The Apple iPad: It's just ahead of its time

CNET ^ | January 28, 2010 | Molly Rants

[myknowledge]

It's hard to argue the fact that this week's Apple iPad launch disappointed the tech crowd, and not just because of that inexplicable name. Despite its lovely design, beefier core apps, and new e-book features and store, the iPad is hampered by a well-documented string of missing features: a camera, 16:9 support, Flash support (seriously?), multitasking, SD card slot, HDMI or high-res video output support, USB ports, GPS, and so on. Plus, it's exclusive to the AT&T network (again: seriously?) in this iteration, the pricing scheme is overly complex, and while I'm not sure it's genuinely overpriced, it's nevertheless expensive, and you can't imagine the price going much lower without crashing into the 64GB iPod Touch and making the iPad look a lot like a sucker's buy.

[myknowledge]

Apple iPad - The portable PC plate.

I bet Micro$oft is making their own version of the iPad.

[Recon Dad]

Not getting very positive reviews anywhere.

[Force of Truth]

AT&T network (again: seriously?)

Exactly. Also, you can't multitask on it.

[Palter]

Sorry.

[Red Badger]

I bet Micro$oft is making their own version of the iPad.

Yeah, it's called the iBrick................

[TChris]

Someone needs to inform the graphic artist responsible for this that the word Terabyte has only ONE “r”.

[Force of Truth]

The i-tampon.

[aft_lizard]

How can something be ahead of it's time if it's entire functionality is barely in excess of a three year old phone? Either way yes MS has a planned tablet(something it has been planning for years and was leaked in September of last year) called the Courier.
http://gizmodo.com/5365299/courier-first-details-of-microsofts-secret-tablet

[dangerdoc]

Not to be confused with the Tampod.

[aft_lizard]

BTW why are you showing a fan concept of the iPad with the stylus? The iPad can not use a stylus, another one of its failings.

[newheart]

It has issues, but...
Compare the original iPod Classic to today’s iPod touch. I’m guessing the the iPad is only the beginning and in 3-5 years it (and it’s copycats) will supplant the laptop.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Why put up a picture of a concept drawing after the real thing has been released? There is no ‘iPen’, nor does the iPad look anything like that, and the real dock is portrait mode, not landscape. No attached little kickstand either. I’m sure there will be a wireless keyboard at some point from a 3rd party, but it sure ain’t here now...

[mmichaels1970]

AT&T network (again: seriously?)

It's worst feature IMO.

On the bright side, I'm hoping that the $30/month 3G pricing affects the other carriers and brings the price down industry-wide.

[RayChuang88]

I’d almost get one but I’ll wait for the 1600x900 IPS display, more storage, and the iPhone OS 4.0, which is supposed to get true multitasking ability.

[Celerity]

Nasa / Intel Quantum core ? Boeing video ? 5000 terabytes ?

Sounds good to me ! I love the specs !

[Obadiah]

[Mr. Jeeves]

Compare the original iPod Classic to today’s iPod touch. I’m guessing the the iPad is only the beginning and in 3-5 years it (and it’s copycats) will supplant the laptop.

That's right. The killer app for the iPad will be drop dead perfect voice recognition technology, which will render keyboard computing obsolete.

[Uri’el-2012]

Molly Rants

Great name for a blogger.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Not getting very positive reviews anywhere."

iPan

[Hodar]

To make a iPad that features WiFi so you can surf the network via wireless internet access points; then neglect to support Flash (a main-stay of websites the world over) is mind-numbing to me.

This nearly defeats the entire purpose of having a web browser.