Apple finally took the wraps off its fabled tablet today, confirmed to be called the iPad as rumored. The device is intended to bridge the gap between the iPhone or iPod touch and a full-fledged laptop, but as “magical & revolutionary” as Steve Jobs thinks it may be, we can’t help but wonder what the company could have unveiled today that would have been more impressive.
Now don’t get us wrong: The iPad has some nice features and is sure to lead to many sleepless nights for more than a few tech executives (Amazon and Barnes & Noble spring immediately to mind). But many of us were hoping for something -- anything! -- else, especially since we were effectively robbed of the classic “one more thing” that Apple tends to cap off such events with.
Without further ado, our suggestions for the five things we’d have rather seen introduced today by the folks in Cupertino...
“We’re Getting Out of the Computer Business”
Okay, so we don’t really want to see Apple Inc. drop the Macintosh after 26 great years, although that certainly would have been a more mind-blowing announcement than the iPad itself was. But it seems to us that the iPad is going to start hacking away at their market for low-cost MacBooks (and maybe even iMacs) since there will be plenty of people who figure a $499 iPad coupled with a keyboard dock will get the job done perfectly fine for their tasks. Apple dropped “Computer” from their name three years ago and has been primarily focused on the mobile space, so… it’s not so crazy after all. (But we still hope it doesn’t happen.)
Thunderdome: Apple vs. Google
Everyone loves a good fight, and with the tensions between Apple and Google heating up in recent months, we would have loved to see Steve Jobs walk up and announce that he and the other executives in Cupertino would be holding a balls-to-the-wall battle royale with the executives from Mountain View, Thunderdome style. “You know the law: Two men enter, one man leaves,” as Tina Turner’s character in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome explains. We’re just sayin’…
A New iPhone From Anyone But AT&T
There were more than a few audible groans heard across the country today
when Steve Jobs announced the iPad’s 3G connectivity was coming from
its old iPhone partner-in-crime, AT&T -- the carrier everyone loves to hate. While the average person may not care too much until their
call gets dropped or their data connection slows to a crawl, some of us
(including at least one of our esteemed editors here at MacLife.com)
have deep, undying love for carriers such as Verizon, who has been
rumored to get the iPhone for what seems like forever now. It would have
been a perfect “one more thing” for El Jobso, but sadly a CDMA-based
handset from Apple appears to be as mythical now as the iPad itself was
only yesterday.
Free Software Updates For Life
Hey, they can do it on the App Store, so why are we still forking over our hard-earned cash for each new version of iLife or iWork or even Mac OS X, for that matter? We appreciate that $29 upgrade to Snow Leopard, guys, but… you know, free is where it’s at. Just ask your pals at Google!
Almost Anything Else
Call us whiners or complainers, but there hasn’t been a truly remarkable Apple event since the iPhone was first announced in January, 2007. We love the company to death, but their product introduction events are becoming anticlimactic (thanks to the overwhelming amount of rumors spread prior to the announcements) and if we say so, a bit boring, especially with the endless parade of developers on hand to demo their product when all we want to do is cut to the chase and find out how much it is and when we can buy it. While some of us will probably cave in and buy the iPad just because, overall we can’t help but wish there was simply more announced.
So, how about you, dear MacLife.com reader? Satisfied with the iPad announcement and all the joy it will bring to your life 60 days from now, or are you left with that hollow feeling in your gut, like something was missing from today’s announcement? Sound off in the comments!
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portbcv
January 30, 2010 at 10:18am
That would get me excited. I don't need an oversized iPod touch. On the iPhone front, what is to say that the glut of iPhone adopters, when moved over to Verizon or whomever, wouldn't have the same bogged down coverage with the Apple device? Maybe Apple's data transmissions are killing the 3G network. I also love Apple, but they tend to underwhelm every event. Or in this case, non-event.
oliverclothesoff
January 28, 2010 at 11:47pm
i kinda liked it. Steve was pretty clear about what it was good for. the only fail was browsing - how could it be better for browsing if it won't do flash? for me, the only things its really missing are: a webcam, usb port, and sd card slot. i'm not even too concerned about the iphone os. if it runs fast and the battery lasts long and there are useful applications (iWork was a win for me), that's all i care about. i don't even need it to multitask. i'm on a netbook, i'm used to only using one app at a time...
JM07
January 28, 2010 at 9:03am
What is the purpose of a tablet sized computer when you can't use it as a tablet? You can't use it for note taking in class or for drawing. You can't work you animation projects. Is this what we were looking for? It would have been nice to have a full fledged computer, with ilife therein. If Apple turns the device into a graphics tablet with stylus and connectivity to a Mac, and allows me to draw on my mac, I will indeed purchase the device.
mimbsky
January 28, 2010 at 6:54am
Sure I'm psyched about the iPad, but Apple, I expected more! Ditch iPhone OS and switch to something more capable like a more mobile friendly Mac OSX. If anyone has seen the Onion News Cast about the MacBook Wheel, there OS looks like a good one sans the wheel (Mac OSX with an on-screen keyboard).
jcguy15
January 27, 2010 at 7:03pm
I actually wasn't disappointed by the iPad, it looks like something (Apple) I'd actually buy. The price point stings just a little bit, but it's a new product.JCGUY15iPod touch 2nd Gen., Polycarbonate Unibody MacBook, iPod Nano 3rd Gen http://twitter.com/jcguy15
curbappeal
January 27, 2010 at 5:03pm
I, too, was really, really, reeeealy hoping for the 'and one more thing' announcement to be that Verizon was getting an iPhone. Kinda bummed about that not being true. Fingers crossed for July...??
At first, I wasn't really sure what I would use an iPad for, but now I think it could be handy for around the house. Sitting on the couch or in bed, I'd rather not have my heavy laptop on me. The iPad would be perfect, but I think it needs multitasking and flash before I would drop the dough for it.
maclife4Me
January 27, 2010 at 4:46pm
I love apple to death too, but just wish they do listen more of what people are looking for. We all begging to see a camera on ipod touch since the 2G. no show on 3g and now no show on ipad either? no to mention about still going partner with att. It's like using a fine Porsche to tow a two tons tailor... why? why?
caw61
January 27, 2010 at 4:32pm
If this had a camera, it would be absolutely perfect for video conferences. You'd really be able to put that beautiful screen to work!
Rohardi
January 27, 2010 at 3:40pm
THERE IS NO VERIZON IPHONE COMMING!!!!!!!!GET OVERIT VERIZON FANBOYS!!!!!!! DO YOU REMEBER VERIZON'S "MISFIT TOYS COMMERCIAL" APPLE HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH AT&T!!!! CASE IN POINT, WHO WILL BE PROVIDING THE SPECIAL PRICING FOR THE UNLIMITED DATA PLAN FOR THE iPAD???? AT&T!!! DID APPLE EVEN BOTHER TO PUT A CDMA RADIO IN TO THE iPAD???? NOPE.... SO THIS IS A MESSAGE TO ALL THE VERIZON FAN BOYS... GO GET A DROID!!!!!!!
Mike James
January 27, 2010 at 3:38pm
I'm a big Apple fan, and use Macs exclusively for (mostly 3D modeling) work. This introductory iPad doesn't thrill me. But...
Apple's iPad movie (on the home page) includes a remark that it "defines our vision of what's next". To me, that means that there will probably be larger and more capable versions in the future. A notebook or larger size, stylus input, OS X, and more computer-like functionality (i.e. multitasking) will ultimately make it something I want. I expect that we'll eventually see what amounts to a "touchscreen laptop".
Current 3D work: http://www.mikejamesmedia.com (including my pre-release concept model of the iPad)
AuditJedi
January 27, 2010 at 3:28pm
First I must agree with everything I've read today about the need for another carrier to get a piece of the pie...er....Apple. That being said, I ran across a computer tech at work whose brother supposedly worked for Verizon, specifically with CDMA, and was recently courted and hired by Apple to "work on a new project". For what that's worth.
Now as far as the iPad. I was REALLY hoping to hear about a phone app built into the device. With 3G and Bluetooth capability, I would gladly give up my iPhone and replace it with this device and answer calls through my Bluetooth headset or speaker. I'm really not keen on having to carry TWO devices around. Never worked for me carrying a mobile phone and a PDA. I always left the PDA behind. Guess I'll have to wait for version 2.0 or 3.0 and hopefully by then enough people will ask for it.
Everything else looks great....but for the price...I'd really need to be able to make it a replacement to my iPhone, not in addition to. I'm definitely not in a position to pay for TWO unlimited data plans.
Will definitely be watching the blogs to see what apps and new features are made available. As soon as I can replace my iPhone with the iPad, AND dump AT&T (worst service in Southern CA....I drop calls on Interstate 15 in San Diego), I'm there!
RussiPhone 3G 3.1.2Macbook iMac 27" with i7
