The new model created by Apple is called the iPad, and promises to revolutionize the way we navigate, but not all. Presented in San Francisco on January 27, from Steve Jobs himself, the futuristic tablet is already causing quite a stir. Quoting the Wall Street Journal, "the last time there was so much excitement about a bar, had some command over written."

"We all know and use the notebook and smartphone - Jobs said during the presentation -" but there is a third category of devices that can be inserted between the two? And that is better than both in some important functions? Browsing the web, write email, share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games and read e-books? Some say that these are netbooks, the problem is that netbooks are not best in anything. "

The iPad is a multimedia device then, nothing to do with computers we are used to. We could launch a new slogan: iPad iMac is not! Bearing in mind this particular, we seek to investigate the characteristics of the new device, thinking together about what are its specific potential, its strengths and weaknesses.

Specifications

We begin by reviewing the main technical features dell'iPad: the screen, which occupies almost the entire surface of the device, a 9.7-inch multitouch screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and uses IPS LCD technology with LED backlight, which should provide more brightness, lower consumption and a viewing angle close to 180 degrees.

The memory available to users, type of flash, depending on the model chosen will be 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB. The processor, designed to measure, is Apple's new A4 1 GHz. According to the lucky ones that have already been tested, the processor dell'iPad is really performing. But still no details on the amount of RAM.

All models include Wi-Fi 802.11 a / ​​b / g / n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, while among the options we have the 3G (UMTS and HSDPA) and assisted GPS.

The sensors are mounted on the device 's accelerometer, ambient light sensor and digital compass. The lithium battery (Integrated) provides 10 hours of uninterrupted use, such as viewing video or 140 hours of music playback or a month of standby time.

The operating system is already familiar to owners of iPod Touch and iPhone: sull'iPad it runs iPhone OS 3.2. The total weight of the tablet is of 680 grams. On the lateral surface there is a dock connector, Connector for 3.5 mm stereo headphone, microphone, integrated speakers, keyboard home, sleep, mute and volume.

You should now be clear to everyone, but for completeness it is better to point out the obvious: the iPad does not include a physical keyboard, but rather a virtual keyboard on the screen multitouch.

The European price dell'iPad

The launch price in the U.S. (scheduled for March 3 April) has pleasantly surprised everyone, only $ 499. Given that the euro price of the Apple iPad has not yet been decided, we can only make assumptions. Some predict an exact match in dollars with the European one, but not quite in line with the aggressive launch price practiced in the U.S.. Do not forget that the iPad is in direct competition with netbook and readers of e-books, which cost on average ranging from 300 € to 500 €

The matrix below European prices is the result of my reasoning that takes into account the dollar price, exchange rate EUR / USD assumed for the launch of our country, and VAT. Given the great variability of the exchange in recent days, he sees a continued strengthening of the dollar on the European single currency, the forecast might be wrong. Then take it for what it is: just a hypothesis. (Update: the forecast was perhaps too optimistic, but still close to reality: the real price is 40 € more for the version of Wi-Fi, and 20 € more for the 3G version).

The potential market dell'iPad Apple, according to the Sun 24 hours , is estimated from 3 million units in the most cautious, to 9 million units in the best. It seems that the device will steal the market for netbooks.

It seems certain that even in Europe, the iPad will come together in ad-hoc internet rate made ​​available by mobile operators. It is still not known what will be the operators or the applicable charges.

The criticism, from multitasking to the name

Was natural to expect, given the climate of great expectations of the days and even months before the official presentation, only Apple knows how to generate, the iPad has attracted very mixed reactions from the public. Among the detractors, critics have focused primarily on the lack of multitasking, a feature of modern computers that allows you to run multiple applications simultaneously.

Others have felt the lack of a better webcam for video calls, video output and inputs for USB flash drives and memory cards.

If we pause a second on the characteristics dell'iPad, however, we find that the failures cited may have good reason, or even can be solved easily. First of all the multitasking, if we think what we said earlier, that the iPad is a multimedia device and not a notebook, multitasking becomes clear that the preferable although is not an essential characteristic. Indeed, if the absence was due to hardware, its introduction would probably have the effect of increasing the final price, because the more computing power required would result in higher hardware requirements. The results, then we can see them looking at the netbook. It 'worth repeating: the' iPad is not a computer. If you really can not do without sull'iPad multitasking, however, someone has already thought of a solution: install sull'iPad virtualize Windows 7 ! (Update: multitasking with IOS 4.2, the iPad has arrived!)

As far as the input for USB drives and memory cards, it is too obvious a choice that would be illogical from the commercial point of view: first of all flash memory dell'iPad is already like a big USB stick. And if the device is not entitled to recognition as an external hard drive, we know that there are specific programs, such as empowering the ' iPhone as an external disk . E 'therefore understandable that Apple prefers to sell the "deeper cuts" of your device, 32 and 64 GB, rather than provide users with a way to "circumvent" its trade policy by installing memory upgrades after market. This may not like our pockets, but the quality you pay Apple is well known. But not all: Apple already has a solution for connecting digital cameras, that is, two memory cards and USB adapters for the iPad .

The absence of the webcam could be discussed: the utility is not in doubt if we use the iPad for video calls over the Internet, such as Skype. But in the absence of a fixed support and positioned like a notebook, would lose much of the utility. The movement of the device held in his hands and make the experience any vibrations least turbulent in the absence of a stand.

Finally, a brief mention of the name, so mistreated : iPad. To detractors would be a bad choice. Yet it is short, easily recognizable because it calls iPod, and makes the idea very well (pad means plank). There are several other technology products with similar names (think of the Lenovo ThinkPad laptop). Maybe because I am Italian, I like the name iPad.

The most intelligent criticism, to a device that makes web browsing on its strengths, it would detect the absence of the Flash plugin, which is a de facto standard for Web animation, on the understanding that there is an application installed to view videos youtube. Were it not that the iPhone OS is not new last minute, and also that there are already solutions to this problem, as the script that lets you view Flash content on iPhone and iPod Touch.

Strengths: Mobility rhymes with ease

"The future is in mobile devices" - you bet Steve Jobs. And the market is giving no reason. It will be a case that the vast majority of Apple's sales now relate to mobile devices? Also, and Jobs has realized first of all, the future is in its simplicity. Again: it will be a chance that the iPhone, the revolutionary phone and easy to use thanks to multitouch, with the iPod, Apple has made the world's leading producer of mobile devices to sales?

As a first step, then, if I were to list the strengths dell'iPad, in the first place there would be mobility and simplicity. Try, if you can, to imagine during a long train ride. You have just finished reviewing the latest Disney Pixar animated movie, and decide to continue reading your favorite novel. But first, take a quick look at the headlines of the day and answer some e-mails work. Meanwhile, a friend sitting in the place before asking you to see photos of your last vacation where you have talked so much, so you naturally go to your device.

At this point, replace the word "device", you have three alternatives.

1. In the first you've brought with them everyday and novel, because you do not like reading on a screen, in addition to the netbook to connect and respond to email, and a media player on the netbook because your HD video to be jerky. In taking the netbook with the photos to your friend, accidentally press the Delete key on the keyboard, eliminating many of the photos are going to recover in the Recycle Bin.

2. In the second alternative, you have a notebook of about 3 kg of weight on his knees, with 3G expansion card to connect to the Internet, and navigate using the touchpad of the laptop uncomfortable. We steamed to read the novel after 20 minutes for the unnatural position, and decline to see the photos to your friend because, let's face it, handed a notebook from 3 pounds is not the easiest thing in the world.

3. In the third alternative, you have an iPad ;-)

Do not get me wrong, the perfect device does not exist, or may be tantomento the iPad. But they could not see the potential it contains, underestimate, would be a shame. What you can do with a hand in iPad is limited only by the imagination of developers, not to mention all the applications available already inherited from your iPod Touch and iPhone in this regard, I recommend reading a good article: The iPad is revolutionary ? It depends on us .

A final remark about the ease of use: hold a iPad by 9.7 "and use it to navigate, have all Internet literally in his hands and fingertips, surely will be a unique experience. Anyone who has tried the multi-touch and iPod, know what I'm talking about. Want to put the immediacy of clicking on a link with the fingers on a screen big enough to see the entire page, compared to moving a cursor with the mouse or the touchpad on laptop? Incredible to think of it.

Roundup: iPad against all

If it is true that the iPad inaugurates a new kind of device, it is also true that the only way to fully appreciate the strengths and weaknesses is to compare it with something we know well. It is for this that many have fallen into the trap of comparing intellectual categories which is not part of the iPad , noting the only thing possible to reason in these terms: that the iPad is not part of those categories. That is, as we have said from the beginning that the iPad is not a computer. Neither wants to be. So now that we are freed from deceptive concepts , instead of trying to understand what it really is.

iPad vs iPod Touch What's the first thing that came to mind when you saw for the first time the iPad? I'm sure it was: "It looks like an overgrown iPod Touch." And perhaps, instinctively, you made ​​the comparison more accurate, right where many experts have missed the shot: in fact, the iPad is like the elder brother of the Touch, a media device voted to do the same things and more, but simply : better. The screen added and the dedicated processor are the main improvements. Also, here's the MP3 player functionality is not the main one.

iPad vs Console After seeing, the submission of Jobs, what video game developers are able to do with the iPad even before its launch, it is impossible not to harbor expectations. Certainly can not supplant the portable console, but the combination of multitouch and accelerometer on a screen of nearly 10 "makes its beautiful shape. Well, that sounds like fun!

iPad vs Notebook Hard to compare devices that have different targets. The iPad is lighter and more manageable than a laptop, has a multitouch screen and an unbeatable quality. Has the battery for 10 hours. Has the new version of iWork. And, apparently, as we said above, you can also mount Windows 7. The notebook, however, is obviously unbeatable productivity and work applications. The iPad will not totally replace your notebook and, in fact, this is not his goal.

iPad vs Netbook To paraphrase Steve Jobs, netbooks are better at anything! Seriously, if you need a mobile device for surfing, writing emails, watching videos, listening to music, reading, then you have just chosen the iPad. The netbooks have a function, it tells you the name: surf the Internet. If portability is their strong point, iPad does best. If surfing the Internet is their strong point, iPad does best. The only criterion is the keyboard: if you write a lot, it helps the netbook with a physical keyboard. Until we have tried the virtual dell'iPad, the question remains open.

iPad vs eBook Reader Here the issue becomes more thorny because the iPad is inserted by force in a market where so far, eBook readers have been undisputed leaders, reading e-books, and this new competition obviously raises some concerns for those who had bet (so even pioneering) on ​​the future of E-ink technology. After seeing live screens of E-ink eBook Reader, and the screen iPad only in video, can I be sure of one thing only: how mature technology, the E-ink seems to come directly from 1400, a time of Gutenberg, dell'iPad while the screen I would see it well in a Star Trek movie.

These statements, intentionally exaggerated, some lines require more explanation. Reader eBooks are designed for you to do one thing and one only: read (well) e-books. The technology they use, other than any LCD, no backlight, gives you a feeling similar to that of printed paper. Provided that, in your area, please print the paper sheets of gray! Yes, because the contrast does not seem to be much the strength of these players, at least the ones I have seen live: Read Characters dark gray on light gray background, is not exactly my idea of comfortable reading.

E-ink screens allow you to read no glare even under the sun, but this is no longer true for some of the newer models with the touchscreen, such as the Sony Reader. In addition, the functionality of a touch ebook reader, if you're used to the iPod, will seem very slim.

What is then the best screen for reading ebooks? The LCD screen will cause more fatigue IPS dell'iPad an E-ink, as claimed by someone? Read on the computer hurt your eyes? According to experts , nothing to do with both the technology used to screen, as our reading habits, and it is true that LCDs are bad for the eyes. If we never pause, or read in poor lighting conditions, including any printed book or an E-ink can cause fatigue. In fact, all of us are already widely used to read for hours on the computer screen. Our eyes are more tired after a while 'browsing Facebook or Republic, than reading a book or a daily paper? In my case, the answer is definitely no.

While the battery dell'iPad (10 hours) pales in comparison to that of the Reader (a week or more), it is also true that the Reader pale in comparison to what you can do an iPad. Are not interactive, the screen is not color, can not show video, require external light source: no reading in the dark or with light too dim.

I've always been convinced of the potential of e-ink, but since it was revealed the iPad, there is always the feeling that the train has passed and this technology has remained on foot. We will see further development. If I had to choose now between the two contenders, the choice would fall without a doubt on the iPad. The built-in features in the iBooks seem to make perfectly the feeling of "browse" a book of paper and have full control, with which e-readers, and with their refresh too slow, does not happen. In addition, the format also supports both Epub iPad (with the possibility to change the font size on the fly) is the PDF.

Accessories for the iPad

Among the accessories available now for the iPad, the two most appealing are the folding cover and dock with the physical keyboard. If you think keep in hand the iPad would be inconvenient, in fact, Apple already has the solution to your problem.

iPad Keyboard Dock is a full-size physical keyboard with a dock on which to base our iPad. The reverse has a connector for the USB cable used to connect it to power or sync with your computer, and a stereo audio output jack. For those who are not convinced of the convenience of multi-touch keyboard on the screen, this accessory is a great idea.

Case iPad is a cover that protects our device, but not all. In fact, Case argued the iPad when placed on a table or other surface, and can be used in different positions, so as to always find the best location for writing or watching movies. This accessory is definitely a must. Also interesting is the fact that, if desired, transforming the iPad in a digital frame that can be used to display photos and slideshows.

Because the iPad will be successful?

After reading the article, you will now have an idea about the potential of the device and why it can succeed. To this I add only one final consideration: the iPad will be successful because it's Apple. Reasoning may seem obvious, but put together high technology, quality and stylish design, and you hand in a product that will gorge to many people. I have already mentioned the price, exactly half of what the rumors said? And the ease of use, which makes the competitors look like devices of the last century?!

Do not forget an important detail: If the electronic publishing market is growing, and even points to supplant the paper, the iPad seems the ideal ally for magazines and newspapers. It can offer a tried and tested distribution channel, a format and a total multimedia. Other than science fiction: the time to read magazines such as Focus on our iPad, enjoying full color pages, movies, games and interactive links ... does not seem so far away! ;-)

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Article published on 16-02-2010 at 15:20