Laptop killer? One cyclist’s thoughts on the iPad
I’m typing this post on my iPad. It only seems fair that I should use this hot selling device to blog about it. If it is a little short. It isn’t because I don’t have a lot to say… but I’m getting ahead of myself.
First, I have to explain how I came to get an iPad. It wasn’t because I was standing in line waiting for the latest gift to come down to the masses from Apple. While I love a new gadget just as much as the next guy, I didn’t see myself getting one. So, why am I typing on one now?
My two business partners were on a trip to Denver when I saw a tweet from one of them, “I just pre-ordered an iPad. Let the mocking begin.” I knew he was interested in one. I replied, “So, did DW get one?” He then sent a direct message saying, “Yes, and we got one for you too.” Guess you can chalk up my iPad to a good first quarter.
Once I had it, I decided to give it a try. I had some visions for how I would incorporate it into everyday life. Here are my first impressions of how well the device fulfills them.
Live Versus streaming from eyeTV to the iPad
The first thing my kids said when they saw it was, “Wow, that is a big iPhone!” Sure enough your first experience is just like that… using an extra large iPhone.
That is both good and bad. Bad because some of the things you have become used to with your phone are not there — camera, cell data connection, and… well… phone service (several times I went looking for the SMS app!)
At the same time some of the annoying things about the iPhone as more than just a phone are overcome with the iPad. First thing you notice is the beautiful screen. It is very pleasant to look at and the colors are crisp and easily viewed. It gives you that extra real-estate that makes apps into what you knew they could be.
The keyboard is also a major improvement. Still, for my hands it is a little small making this attempt at typing a blog entry quite laborious. I would have to point out that my office intern with her smaller hands found it comfortable.
I know, I know, it isn’t supposed to be a phone. It is supposed to be a laptop killer. Unfortunately, while I believe the device has the potential, I would have to say that either Apple is going to have to change its ways… or the computer and software industry will have to in order to make it happen.
As a cyclist there are certain things for which I use my laptop. There are things that I cannot do on my iPhone… or at least not comfortably. How do these things fit with my iPad use?
1. Keeping up with the cycling community and races.
Here the iPad shines – for the most part. I find myself drawn to the iPad over the computer or the iPhone for reading blogs, reading my favorite cycling news sites, and following my Twitter pals. The iPad is fast! It is also a comforting device. The way it fits in your hands like a book with direct interaction from your finger tips makes the experience more intimate.
Where it fails miserably is in an area where it should excel. It would be so cool to be able to watch European races on the device. However, Apple’s war against Flash and lack of incorporating Microsoft SilverLight into the browser basically takes away your options. I’m not a fan of injudicious use of Flash, but when so many sites use Flash for live streaming players…
2. Keeping up with my training.
Once again the Flash deal comes to bite me. I use TrainingPeaks on the web when I don’t have access to my WKO+ on my laptop. Here I think the problem lies with TrainingPeaks. Flash is not the best option for that type of application, in my humble opinion. Fact is, that is what was used to code it and therefore I can’t use it on my iPad.
Even if there were apps written for the various devices I use to collect my data, I would have a hard time getting it on the device. There is only the 32 pin connector to work with. Plus, Apple hasn’t shown much love to 3rd party developers using ANT+ technologies. In my mind there are some incredible applications for a device like this in the sports arena only it would require Apple to be a little more open.
3. Blogging about it all.
I saw one tech journalist who said that the iPad was great for consuming information. The unsaid point was that it isn’t the best for inputting information. This is true. First, it is just harder to use than a traditional keyboard. Second, many of the web based applications for blogging, etc. have minor hiccups on the iPad browser. You end up using apps that have limited functionality — based on an iPhone world.
I had a friend who left for a business trip to the West Coast. He left his laptop at home and took only his iPad! Not a good idea. The business world it not ready… yet. I heard just a few moments ago of a student who sold his laptop to buy an iPad. Closer… but if he plans to use it for anything other than just school, good luck. It should be noted that the iPad is set up pretty well for a classroom environment.
The iPad is a cool entertainment device that falls somewhere in usefulness between the iPhone and a laptop. It isn’t going to replace either one any time soon. Is it the precursor of what portable machines will be like? Yes. Is it currently a laptop killer? No.
Tags: iPad
Great review, I like reading iPad reviews from as many different viewpoints as possible to judge how purposeful it is. For me as a college student, art major at that, I think it would be absolutely perfect for me to carry around instead of my heavy Macbook Pro for simple tasks. It is a hassle for taking notes, but so is writing by hand so the iPad could settle in between. It would be great for our cycling team meetings, I’m sure for yours as well. You could go through an agenda in a pages document, enter stats or race dates in a spreadsheet, and review photos and kick back at the end. Enjoy your iPad, I’ll have one eventually…
Can you download pictures to it directly?
I’d never call an iPad a laptop killed, even though most of the media has tried and that doesn’t do anything but hurt the device. It’s a go between the iPhone and the laptop. Sometimes I don’t want to wait for my laptop to boot to check a website, but I don’t want to view it on the iPhones little screen. iPad is perfect. When I get one though, it’ll be for one primary use. A Kindle DX on steroids. It can read books from all the online book stores, and it’s color! Thanks for the review and the Eyetv app looks great.
BTW, iPhone OS 4.0 is being announced as I type this.
Paul, yes you can… with an adapter made specifically for that purpose.
Yaniel, I agree. I find myself using my iPhone less and less… and my laptop less and less… until I reach on of those times when I have to use one of them for something the iPad doesn’t do. I’ve already transferred my Kindle library and made my first iBook purchase. It is ideal as a reader… I just don’t have many cycling books so that didn’t fit with this post. Hope iPhone 4.0 will update the iPhone I just bought two months ago!
How old are your kids? My 6 year old doesn’t even know what an iPhone is!
12, 10, & 6 – they are up on technology. They like playing games on daddy’s phone!
The iPad will be the first Apple device that I’ve ever owned. I think those who approach the iPad with the expectation that it will compete, or replace the laptop will definitely be disappointed.
Apple clearly stated in the keynote address that was presented on the Apple website that the iPad is a NEW class of device intended to fit between the smartphone and the laptop. If you understand that before you enter the iPad world, you will enjoy life. If however, you didn’t research the device before purchasing, and you expect the iPad to compete with a laptop, life won’t be so happy. (smile)
The iPad is designed to consume data. That is where it excels. It can be used to create data, but that is not where you get your money’s worth, although I do think it is a suitable device for “editing” data. I am not an Apple evangelist, but my shiny new 3G iPad is scheduled to show up in the mail tomorrow, and I can’t WAIT. I’ve already logged over 5 hours on the iPad at the stores. It is going to serve me well!
Thanks, Marcus. I’ve been using my iPad WIFI for several weeks now and the only thing that I can has really been an issue is the lack of connectivity outside of hot spots. I too will see that rectified tomorrow when my shiny new 3G iPad arrives.