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The Apple iPad.

What it is:
Like many others, we were initially disappointed with the iPad. However, even though it doesn't suit our needs as a tablet PC, we do still believe that in time this will be a very important product for Apple. On the surface it's just an oversized iPod touch, nobody can argue that. But with the extra screen size, the iPad will become the 2nd computer for the family. The one they leave on the coffee table or in the kitchen. It will be popular amongst adults who aren't computer savvy and just want to check their email, view photos and surf the web from the comfort of their couch. This product will eventually be recognized for it's importance by how it transforms people's computer use habits. Computers will start to be known as work machines again, as casual computer use will start to drift towards the iPad.

What it isn't:
The iPad will not be the bridge the gap between the iPhone and laptop and won't be a netbook replacement, as Apple is hoping for. It is far too limited in functionality for most to consider giving up their netbook for. We believe the iPad will be more widely accepted as a home computer than as a travel computer. Most people are still going to need to carry their laptops for doing work, and their iPods and iPhones for media and casual browsing, and won't want to carry a 3rd device. As an ebook reader, we are also highly skeptical that this will catch on in the way Apple hopes. We believe that Apple is incorrect in a lot of the ways they are targeting this product, but that overall it will have a much more important role than what they intended it for.

What it needs:
Because we feel the iPad will emerge as a 2nd home computer for the family, it is important that they have support for multiple accounts. Unlike the iPod and iPhone, which are personal devices, the iPad will most likely be shared among the entire family. Each user is going to want to have their own settings, apps, email accounts, bookmarks, ect. Apple will really be doing a disservice to their most important market if they don't add accounts.

The next glaring omission for the iPad is a web camera. Apple has always had the ability to take technology that has been around for years, and re-introduce it in a simple and dumbed down way, and make it look like they invented it. They are missing a golden opportunity to do this for video conferencing! Even though video conferencing is as easy as launching skype, iChat, or any other chat program, I still know very few people who actually use it. The iPad could be the device that finally brings video conferencing to the masses. I can imagine people's parent's talking to their friends and families using video conferencing right from the comfort of their couch.

The last missing element is multitasking. If this is to be a device that people are to use for longer periods of time to surf the web, write documents, ect. they are going to want to be able to have multiple apps running. Why should I have to quit my web browser or an iWork app when I get an instant message, instead of allowing it to pop up in the app I'm in. Why should I have to keep quitting the app I'm in to go to the mail app and see if I have a new message.

A new device:
In addition to the iPad, we believe that Apple should introduce an additional product that will really bridge the gap between the laptop and iPhone, a MacPad! This would essentially be a touchscreen MacBook with a form factor similar to the MacAir and a screen that could rotate and flip over to become a tablet, just like tablet PCs do. It would run the full OS X, and also be able to run iPhone and iPad apps. It would have an accelerometer, compass, GPS, and optional 3G card. It would have an onscreen keyboard when it was in tablet mode, but also have the mechanical keyboard/trackpad when in laptop mode. This would be the device that would truly bridge the gap between the iPhone and laptop. This would not be targeted at the same market at the iPad and would be more of a premium product that could be sold in the $1500-$2000+ range. I'd buy one.

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