JulianSchrader.de

iPad — The Executive Summary

January again had something new for us Apple addicted fanboys. There was a “Stevenote” in which Apple revealed the iPad—a touchscreen tablet device running iPhone OS.

Some call it a big brother to iPod touch and iPhone—the smartphone we ♥ so much. Taptivate, an iPhone development house, feels the need to re-define Rev⋅o⋅lu⋅tion (noun), but didn’t justify their claim yet.

Many techies knowing my deep appreciation for anything Apple approached me with laughter about that tablet PC—HP already sold similar PCs no-one wanted seven years ago. Yes, there’s nothing magical about the hardware, folks.

The iPad will sell like there’s no tomorrow. Not especially to the groups called innovators or early adopters though. The iPad will sell to people who don’t want to know about hard- and software and the inner workings of a computer, as long as it leaves them alone.

Your mom will get an iPad.

This is a bold move, I know. But iPad’s possibilities were already known to her shortly after the Apple guys stood on stage. Tired of having to fight spyware, Windows security warnings and updating anti-virus software, she’ll love to shell out 500 bucks to get this device which just lets her do what she needs to do: Internet, email, calendar, reading ebooks and consuming electronic media. And thanks to iPhones and iPod touches she’s already familiar with how to use the iPad.

But it’s not only the techies. The industry’s reaction to the iPad is nothing less than future shock—as coined by Fraser Speirs. This is the beginning of a new era of personal computing.

And to all the disappointed geeks whining about the hardware and Apple’s closed software environment:

It is focused, elegant, and simple. It’s philosophy is centered around humans, not technology. It challenges us to rethink our assumptions of what it means to use a computer and what it takes to be productive with them. → Is the iPad for Dumb People?

Seriously, think about it. I love my Macs because I don’t need to care about them and can just be productive.

Will I try the iPad? You Betcha.