portfolio & design blog of logo & identity designer, Graham Smith
Tried to resist the urge to blog about the iPad, seems everyone else is fulfilling that spot frequently enough for most of us. But i have considered writing a small piece that would just explain how I would plan to use the Apple iPad. This is a small introduction to a post that Mark Crump on theAppleBlog wrote up which sums up nicely my own thoughts.
I have already decided on buying the iPad, the 3G specifically. I can also give more than adequate reasons why I can justify this purchase. I am not in a position where I can just buy ‘nice’ gadgets for the sake of it, I really do need to be able to justify, to myself, that the cost is warranted.
When I first started watching the Steve Job’s iPad presentation via CNN, I was dubious at best. It seemed a lackluster presentation. It does email, it browses, it does maps etc. Yeah well, so does my iPhone. I was quick to tweet less than positive remarks during this first phase of the iPad introduction. The audience also seemed quiet and subdued for the most part. Steve paused for moments where it felt he was anticipating a raucous response; silence. This didn’t help my perception as a whole.
Things changed when they started focusing on the individual aspects of the iPad and my interest peaked. I slowly started seeing just why the iPad has so much potential, now and in the future. And it really does have a future. The last few days I have read and digested a lot of articles and reviews on the iPad and can see clear as light how the iPad will change our perception of mobile computing.
Everyone uses the iPhone release as the example of how we dismissed Apple and the unlikely success of the iPhone, but then developers saw the light and now it is history and the future. The same will happen with the iPad and I know it will beat the iPhone in changing our initial skepticism.
The iPad is consumer wallet friendly
For those that are complaining the iPad doesn’t have this or that, you need to remind yourselves that Apple have made huge efforts to keep this iPad cost affective for the majority of us. This is why all those extras you were anticipating are not there. It’s not possible to add that kitchen sink and still make it affordable for the rest of us. This is a huge departure for Apple, to break the cycle of releasing products that are cool but also require an investment.
That the iPad is more than adequate, especially for the price.
Business uses for the iPad
So I came across this article on theAppleBlog: Business uses for the iPad. This sums up pretty perfectly my own thoughts and reasoning on how the iPad will compliment and enhance my own working routine.
This article is a no nonsense and practical view on how the iPad could help you if you find yourself have flexibility in your daily working routine.
Mobile working
I do work from home and I also frequently work in coffee shops. I take my work anywhere I can sit down and do some sketching, some reading or some light email and web browsing, not to mention keeping in the Twitter dialogue on a daily basis. I am grateful for this flexibility in my day after 20 plus years of working in rather dark and spaceless studios.
I currently haul my 17″ MacBook Pro and my iPhone when out and about. With my books, my notepads and moisturising cream and bottle of water; this becomes quite a bundle to carry. I can easily visualise being able to slip the iPad in my shoulder bad and slip the MacBook out for a much lighter out of office experience. For those of you used to hauling the 17″ around, you know what I mean. With that extra battery pack, the mains charger it becomes quite a beast.
I have on occasion considered swapping the 17″ for a leaner and lighter 13″ or 15″ for this very reason, but felt it wasn’t the answer I was looking for. The iPad now seems like this missing link for portability in casual mobile computing.
The iPad will be a welcome relief.
Categories: Blogging
Tagged: apple, ipad, iphone, macworld, mark crump < Previous: TypeTweets – Typography Twitter mash-up
> Next: Logo Design Tips – Who is the Decision Maker?
Great post and we see many creatives agreeing with you, which will be the base the iPad needs to be a success. Heck, even Adobe is looking at iPad apps. See:
http://www.markzware.com/blogs/adobe-illustrator-indesign-ipad-coming-soon-adobe-asks-feedback/2010/02/01/
Great post and we see many creatives agreeing with you, which will be the base the iPad needs to be a success. Heck, even Adobe is looking at iPad apps. See:
http://www.markzware.com/blogs/adobe-illustrator-indesign-ipad-coming-soon-adobe-asks-feedback/2010/02/01/
I think the iPad has suffered alot of unwarranted criticism. It’s not supposed to replace everything and do everything.
I’d never considered reading a book on a device before but with ipad I probably would.
I’ll certainly be taking a closer look and deciding whether I’d get the use out of it.
Time will change the ‘fence sitters’ I’m sure… :) Not sure I will move to ebooks, still prefer taking a nice solid paperbook to bed. :)
I think the iPad has suffered alot of unwarranted criticism. It’s not supposed to replace everything and do everything.
I’d never considered reading a book on a device before but with ipad I probably would.
I’ll certainly be taking a closer look and deciding whether I’d get the use out of it.
Time will change the ‘fence sitters’ I’m sure… :) Not sure I will move to ebooks, still prefer taking a nice solid paperbook to bed. :)
Nice post Graham. I am sure people will (and I see they already are) appreciating the iPad as you did.
Nice post Graham. I am sure people will (and I see they already are) appreciating the iPad as you did.
Pingback: uberVU - social comments
Overall, u made some good points but i fault the comparison you made between the ipad and the 17′ MBP. They are completely different!
While the ipad is more like a media consumption device, the MBP is a much more productive device.
You mentioned been able to sketch on it. Do u really think u can sketch well enough without a stylus?
I don’t actually expect to ‘sketch’ on the iPad, I was more describing some of the things I do when I do work out of the office. I specifically use my MoleSkine for sketches anyway.
Obviously there are things I will not be able to do on the iPad that I can do on the laptop. But, for the most part, when I am out and about, not with the laptop, the iPad would make a much more accessibly device than the iPhone. Just yesterday, I spent 2 hrs on the iPhone, using Twitter, Facebook, surfing and emails. After 2 hours on the iPhone, one pair of strained eyes.
I tend to always go out with my shoulder bag, if the laptop was smaller and lighter I would take it more often. So the iPad actually does fit a gap in my routine. Not saying its right for everyone, but the iPad is a device I will use. :)
Overall, u made some good points but i fault the comparison you made between the ipad and the 17′ MBP. They are completely different!
While the ipad is more like a media consumption device, the MBP is a much more productive device.
You mentioned been able to sketch on it. Do u really think u can sketch well enough without a stylus?
I don’t actually expect to ‘sketch’ on the iPad, I was more describing some of the things I do when I do work out of the office. I specifically use my MoleSkine for sketches anyway.
Obviously there are things I will not be able to do on the iPad that I can do on the laptop. But, for the most part, when I am out and about, not with the laptop, the iPad would make a much more accessibly device than the iPhone. Just yesterday, I spent 2 hrs on the iPhone, using Twitter, Facebook, surfing and emails. After 2 hours on the iPhone, one pair of strained eyes.
I tend to always go out with my shoulder bag, if the laptop was smaller and lighter I would take it more often. So the iPad actually does fit a gap in my routine. Not saying its right for everyone, but the iPad is a device I will use. :)
Where have you been? The media honeymoon is over on this lousy device. It has no multitasking, no camera, no GPS, no FM radio, can’t make phone calls, and can’t run Mac apps. It’s a lousy device. Here’s a humorous video that pretty much sums it up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4
Regardless of all the above, it still performs a function that I will find very useful, see my comment above. I for one, would be happy for a oversized, faster iPhone. Perfect for days when I am out and about, but not in the mood for ‘proper’ working. Having a device that allows me to email, surf, tweet for hours without having to look at a tiny iPhone screen and not lug around a hefty laptop is very welcome. I spend a lot of time doing social media stuff, marketing my own business. A laptop is overkill for these moments, and a iPhone lacks the spirit for anything more than half an hour.
I don’t need multi-tasking on my iphone, yet I am able to work effectively via it, except eye strain for the small screen. I have a phone for phone calls, can’t imagine wanting to hold up the iPad to my ears! :)
It’s certainly not lousy just because it doesn’t feature the specifics you want.
Perfect :0)
Where have you been? The media honeymoon is over on this lousy device. It has no multitasking, no camera, no GPS, no FM radio, can’t make phone calls, and can’t run Mac apps. It’s a lousy device. Here’s a humorous video that pretty much sums it up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4
Regardless of all the above, it still performs a function that I will find very useful, see my comment above. I for one, would be happy for a oversized, faster iPhone. Perfect for days when I am out and about, but not in the mood for ‘proper’ working. Having a device that allows me to email, surf, tweet for hours without having to look at a tiny iPhone screen and not lug around a hefty laptop is very welcome. I spend a lot of time doing social media stuff, marketing my own business. A laptop is overkill for these moments, and a iPhone lacks the spirit for anything more than half an hour.
I don’t need multi-tasking on my iphone, yet I am able to work effectively via it, except eye strain for the small screen. I have a phone for phone calls, can’t imagine wanting to hold up the iPad to my ears! :)
It’s certainly not lousy just because it doesn’t feature the specifics you want.
Perfect :0)
I’m sure you meant “cost effective”, not affective. Although the low price gives rise to emotions such as joy :)
I can see where the iPad will replace my MacBook Air. I mostly use the MBA for media consumption, websurfing, twittering, writing meeting agendas and notes, and some spreadsheet stuff. I never use the external CD drive. Most of the apps I use are available for the iPhone: Things, Basecamp”Insight”, 1Password, Dropbox, Logmein, Amazon Kindle, Instapaper, Skype, Bento, Facebook, Merlin, whilst many are only available on the iPhone, not the Mac: Swiss Airlines app, Shazam, and many games.
I’m sure you meant “cost effective”, not affective. Although the low price gives rise to emotions such as joy :)
I can see where the iPad will replace my MacBook Air. I mostly use the MBA for media consumption, websurfing, twittering, writing meeting agendas and notes, and some spreadsheet stuff. I never use the external CD drive. Most of the apps I use are available for the iPhone: Things, Basecamp”Insight”, 1Password, Dropbox, Logmein, Amazon Kindle, Instapaper, Skype, Bento, Facebook, Merlin, whilst many are only available on the iPhone, not the Mac: Swiss Airlines app, Shazam, and many games.
I think the second generation iPad is going to be where it’s at. It is a reasonable price but it seems as though there are some features that it doesn’t currently have that I would think they would add in the future.
I think the second generation iPad is going to be where it’s at. It is a reasonable price but it seems as though there are some features that it doesn’t currently have that I would think they would add in the future.
I just rewatched the keynote in my podcasts and changed my mind about the iPad as well. I was on the fence about it but like you, starting considering the individual things about it and decided it would be a great addition to my computing setup.
Oh, and 3G, most certainly.
I just rewatched the keynote in my podcasts and changed my mind about the iPad as well. I was on the fence about it but like you, starting considering the individual things about it and decided it would be a great addition to my computing setup.
Oh, and 3G, most certainly.