch theme (along with files I modified - of course) and have come up with a great looking phone with minimal memory issues. This involved dumping some of my favorite programs including phoneAlarm and WisbarAdvance due to the amount of memory they eat up and the current instability of said programs on Windows Mobile Professional 6.
I often complain about Apple products. The recent launch of the iPhone 3G is merely just another example of this. Not only is the Apple Reality Distortion Field at full strength again, and now apparently the field has grown so strong that Apple doesn't even have to advertise with it's own cash anymore!
Is this honest to god "frontpage news"? Or have they considered making Apple pay for its own advertising, rather than letting it replace actual news content?
Update: Firstly I'd like to point out that I do understand the irony of posting this, since I am effectively providing free advertising to Apple as well. Secondly, I think the iPhone is just another phone; however I do think that the web browsing on it is second to none.
Update II: Thanks to Ben for pointing out this sweet clip from YouTube:
Today Apple is engaging in similar [legal] tactics against a number of bloggers who simply reported on the fact that someone created a skin for Windows Mobile phones that looks exactly like the new iPhone user interface [...] If Apple wants to go after the guy that made the Windows Mobile skin that looks like the iPhone, fine. But to bully bloggers who are simply reporting on this is another matter.Now, at the risk of dragging Touchstone into a cease and desist land mine, obvious bullying tactics like this are simply ridiculous. It's not the first time Apple has been so aggresive with the community. There was the Apple Rumor mill Wars, the more recent demanding that YouTube videos be removed from sites and various issues with the use of the iPod brand. Can I even say Podcast now?
This is the latest in a long line of over-the-top legal war-mongering. Apple has earned a lot of respect and loyalty from it's fan and not only does this irritate me, it may well kill one of their key stratigic advantages by acting this way.
Which is why I posting it here.
My theory is that if a company is going to actively and aggressively try to stop the blogosphere (which is largely only opinion anyway) then I will add to the news. What are they going to do if several million people post about it? Sue everyone? I don't think so.
