Whats the iPoint?

cfikes — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:49:02 +0000

When I heard that Apple was finally releasing their table unto the world I got excited. Multitouch interface on a Macintosh platform, how cool would Photoshop be. I could just see a wild new interface, much like the Microsoft Courier, with gesture support, voice integration and video input from a camera. Well, Apple has released their tablet, and no it is none of the above.

What is the Apple iPad?

In short, its a BIG iPod Touch. Nothing more, nothing less. It has a custom system on chip designed by Apple and their newly purchased PA Semiconductor. Runs at 1GHZ and has great power management. Runs the iPhone OS 3.2 with some new features like iBooks (Sad they recycled a name) and iWork.

What Apple Says the iPad is.

The best way to expirence the web, email, photos, and email. Hands down.

Technicial Specs:

1Ghz Apple A4 Processor
9.7 inch LED backlit LCD Display (1024×768)
WiFi (A/B/G/N)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Optional 3G HSDPA Modem (miniSIM)
16/32/64GB Flash Storage
Accelerometers
Assisted GPS

Whats Wrong With That?

The first thing I see wrong is also the first thing the music/movie/publishing industry will see right. DRM. This is the perfect device for further developing and extending DRM. Apple already has the closed architecture of the iPhone OS and App Store for locking down what you can do with the device. Ok, I know that’s harsh, but I like to do with as I wish with MY hardware.

The next thing is just something they had to have missed in development, the screen. Its 4×3, 1024×768. All new video content is 16×9. There is no way this will be in the second revision. While on video, the iPad will hock up to your television, but its through the dock connector and an adapter. Once you purchase the adapter you will still be restricted to 576p and 480p outputs. Hardly close to the 1080p resolution your big screen is pushing. That will lead to pixelicious video. Just give us Display port or HDMI.

Next is audio formats. In Apple tradition it supports AAC, AAC-DRM, MP3, Audible, and WAV. Not a lot of options. Moving along.

On to inputs. We have the dock connector, and … nothing. I could have forgiven this had there been at least a built in a camera. Thats right, no camera, and no SDHC for expansion. This device needed to include 2 cameras, one on the back, and one in front for video conferencing. Maybe in Revision 2.

This one goes in bold, NO MULTITASKING!!!!! With a device of this power and size, this is inexcusable. PERIOD.

Concluding

I could go on about what should have been done, but there isn’t a point. Maybe when I get to hold one and play with it I’ll change my mind. As of now, I just see a big iPod Touch that has filled a gap in a market that no one knew existed. Nice try Apple, better luck next time. WOW what a bad name.