By: Hillel Fuld
Yesterday was a big day for me. While I am a complete gadget nut and always want the newest toys, truth be told, I am not much of an early adopter. It is mainly budgetary constraints since I do not usually have money laying around to buy the newest toys. However, yesterday, I got my iPad 3g 64GB.
Before I go into the details of what you are here to read, let me just say that somehow every time I open any Apple product, the same thought comes to mind. “Why can’t other companies have such nice packaging?” Apple pays attention to every little detail and it is very obvious in the elegant packaging they use for their products. OK, I know, I have not told you anything you did not already know.
As for the iPad, not to sound to clich’e but, wow. Everyone around me seems to be saying wow for the past 24 hours and my co worker actually was so impressed with the device, that he offered to buy it from me on the spot for $1,100 (it costs $820 new). I love the device and I would recommend it to anyone. However, nothing is perfect, and there are some serious flaws with Apple’s debut into the tablet market (did that market really exist before the iPad?). I am not going to be talking about the lack of Flash or USB ports because we all read about these issues and to be honest, neither of them really bother me. However, other things do, and someone needs to tell people about them, so here goes.
The following is a list of issues I have with my iPad:
- Fingerprints: I am not an expert on the topic, but it seems to be that there has to be a way to make displays more resistant to finger prints. The iPad, whether you like it or not, is a beautiful device, but after using it and turning off the screen, you will notice that every single point of contact has finger prints on it. I plan on getting a screen protector to fix this problem, but if Apple can come up with a Retina display for the iPhone that exceeds the capabilities of the human eye, they have to be able to invent a screen that is somehow resistant to fingerprints. Am I missing something?
- Awkward: This is something I read about a little before buying the iPad and it is also the reason all the Apple clips show the iPad users laying down with the iPad on their laps, but I did not realize if was such a real issue. How on earth am I supposed to hold this thing? Putting aside the whole laptop replacement or not, the iPad is a tablet computer and I for one, do not understand how one is supposed to input text on a device like this. When I am laying down in bed, I can place the iPad on my knees, but when at a desk, it is flat so I cannot type, and I am not going to talk about moving around and holding it in your hands. Without a case, the iPad is awkward.
- Heavy: Yes, it only weighs 1.5 lbs I know, but somehow the iPad is much heavier than you would expect. In Apple’s defense, I prefer a heavy device that is engineered to perfection, which is what I believe the iPad is, over a device that is light and feels flimsy. Having said that, the iPad is way too heavy to hold in your hands for an extended period of time. Then again, maybe I need to pay a visit to the gym.
- CoverFlow: OK, till now we covered some hardware issues, now onto the software. There are some features that would have been such a natural fit for a device like the iPad and for some odd reason, they are missing. One of my biggest surprises was the lack of CoverFlow for the iPad music player. You know the famous iPhone interface that allows you to swipe between all your albums with the cover of the album in full size? Yea, you can’t do it on the iPad. Now, truth be told, if this feature had been implemented on the iPad, I would have had to replace most of my album art because they are mostly low resolution pictures, but that is something I would have happily done for a little CoverFlow action. Strange on Apple’s part to leave this out.
- Camera/s: OK, I know what you’re thinking. “OK, the iPad has no camera, move on, and if it bothers you so much, don’t buy one”. You’re right, but I cannot talk about the missing features of the iPad without mentioning this. The ability to Skype call on an iPad is something that would have been the very first feature I enabled on such a device, if I were Steve Jobs. We now know he recognizes the potential of video calling technology, so why would he leave it out on the iPad? Not to mention a regular camera, which is something so standard today. Sorry to be so conspiratorial but the only explanation I can think of is that Mr. Jobs wanted to save an iPad camera for next year’s “One more thing”.
- Music Player: I am a big believer in the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, but apparently the engineers of the iPad music player are not. Correct me if I’m wrong but the music player on the iPhone/iPod Touch is near perfection, or at least the best the market has to offer, so why change it on the iPad? The new interface is significantly more confusing. Whether it is the lack of a Now Playing option, or the confusing hidden Shuffle buttons, I am not going to say I don’t get it, but unlike the iPhone version, it took me some time to get used to. Not a huge deal but more of an unnecessary annoyance.
- Button Confusion: We have all heard the claim that the iPad is just a big iPod Touch, and while I disagree due to enhancements in the iPad’s screen, processing power, and interface, I will say that there are a lot of similarities. However, I am not sure why the buttons, and specifically the power button could not have been in the same place as the iPod Power button. I know you think I am nitpicking, but it has been 24 hours and I am still trying to hit the power button on the top left side every time, and forgetting that it is actually on the top right side. I want to believe there is a reason for this inconsistency, and in Apple’s defense I will say that if this was any other company, this point would be a non issue, but Apple does things right, and this is wrong. UPDATE: Turns out the Power button is on the right side on the iPhone as well (I am using a BlackBerry, so what do I know?), which strengthens my point since it is on the left of the iPod Touch, so why the inconsistency? Thanks for pointing that out Guy.
- Video Conversion: Nothing new here, I know, but wow is this annoying. Getting a video from my Canon camera onto the iPad is a serious and annoying process. OK, I get it, Apple supports limited video types, but why can’t iTunes convert the video to a compatible format? If I add an Avi file to my iTunes, it just sits there, does not tell me it won’t work on the iPad and then generates an error when I attempt to play it on the iPad. So the way I see it, Apple has two choices. Either offer support for more video types or help users make their videos compatible with your software. Leaving it the way it is now is unacceptable especially since the iPad is supposed the ultimate device when it comes to ease of use, and no way in hell my dad will be able to convert his videos to work on an iPad.
- iPhone Apps: I am not a developer, so I am not speaking from that angle, but as a user, the whole iPhone apps scaled to fit the iPad screen is not an acceptable solution. If you have no idea what I am talking about, the iPhone has over 200,000 apps available in the App Store, while the iPad has close to 10,000 so to allow users the use of iPhone apps on the iPad, Apple has enabled a magnify button so the iPhone app fills up the 10 inch screen. However, naturally the iPhone apps look pretty pathetic on the iPad screen, and once again, that is unacceptable. I do not know if this is something that can be improved in the iPhone SDK or something developers have to change in their code, but seeing pixelated Facebook pictures on my iPad kinda defeats the purpose of having such a nice display.
- App Prices: Only in a mobile market with such fierce competition could this point have any validity. I would never have complained about mobile apps costing $5 two years ago, but with so many free iPhone apps, not to mention Android apps, the iPad apps are a little pricey for me. Now, let me say that I am all for developers making some money and I understand that iPad apps given the larger display should cost more money, but I am suggesting a different solution. If Apple would loosen up its gates a little and approve more apps, we users would have more selection. Now for a device that is in existence for just two months, 10,000 apps is an astounding number, but I just wonder how many apps Apple has rejected over the past two months (I can personally think of two apps that should be on the App Store and were rejected or not approved, tawkon and Appsfire). More apps= more competition= better products and lower prices! That is my vision for the App Store.
- iPhone 4: Wait, what? The iPhone 4 is something that bothers me about the iPad? Yes! Apple does this all the time. Before I even get to enjoy my new toy, they come out with a new one that gives you a clear indication of what your toy will look like in the future. It is now pretty obvious to all that the next iPad will have a significantly enhanced display, something along the lines of the iPhone 4’s Retina display. In fact, I read somewhere that after using the iPhone 4, it is very hard to go back to the iPad’s screen. Now I know the technology world moves fast, but can’t Apple wait a little next time to let me glow in my fortune of having the coolest toy on the block?
Now, I have to state for the record that if I were to list the things I love about the iPad, the list would be a whole lot longer. The display is mind blowing, the engineering is flawless, the OS is a piece of art (and I am not even using iOS 4 yet), and the HD apps are stunning. However, the above issues are real issues not mentioned in any of the iPad reviews I have read (and I have read a lot of iPad reviews). Would I say any of these are reasons not to get an iPad? Unless you are a person who has the patience to wait for iPad 2.0, I would say no. The iPad is an overall game-changing device, and I am loving it as I am sure you will.
One more thing I was thinking while writing all these points is that I am such a complainer. This reminded me of my favorite online video of all time, entitled “Everything is Great and Nobody is Happy.” It talks about our lack of appreciation when it comes to modern technology and it is an absolute must watch! Watch the video below.
Do you have an iPad or are you thinking of getting one? Do these issues change anything for you? Please let us know in the comments!
Hey Hillel, nice article.
Maybe they make it hard to convert video for the iPad because they want you to buy video content (movies, TV shows) from them instead of getting it from BitTorrent (or wherever)?
Sure, that doesn’t help with your home movies, but I’m sure it’s something that Apple has thought about…
Great post in pure Hillel style. The killer line here was:
How on earth am I supposed to hold this thing? LOL
Martin, you are right, but that does not solve anything since I can still download and convert it to play on the iPad. All it does is annoy the 85% of users that just want their home videos on Apple products… Thanks for commenting man. Oren, u da man 🙂
Finger prints and the iPhone apps bother me the most, so there you go I’m less fussier than you 😛 Roll on iPhone4 now – I wonder how many complaints you will have with that!? lol Btw is your BB going to be keeping it company or will you ditch it? It’ll have to be mind blowing for me to ditch the BB, we’ll see….
1. I don’t have enough of them.
LIke Martha Stewart, I’d like an iPad in every room of hte house so I don’t have to move it around.
2. Speakers
I find my self cupping my hand around hte speakers to get the sound to be louder at times. The Apple case partally covers the speaker. I use headphones sometimes.
3. iTunes
I’d like to ba able to see my iPad as a hard disk and not have to go through iTunes to move files around.
4. Applications
I haven’t bout the apps yet because I’ve heard of some incompatabilities. Haven’t had time to check them out although I’d like to use hte iPad as a presentation device at conferences.
5. iPhone Apps
Applications like the Apple Store App that are just iPhone apps and not ported to the iPad are lame.
LOL you should play ball with me already! How do you hold your kids for an extended period of time? 🙂
You’re seriously complaining about software prices? Theyre ridiculously cheap compared to PC software but, no, you want Apple to help drive down the prices. Not a fan of a free market, are we?
I wonder if you’d be willing to do your job for less money too. Maybe if the government increased competition for your position to drive down wages.
Un-believable.
I knew that would make some people angry Daniel, but the bottom line is iPad apps are significantly more expensive than iPhone apps and there are a lot fewer free ones…
“iPad apps are significantly more expensive than iPhone apps and there are a lot fewer free ones…”
Yes. That’s right. So?
Let me spell it out…
iPad apps are already cheap by the standards of any other platform with a screen above 5 inches. They’re certainly not expensive by any reasonable measure. (I waste more money on lunch, myself.) This is a good thing.
Developers have a right, as does anyone, to make a living from their work. That’s a good thing too.
The app store is a free market. That’s also a good thing.
So… What, exactly, is bad about all this?
Wanting Apple to help you manipulate a free market makes you sound like you have a sense of entitlement to rival the average music pirate. It’s an absurd complaint.
If you have to complain about the prices for iPad Apps, you just don’t make enough money.
80% of iPhone users make over $50,000 a year. They have a lot of disposable income. This is far more true for the iPad.
Thus, being cheap and a scrooge about app prices means you aren’t like the vast majority of iPhone/iPad customers. You’re too poor.
The solution is to get a second job or a better job. Get an education also since the vast majority of iPhone/iPad users also have a college degree.
I don’t care about the fingerprints, and the idea there is no camera or video delights me. I bought the iPad for what it does well and for convenience. Internet, emailing, social media and ease of use anywhere are my priorities. If I want to do the other stuff, I got an iPhone and a MacBook. But nothing, but nothing compares with the pleasure of using an iPad. As for Apple’s ghastly crassness in exploiting it’s fans, if you don’t want it stop opening your wallet.. Otherwise just lie back, enjoy and think of England, as they say.
The iPad does have “Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating” imagine how bad it would be without that (actually, I know, doing computer support most of the laptops that come in for service have way more fingerprints & smudges on the screen than my iPhone gets, and the iPhone wipes of easier)
as for the weight… I frequently read much larger & heavier books, 1.5 lbs is a real lightweight in comparison. (Same as the books I read, I brace the book and/or my arm while reading, not holding it in the air) Sure it is heavy compared with a magazine, so the weight is really relative to what the individual user is used to.
For converting your videos, it can be done iTunes 9.1.1 on a Mac, at least. Select the video in iTunes, then under the Advanced menu, there is a “Create iPad or Apple TV version” option.
+1
Nice article Hillel, I especially like the part where you identified the lack of forward facing camera, even standard camera.
You hit the nail on the head. Apple have surely had the iPhone 4 in development for quite sometime, as with the iPad. Yet they can’t manage to squeeze in at least one camera into the iPad. It utterly amazes me, with a unit of this size and the space available inside, that they can’t squeeze in a camera. Look how cram packed the iPhone 4 is and they managed to get two cameras in.
Well done Hillel, you hit many issues on the head. This is just another way for Steve Jobs to drip feed us incramental increase in technology and a way to sell a new model every year.
Great points Hillel. It also needs a stand, hard to read web content flat. You have to bend over it.
The lack of a camera and Skype really bothers me. As a business tool when I’m out and about I really need it. The netbook is still better for mobile working.
Great post! I hope more people will realize that the iPad is merely a way for Apple to gain more profits. I think the iPhone has more features than the overrated iPad. Believe me that in a year or so, they will release a newer model.
Finally! Someone that tells it like it is (except in a non-boring, funny way)!
I’ve been wanting one, hemming and hawing (and slightly drooling) over one but not sure if I wanted to take the plunge.
I do think I will wait until the next generation comes out. I’m either patient or perhaps just waiting for the Swiss Lotto or German Heiress cash I’ve been promised to come through — in which case I will break down and shell out the bucks. 😉
Until then — I’d like to see what changes are made and how the iPad is improved before I dig in.
Stop complaining! seriously maybe its just your ipad! and maybe your cover flow is off in settings i have got an ipad and it works perfectly! and the ipad is apples latest invention you cannot expect them to make 200,000 apps already!
That video is great. Loved it.
The fingerprints and camera are my biggest gripes but not enough to stop me from praising this device. Of course a better one will come out next year and then I’ll buy that one too.
Nice article.
You used the word bother. None of these things actually bother me. Yes, there are lots of fingerprints (and will still be after you put the screen cover onto) but they clean off easily. None of the other things bother me. I usually have the iPad propped against something (currently my bag on a cafe table). I have trained my dog to lie still as an iPad holder in bed.
I’m about to go into a board meeting where I will be able to answer every scientific question using pubmed on the iPad throughout the meeting.
I love it.
Thanks Margaret, I am loving it now too a few months later 🙂
Be sure to get a Apple camera connector kit. Also, power support makes a screen protector that is very nice. Just like the iPhone screen protector