Discussion on:

The truth about iPad: It's only good for two things

You can throw a great paint job an a Model T but in the year 2011 a Model T isn't cutting it except for show
So for the more simplistic people that means that out dated technology is just that if you don't want to enjoy the modern things like heat in a vehicle (read flash) and the basics that every one else has then fine. Yes a Model T still turns heads when it goes down the road but......

The truth is that the iPad isn't "old Technology" (such as a Model A) so your's is a pretty poor analogy.

A more proper way to look at it would be to say that the iPad is (if we are going to use modes of transportation as the analogy) more like a motorcycle. It's not the fastest out there (but it's pretty dern quick), it's not loaded down with every option that is available on many motorcycles, and it's even a little on the pricy side.. BUT, it has it's strong points. It's VERY fuel efficient (even for a motorcycle). It's super easy to use and at the same time it is really safe because it never crashes. It's slick and nice to look at (lots of folks gawk at it and ask about it).. And, it's really durable.. AND it required little to no maintenance.

So, is this particular model a good fit for everyone looking for a vehicle? Of course not. Not only are there various types of motorcycles out there (we'll lump all tablets together on this one), but there are also cars, trucks and a few other modes of transportation to choose from. I would think that a calculator would be the equivalent of a scooter?!? I guess that makes your netbook would equal a Smart Car.

..And let me see if I've got this right.. your' complaining that a motorcycle doesn't have a heater. Sounds like you don't need a motorcycle if you ask me (since you are happy in your Smart Car).

Why is it that some folks insist that a device has to have broad-scale use to EVERYONE (or as you stated.. for the MAJORITY) before it becomes more than a novelty?

I wonder when, by that logic, cell phones quit being a novelty? I remember when I was the only person I knew who had one (it was called a "car phone" then) and at that time it was a novelty. Then came a time when lots of business types had them and used them for being more productive. Were they still a novelty then? Not everyone had them (not even the majority of people), and almost no one had them for personal use, but there were plenty of business people that used them.. were they still a novelty, or had they become more than a toy and actually transformed into a tool?

By my way of thinking once someone becomes available to the masses, even if the masses don't have it or can't afford it yet (though the iPad isn't exactly price prohibitive to MANY people), and it has good practical uses that increase the productivity of MANY people.. that's when a device becomes a tool. Sure, it may not be a tool for everyone, but it's a tool none the less. And certainly not a novelty or a toy.

The fact that so many people in the workplace are starting to use them for both a simple email/web browser device in place of having to bring out the big guns (laptop) every time (as if that's not enough), and many companies are finding new in innovative ways to use the iPad in their business; THAT, by my definition, makes the iPad a useful tool for many businesses and their employees.

And let's not forget, the iPad is brand new. The next few generations of both the iPad and it's competitors will lead to many, MANY new and innovation uses that haven't even been thought of yet. To me, the new possibilities (not the current limitations) are what make the iPad so innovative and "groundbreaking". Yes, tablets have been around for a while, but the new interface of the iPad has changed the game and will, I believe" have a long-lasting if not permanent effect on how we compute.

As far as all this speculation as to whether or not the iPad has lead to a landmark year in computing, well, only time will determine that one. I for one think that it will go down as an important device, right up there with the mouse (because it will change the way many if not most of us use our computer devices).

But, that's only my opinion, and only time will determine whether or not is becomes fact or not.

The difference b'n the iPad and all of those other items you mentioned is that all of those other items have become a business-critical device due to them being able to solve problems that needed addressing or help businesses run their day-to-day operations more efficiently. The iPad doesn't solve any problems and doesn't make anything more efficient. In fact, it makes many tasks more cumbersome, inefficient and/or frustrating.

That being said, is the iPad a step in the right direction when it comes to forward-thinking computing? I think so, but it still has a long way to go.

Really? It makes nothing more efficient? I love debating with people who make such absolute statements.

I originally bought the iPad for personal use. I looked at what I use a computer for at home and decided that 75% or more would be better served by a more mobile device. For much of what people use a computer for, the laptop or desktop form factor is horribly inefficient.

Once I got an iPad I soon discovered several uses for business and now use it in the office every day. My main uses are note taking in meetings, calendar, contacts, to do list tracking, etc. I find it clunky to take a laptop to meetings. It is ridiculous to take a laptop around the office full time. The iPad is a nice fit between the ultra mobility of a smartphone and the power of a laptop. I NEVER carry a paper notebook around anymore. My last business trip did not include taking a giant folder of printed material. I have moved to a system of using dropbox and can now access any of my documents from nearly anywhere.

What part of the fact that many people/companies are already finding new uses (the key word here being NEW) that are made possible by the iPad (even if it's simply the format and form factor that make it possible) do you not get? Are you saying that a device can't be more than a novelty simply because it doesn't do anything "new", even though it may make it much EASIER to do those non-new things? There are loads of examples where new technologies came in the form of new devices that do old jobs more efficiently (i.e. laptops, and desktops before that, and so on, and so on).

Really, do you not read anything at all except articles that point out the limitations of the iPad? Of course, it's hard to read if one doesn't open one's eyes (I'm just sayin'!),

There are success popping up here and there, and even more R & D going on in many, many companies that see the potential of using the iPad (even in it's current limited v1.0 state). Do a search for iPad and education and boy are you going to be surprised at the number of tests that are going on right now in both grade schools and at the college level. And thats just in education. (No wait, let me guess, someone's gonna come back and say that education isn't business. I'm sure, however, that there are plenty of folks that would disagree.)

OK the Ipad is a great device, but it still has a long ways to go to beat a PC. I still think USB inputs for added memory storage and transfers would be a great idea. I still think Flash would be a great idea. There moving in the right direction, but still got a ways to go. I have sometimes 6 spreadsheets open, 2-3 word docs open at one time while using the internet and typing an email . I may also be listening to music and looking at adobe reports. The Ipad at this point could not keep up with me and my tasks. Also the fact that inserting images is a pain is one thing and you can only transfer files through the net, boo! At this point it could not make me more productive as you claim it could, it would make my life harder for business tasks. When it comes to everyday living and data consumption I could see the Ipad taking over that spot in my life. But I'm still not impressed until it has the ability to do more things, until than my $800 will be better spend on a different device that gives me more bang for my buck.

..why people keep trying to shoehorn the iPad into the computer category.

No, it doesn't sound like the iPad would make you more productive if you tried to replace your computer with it. I don't think it would make many people more productive if they try to replace their computer with an iPad (at least not people who are anywhere close to being a power user, or anything more than a mild user for that matter). BUT, there are lots of people who are finding that incorporating the iPad into PART of their workday is actually working out very well.

One size doesn't fill all, and for many it doesn't come close to fitting. but, for some the iPad fits right into their workflow quite comfortably.

(I'll certainly give you the point on Flash..!! That's my one pet peeve about the iPad [and my droid for that matter])

Like most devices, there are the odd person that can use them, or even find them better than previous solutions. But that number is small. Probably more likely to find that the number of computers running DOS for legacy apps is greater than the number of professionals using the iPad as a better device vs previous solutions.

At my company, there are four people in my immediate vicinity that have them now. Two of those were purchased BY the company. Examples:

Whiteboarding -- There's an app that acts like a whiteboard. You draw with your finger. REALLY easy to show a "visual" person the relationship between products, part of an org chart, etc. Also easy for them to clarify their thoughts on the same. It never runs out of ink, doesn't leave smudges on your clothes, and goes anywhere without having to put holes in the drywall.

Web pages -- "Product X has these features we need." (pulls out iPad and loads a webpage from the bookmarks, hands over the iPad..) "Here's the spec sheet." This happened at a lunch meeting, at the table of a diner.

Video -- We recently had an all-hands meeting where we had to show a clip of video relating to the subject matter. The first laptop didn't recognize the VGA out (video driver was hosed). The second laptop took 5 minutes to start up because the person let their kid use it at home, so we gave up. I had a WDTV at my desk, so we copied the clip to a thumb drive and tried to play it from there, but it wasn't a supported codec. Third laptop worked. 20 minutes lost. An iPad with a VGA out would have been a KNOWN-GOOD platform, EASY to test in advance, instant-on, working without trouble. Yes, the video would have had to be compatible with the "limited" codecs supported, but that's easy to proof in advance.

There are three examples. I can come up with plenty more. All of this is possible on a laptop. All of this is easier or less error-prone on the iPad.

Its mostly cheap Ukrainians around here. Me included.

Twelve years ago I was doing some testing in a big flow lab and our test and monitoring software, running on a laptop hardwired into the test setup, was sitting high up on a scaffold. When we needed to make adjustments to the flow rate, we had to climb down the scaffold, adjust the angle of the flume through an electrical control box, then climb back up to monitor the progress. This was never a one time event and often took 4 or 5 times to dial in the proper setting.

I envisioned using a wireless link to a LCD screen that one could carry down to the adjustment control that did nothing more than offer a duplicate presentation of what was on the laptop screen. This would have given us the ability to make an adjustment and watch the progress in real time thus relieving us of the constant climbing. I suppose this was a glimpse into the future, and a very early conceptual vision of an iPad like device. This is the sort of application that makes the iPad shine - lightweight, portable, and quality graphics.

Geeze Steve, thanks for copping my idea - enjoy your billions! Ha!

I am afraid you may be missing a wide range of uses...

I have used the Apple Handheld Touch products ever since they came out as mobile input tools for employees for various business processes, such as....

Sales people for customer order placement
Sales people for field training
Warehouse workers for Physical Inventory
Warehouse workers for Order Picking
Dispatch for Assigning and Reassigning Driver Routes

Each of these solutions costing a fraction of the current alternative, and allowing the customer a handheld tool that allowed them to complete tasks more efficiently.

(As a side note, each of these solutions were programmed as web apps, so no specialized programming skills needed. Very fast development, very useful devices.)

iPad is too big to carry around a lot, and heavy. Should be more portable and lighter.

People in warehouses, outdoors need a more portable device. Actually they've been using more portable and less fragile touchscreen devices for years; those are slightly larger than the Touch.

Maybe the ability to use Facebook and watch videos at work isn't such a good idea after all.

I'll wait for 3.0.

You can restrict network access to the intranet application, eliminating the risk of standard internet use...

I can understand that the iPad isn't useful to everyone, but anyone that claims it's "just an expensive toy" or novelty really hasn't tried it.

My iPad is used throughout the business day for all manner of communications (e-mail, Skype, blogging, twitter) online meetings (WebEx, GoToMeeting) server management (SSH, LogMeIn) presentations (Keynote) reviewing and editing documents (Google Docs) and hours of reading for work and pleasure.

I never expected the iPad to replace a notebook for serious computing (I don't expect to use my motorcycle to haul firewood either), but guess what? The iPad is the thing I'm reaching for more and more often. I can't even imagine schlepping a clamshell computer to a meeting anymore - haven't done that in months.

I totally agree with you on that. Its just a luxury item at the end of the day!

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Never blames his tools. One app I never see listed in favorite apps is the Citrix receiver it allows you to connect to a Citrix profile if your company provides one. With this profile you can access many applications including Microsoft Internet Explorer. The built in VPN on the iPad allows you to connect to your work network. If you can't get the iPad to do what you want it probably means you just haven't found the right app. The only downfall is that it won't play Flash.

I resisted the temptation for a long time but then succumbed because I'm a techie at heart, but I found this:

It sucks for most content creation and could never replace my laptop because I need virtual machines.

However, not everything I do at all times is content creation or development/testing so i found it an ideal complement to my laptop.

Rather than always have to get my laptop out at home or at customer sites I've fouind that much of my communication and even checking of resources can be handled on the iPad.

As I also support internationally, having remote access to my laptop via remote wake-up using Verismic power manager I can also get to my system when Ive left it in the office.

Don't get me wrong, it is not a laptop replacement, but it's so much better than just having the laptop itself.

A lot of photography blogs are praising it as a new wonder field tool. All their requirements are summed up by the 'reader' strengths mentioned - reading manuals, books, blogs etc and reviewing photos in the field at a good size and resolution for showing to other people.

That is a bit of a niche market, and not IT related in any way though.

...without using a notebook computer, that is.

To a degree you are right (kind of). Speaking as a photographer, odds are there is a computer in the work flow if you are showing photos to a client "in the field". The point is that the iPad is GREAT for showing photos to clients WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A LAPTOP into the field. There is nothing wrong per se with using a laptop to show photos to clients. In fact, most laptop screens are larger than the iPad's, however, the form factor of the iPad is so convenient that it makes a wonderful proof previewer in the field without all the cumbersome bulkiness of a laptop. Heck, there are even some high end (very high end) wedding photographers that provide an iPad (in a nice display box) loaded with the wedding photos as part of the package. Even for the rest of us "normal" photographers it's just a great simple viewer with a fantastic display.

I said you were "kind of" right about the laptop being in the workflow. There is a SD card reader adapter and a USB adapter for connecting your camera up to the iPad directly and loading your images straight to the iPad. This doesn't require a computer at all, and it works really well. The only draw back (kind of) is that the photos are un-edited and un-processed, but that can be corrected by using one of several iPad apps to do the editing. It's not as elegant as using a full blown laptop and PhotoShop, but it does a really nice job if you do not want to lug around a ton of equipment (and trust me, in the field when it's you carrying all your gear, the difference between a laptop and the iPad feels like a ton).

When I used to go to the field to shoot for a weekend, I would take along my laptop to view the images and do a little post-processing work in the field, just to get a sampling of what I was getting from my efforts. Now, I just take the iPad and I still get the same information and feedback, without the inconvenience of taking along the laptop. Besides, if I have someone break into my vehicle and steal some of my gear, I would much rather loose a $600 iPad than a $1500 MacBook. Not to mention all the other photos and software on the laptop, and all the time it would take to rebuild the laptop. Even though it wouldn't be that difficult using TimeMachine, it would still be a bigger pain than loosing just the iPad. Besides, if they steal my car with my iPad in the trunk, I can use the "find my iPad" feature with my MobileMe account to locate my cars, but let's hope it never comes to that.

You mention the things that are missing from the iPad. I need a USB port. I need an SD card slot. Bluetooth is too slow to transfer large files. Both Bluetooth and WiFi are not secure enough for sensitive data.

I'd consider it if it had slots. It makes no sense to sacrifice function for beauty. Yes you can add slots through the dock connector, but only one at a time, or you have to drag around a bag full of peripherals.

With a small notebook--not a cheap netbook--or a smaller UMPC, you have those features plus the glass is protected. A large expanse of unprotected glass in a portable tablet is either asking for trouble, or an opportunity to get you to spend even more on the missing parts and covers.

I'll wait for 3.0, or something not designed so cynically as the iPad, considering its missing parts.

It has a USB port, just plug it in, same as other types of ports. Apple is trying to keep the number of ports down to keep the unit dry. Remember is a portable unit and needs to be protected by limiting access points for water.

So, your answer is: The port at the bottom of the iPad is used for many different adapters, including a USB port

When I first read your post, I thought "Absolutely - what a great idea", then I thought, "how the heck do you get the photographs on there with no USB to connect to the camera?"

Oh well, back to the laptop...

It consists of one device that provides a USB port and another that provides an SD card slot. Either can be used to transfer photos. There is even a knockoff version that contains both in one device.

You are right, there are not USB ports ON the iPad, but for @ $25 you can get a "Camera Adapter Kit" which includes an SD reader attachment and a USB attachment that plugs right into the iPad and allows you to connect your camera. Super easy and it works really well, even if you shoot in RAW (if you don't know what RAW is don't worry about it, just understand that it has nothing to do with nakedness).

Please, please don't come back with the 'WHAT, you want me to spend and EXTRA $25 for an adapter.." argument. Most people spend more than that in soft drinks and coffee in less than a week.

Why should I need to buy an extra adapter so that I can have basic functionality that is "Built-In" to every other computing device on the market(exception for phones before someone brings them up). I'm not even suggesting an every-card reader, but SD cards and USB sticks have become so prevalent as to be practically standard.

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What a bad idea: design the iPad with an interface for which users can buy an add-on converter to convert it to a standard inverface. USB is so nearly universal that the initial concept of the iPad design should have included it.

Plug in what you need. Including a usb port. Apple is keeping the number of ports down, in this way it keeps the water out. Read up before you post next time.

In the "good ideas" department, it certainly seemed like a really good idea to have one common port that you can connect a whole range of devices to (USB).

Really, it is a pity that Apple didn't consider that (for photographers) you might want to download photos from a card/camera and print those photos later - especially on a device that they are touting as being "great for media". Didn't they learn anything from Sony? (re the proprietary cards that nothing other than a Sony product could connect to).

I also do not like the arrogance of Apple in forcing me to purchase another product of theirs to be able to connect the majority of my devices to the iPad. For the AUD $800-ish, you would think they could have put a USB port in.

Oh - and to MacNewton, I wasn't planning on using an iPad in the rain - dirty watermarks on the screen

You forgot the it has wifi and bluetooth! With wireless transfers you really don't need to use a hardwired connection. Back to keeping it watertight. This also covers Coffee or beer. As for a proprietary port, not so, Apple has used this port for a number of years on almost all iPod Touch, iPhone, iPods and now iPads. You also may have trouble with the new MacBook air, it has only one usb port.

Not much use having wifi & bluetooth, if the camera doesn't.

I know I'm late to the discussion and probably no one will read this, but... it's lame to say ports=water exposure. Just use a rubber connector like cell phones do to plug the port when not in use. Problem solved.

I like the idea of the iPad, but honestly a USB port is a glaring omission. Flash I kinda understand, Adobe is terrible at bringing versions to market. There still isn't a Flash plugin in for 64-bit Windows. If the iPad were half the price I'd consider it, but at its price point I'll stick with my netbook which is faster, has 3 USB ports, Flash, card readers, VGA out, ethernet, and runs MS Office (or OpenOffice). For $250 US.

I have an Ipad and a Dx. I read using the Dx because the Ipad is useless in bright light.

I also have a thinkpad with multitouch screen. Any kind of detail creation, I use that because the Ipad's touch screen stinks for fine control.

Having said that, it is great for going through the morning email pouch. It is great at browsing when you just want to look at web links from email.

It is really good at the music stuff. I've got several musicians in the immediate family and they can play with it for hours at a time. And actually sound pretty good doing it.

But any kind of paint or drawing program is useless on it. No fine control.

Any kind of serious writing is out. No fine control, and although I've been typing for decades, I'm not very good with the virtual keyboard yet.

Bible is good on it. Must faster than the Dx version for skipping around and finding verses.

Finding names and addresses are good. And fine graduations on like things seems to be pretty good. I purchased a coin app that seems to work pretty good. Small database of precise images, yeah it works ok.

And the games are nice to placate the kids when traveling. Also, it just works better at finding stuff than even a GPS.

We took a trip of 2400 miles (Orlando and back) and frequently needed to find the closest McD's, or the nearest gas station, Walmart, etc... The Ipad has no peer at that. The instant on, GPS, located sim, etc inables it to figure out where you are precisely enough to route you right to your goal.

It also works fine as an RDP controller. I've used it to control PC's running fat to thin clients and they all work. The lack of Fkeys are a drawback. But Apple never met one it liked so they don't do them. Maybe soon I'll pop for Logmein or one of the others. I hear they do support those keyboards.

So, for now, I withhold judgement, and hope someone, somewhere, somewhen will come up with a pen that will work with the screen and give us pixels we can manipulate.

Many of them, and more showing up all the time it seems. They have been around for some time (years, perhaps, not sure when they were released originally for the iPhone/iTouch.)

Just do a Google search "iphone stylus" or "iphone pen" or use ipad in place of iphone, and you'll find them.

I think I have also seen a note taking app that tries to be smart about multiple touches on the screen when writing. Think about it; when writing on paper your hand or multiple fingers usually rests on the paper.

Search for "write" on the app store and I think you'll find it.

The styli for the iPad that I have seen are too fat. It looks like you are writing with the eraser end of a pencil. It's not fine enough.
You can avoid stray marks when note taking if you wear fingerless gloves but then you run the risk of looking like a super dork.

Not sure what you would be trying to accomplish but I've seen some unbelievable art work done on the iPad. I think you are missing the fact that you can zoom in while editing to obtain the finer editing. As far as note taking, I use an app called Note taker HD that solves the problem beautifully.

I have tried taking notes on an iPad with my finger and a stylus. I have also seen a lot of "writing solutions" on video and they do not convince me.
I know you can make a fine line but the stylus is too fat to see what you are writing and you can't rest your hand on the screen when you are writing.
Zooming in would be fine for drawing but I just want something I can write with that doesn't feel like a pre-school crayon.

.... for different folks. I have no problem writing with a stylus. I use a note taking app at every meeting. It has a editing mode for fine editing of text as well as a full screen editing mode that incorporates a wrist guard feature that lets you rest your hand on the screen while editing. I also have a stylus with a clear tip that allows you to see what you are writing.

I shouldn't have made the assumption that you haven't used an iPad but I can't stand it when people say things cannot be done simply because they can't or don't know how to do them.

I'm not saying the iPad is for you, but your assumptions about what is possible are incorrect.

"We took a trip of 2400 miles (Orlando and back) and frequently needed to find the closest McD's, or the nearest gas station, Walmart, etc... The Ipad has no peer at that. The instant on, GPS, located sim, etc inables it to figure out where you are precisely enough to route you right to your goal. "

Any Garmin or Tom Tom GPS device can effortlessly pinpoint you to the nearest McD's, Gas Station, or a variety of other points of interest based on your present GPS coordinates. You probably already know this, so I am not sure why you state that the iPad has no peer at that. In a traveling vehicle, an iPad won't be of much use to the driver unless it is mounted to the windshield, or you are parked.

- and the iPad has to have 3G if you want to use it as a GPS.
A real GPS does a much better job.

Dropped my TomTom since I didn't want to pay a subscription for map updates which aren't necessary on my Android and my Android does not have to be hooked up to my PC on a weekly basis to get updated GPS satellite info. Still have the TomTom in case I ever need it somewhere I can't get any cell service though.

My trusty sidekick KnowsLittleTech rides shotgun and with frequent barbs from me, manages to find McD's all by her lonesome.

Really, Yellowpages, Fastfood, touch McD's, three seconds if that, then it shows the route.

Nuvi by the way. And yes, we make sure it is up to date, etc...

The navigation is ok, the favorites are ok, but the UI is just not as good as the IPad. It takes longer and it doesn't work as well.

On the other hand, I don't try and do turn by turn with the IPad, even though I have several GPS apps on it.

I wouldn't want to try to read a book on the iPad in direct sunlight. The Kindle performs that task admirably though and is quite a bit cheaper.

Position yourself to not get sun glare on the screen and you can read the iPad just fine in the sunlight. The notion that you "can't read it" in the sunlight is false. That was one of the first things I tried after I bought an iPad.

How many times have I actually needed to read it in the sun? Perhaps once.

Al lot of people forget that this is a "Mac" device not a PC product. All the interconnected part work together with your Mac. The sync function, MobleMe, iPhoto, Mail, Address book, pages & Numbers. Dot work, iDisk and on & on. Sure some PC users will do some of it, but not as good as a Mac & a iPad. Most PC users using palm will understand what I'm talking about and understand the concept. And thats my 2 cents