The new iPad with WiFi will be out in March. The WiFi/3G combo will be released in April. Either way, I think I’m going to be a part of its release.
I’ve called Apple in hopes to review and test the new iPad for KVOA – in an effort to see if it’s worth the hype. Current feedback suggests it’s a glorified iPhone and really misses the mark and contains nothing “special”, some even believing it’s very “unApple-Like”. Revolutionary-less.
But I am intrigued. I felt the same way back when the Newton was released! Remember that? And I highly doubt it’ll have the same (lack of) impact on the market.
First off, I love my iPhone. Can’t stand AT&T’s service, but love the phone. It’s sleek,
sexy and does pretty much everything I need it to do (thanks to updates as of late).
The iPad will only expand what I need the iPhone to do. First off, if I’m flying somewhere more than two hours away, I usually RENT a movie from iTunes and download to my laptop – then sync it over to my iPhone. The phone with a pair of Bose Noise-Canceling headphones makes the flight pass quickly and peacefully.
The downfall, of course, is squinting at the little iPhone screen and holding it in your hand. Gets old.
Problem solved with the iPad. The large screen will make viewing movies much more enjoyable. You will easily be able to prop it up against the back-rest of the squished passenger in front of you. And the 10-hour battery life will keep you rest assured that your viewing of “Public Enemies” won’t crap out at the 1:10 mark as mine did while watching it on my aging 12-inch G4 Powerbook. Battery power is so key, and the iPad promises a significant amount for what it gives you in return.
And if you’re a Nook or Kindle fan, I think the iPad will offer a nice alternate. The page flipping is so cool and sleek. The only downfall I see thus far is the cost of the eBooks – which could be in the $10-$12 range.
Of course the iPad boasts so many features, apps, email support, downloads, etc. But I don’t want it to do TOO much. Simpler is nice sometimes – and I think people can attest with the Kindle and Nook. They use it to crank through books – not MP3s, although it’s programmed to play such a thing.
So will the iPad be all it’s cracked up to be? We’ll see. Just anxious to test it out and find out something brilliant and “apple-esque” behind the screen.
More to follow.
