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YES, I Do Love The iPad

posted on April 6, 2010

This past Saturday as I lay on the couch recovering from knee surgery, I eagerly awaiting the delivery of Laura’s iPad. Yes, it isn’t mine and it is 100% hers. She saw the original ads and really wanted one. How could I argue since it was a win win for me. I get to play with it and check it out and when the new version comes out I can actually buy that one for myself. This is the ultimate win for someone like me.

Even though the Boston Globe didn’t label me a local alpha adopter, everyone I know keeps asking me what I think of the iPad and the short and simple answer is that I love it. For all the detail freaks, I got her the 16GB Wi-Fi only model.

I was stuck laying on the couch all weekend. Using a laptop in this position is not possible, but the iPad was made to be used this way. Not having to position a keyboard or worrying about a mouse means that you can use it from any angle. I laughed thinking about how this must be the type of computer that Astronauts use as they are floating around in space. I’ve found myself feeling like an artist as I hold it in one hand and touch it with the other just like I’ve seen many artists when painting something.

The device is currently made to consume more than to create. This is the perfect device to leave laying on the coffee table to allow anyone to quickly check their e-mail, watch some video or interact in one form or another with other people. I’ve dubbed it Couch Computing. *grin*

While I’m not much of a gamer, Laura and the kids have been having a blast tilting and tapping it to play a bunch of games. I even fired it up to play some racing in which the iPad turns into your steering wheel on a high performance car and the graphics were top notch without any blips or bumps (except when I crashed into a building). There is a lot of money to be made in the game space for this device and I’m eager to see what comes out.

Emily Enjoying the iPad

I’m excited by this device for a lot of reasons:

  • It has a nice large screen that is sharp, crisp and video looks great on it. While I’d love for stereo speakers, the sounds is more then good enough and with headphones plugged in you miss nothing.
  • It felt strange at first in my hand, but instantly I got used to it and realized just how comfortable it fits in one hand. I’m curious if the 3G or the 64GB models are thicker or feel different then this.
  • The team that came up with the UI was extremely smart. Once you start using it, you naturally fall into the groove of just figuring everything out without having to be told how to do something. I watched as Dylan and Emily instantly figured it all out without any questions.
  • The variety of news outlets and magazines publishing content is good and is only going to get better. There are no usability standards yet so each one is an exercise in learning a new navigation. Right now USA Today has my personal favorite with the AP News doing a great job as well. GQ and Men’s Health both are trying so hard, but have yet to get it right yet. They are close though and all these kinks will work out in time so I’m not worried and am very excited about consuming more publications on the device.
  • I grew up loving comics and Marvel Comics has completely embraced this medium. After seeing how natural it was to read a comic, I can’t wait to see what companies like Panelfly do on the iPad for indie publishers and children picture books.
  • Netflix & ABC streaming of high quality video directly to the device is amazing. I just want to be able to get all my DVR content or all channels right on the iPad so that if I’m laying in bed or just chilling somewhere that I don’t have to actually go into the living room and turn on the television.
  • These are the early days and if I’m this excited now it is only going to get better.

I’m not a delusional Apple Fan Boy that thinks this is the best thing since slice bread because of course there are lots of improvements that I’d like to see get made. But, any of you who don’t think this changes everything is not thinking nearly big picture enough.

The concept of a completely touch screen device that has constant Internet connection changes everything from how people shop, interact and do business. This is the ultimate device for anyone not into computers but wanting to stay in touch with the world around them. One opening of the Weather Channel and I instantly laughed about how this is going to end up on every grandparent’s kitchen counter.

I’m eager for a future version that has a camera in it and will allow me to do an iChat video call with another person directly from the device. That can’t be that far away and as a photographer I now have a mini editing tablet to do post production on my photos in the field. Plus, it needs to be able to write on so that it can replace my paper notebook which I have yet to see anything come close to replacing yet, but this is getting there.

I may not personally own an iPad yet, but the Chapman Family does and we love it.


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Categories: Digital Dads / Technology
  • http://ajleon.me/ ajleon

    I haven't tried one out yet, but there's something that's been confusing me as far as using it as a e-reader. Kindle uses electronic ink, so its not backlit and doesn't burn the eyes with too much reading. No doubt the ipad is a powerful machine, but how do you feel it does as an e-reader?

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      One of the first apps I installed was the Kindle app so that I could compare it to that.

      I did not find any extra eye strain while reading and I liked that I didn't have to have a light while reading in a dark room since it lights up so nice.

      One place it does fall down in this regard is reading outside in the sun. Since it has that Apple shiny screen it doesn't do so well in sunlight so the Kindle wins in that battle hands down.

  • http://twitter.com/philcampbell Philip Campbell

    interesting highlights cc, balanced too. we like that.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jblossom John Blossom

    “The concept of a completely touch screen device that has constant Internet connection changes everything from how people shop, interact and do business.”

    Well, I'd agree with you that the iPad could be such a device, CC, if in fact it were a) the first device to do this, b) it did it well and c) it did it everywhere. As it is, a) we've had competent smart/super phones for some time now that do these things, b) the iPad is far from an ideal Web device, most notably with its lack of Flash support and c) we have yet to see how it will stack up as a device on mobile 3g networks. Some reports also seem to question its range even on wireless in-home LANs. The concept is excellent, the execution is smooth for mainstream media but I am not sure how the iPad is going to change things radically for people who are used to going to another room to read a book or watch TV. It's a great option, and being first out of the gate will give Apple enormous advantages, but I think that there are many shoes yet to drop in touch screen computing.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      I agree with you on all points, but this is the first device like this and on the scale of adoption as this is with this capability.

      I don't know if long term this device is the one that will win, but it IS the one that is going to bring this type of technology and connection to a whole new group of people who have never been exposed to it.

      Us geeks and alpha adopters know there are other options, but average joe and jane out on the street don't and this is going to open things up to a whole new world.

  • http://www.facebook.com/KarenMagno Karen Magno

    I love to use my laptop while lying in bed or on a recliner. I can therefore hardly wait to get an Ipad!

  • http://twitter.com/jasoncrouch Jason Crouch

    C.C. – I haven't had a chance to hold one yet, and that may be a good thing, since I'm virtually certain that I would feel compelled to buy one. Thanks for the info and the initial review. :)

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Yes, be very careful NOT to go into an Apple Store or Best Buy and play with one if you don't actually want one :)

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  • moderick

    CC I was away from home (Australia) for the release, on holiday in NZ. Do you reckon that future versions will in fact have a camera/video in them? Is that just spec?

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Without a doubt it will eventually have a camera in them and video capabilities.

      The iPad would be perfect to sit down on the couch or at the airport and have a video iChat session with someone else. Perfect everything for that except it doesn't have the camera. I'm excited for how this grows and changes.

  • http://brandice.net/blog brandice

    I'm loving mine too!! Glad you're enjoying it and the family is too. :)

  • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

    I too think it's a huge step towards an amazing future in computing, but I also feel it has more cons than pros.

    Could you elaborate a little more though, how it helps you post-production with your photos?

    What type of software are you using on the iPad?

    How can you edit without a mouse?

    I'm quite curious, and if you really can edit your photos on an iPad, I may find it has just the right pro I need to buy one. IF it's that great a photo app. ;)

    Waiting to hear back,
    Kathy
    (via ChrisBrogan.com)

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Curious what CONS you are referring to.

      As far as photos, it really depends on what sort of post production you want to do. I take a lot of photos on my iPhone and do post production on them with PSMobile, Best Camera and a few other apps. I'd love to be able to use those on the bigger format of the iPad so that I could see better what I'm changing and tweaking.

      I have yet to do any post production on the iPad because I have yet to see any apps released to do this, but they've got to be coming. At least I hope so.

      • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

        CONS (for me) – It has none of the following: Flash, office type apps (or is iWork office compatible?), camera, and all the bad reviews I've been reading online (crashes, batteries not recharging, wifi constantly losing connection or not working, etc.). As well as a few other apps I can't think of right now…need breakfast.

        Don't get me wrong, I want one just not yet. I'll take the 2nd or 3rd gen. Unless Nokia and Google come out with theirs before-hand.

        Have you used the Note app?

        I thought you were already photo editing. I now realize it was part of your wish list. But I will look into the photo editing apps offered in the Palm Store. I never thought to look at them, and now you've piqued my curiosity. :)

      • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

        iWorks was completely ported to the iPad. They are all simplified a bit, but so far are doing it for me to do the basics.

        The WiFi problem is the only one that makes me want to throw it out of a window daily and I hope a software fix is released soon.

      • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

        I keep getting the error below when clicking on the link to comments, in my email.

        “Error 404 – File not Found
        Sorry, but the page you were looking for could not be found.”

        If you're using WordPress, it's probably just an .htaccess fix.

        Where was iWorks ported from, the iPhone or Mac?

        Who handles their WiFi? That could be the issue right there.

        Keep an eye on charging the unit. The moment you start having problems take it back to Apple.

        I can't wait til someone comes out with something better. Something to eliminate the need of my netbook, desktop, camera, iPod, mouse, and keyboard. Something I can take anywhere, and it be the only piece of technology I need. That will be an awesome day in computing!

  • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

    I too think it's a huge step towards an amazing future in computing, but I also feel it has more cons than pros.

    Could you elaborate a little more though, how it helps you post-production with your photos?

    What type of editing software are you using on the iPad?

    Does it come standard with the iPad?

    How can you edit without a mouse?

    I'm quite curious, and if you really can edit your photos on an iPad, I may find it has just the right pro I need to buy one. IF it's that great a photo app. ;)

    Waiting to hear back,
    Kathy
    (via ChrisBrogan.com)

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

    Curious what CONS you are referring to.

    As far as photos, it really depends on what sort of post production you want to do. I take a lot of photos on my iPhone and do post production on them with PSMobile, Best Camera and a few other apps. I'd love to be able to use those on the bigger format of the iPad so that I could see better what I'm changing and tweaking.

    I have yet to do any post production on the iPad because I have yet to see any apps released to do this, but they've got to be coming. At least I hope so.

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

    Yes, be very careful NOT to go into an Apple Store or Best Buy and play with one if you don't actually want one :)

  • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

    CONS (for me) – It has none of the following: Flash, office type apps (or is iWork office compatible?), camera, and all the bad reviews I've been reading online (crashes, batteries not recharging, wifi constantly losing connection or not working, etc.). As well as a few other apps I can't think of right now…need breakfast.

    Don't get me wrong, I want one just not yet. I'll take the 2nd or 3rd gen. Unless Nokia and Google come out with theirs before-hand.

    Have you used the Note app?

    I thought you were already photo editing. I now realize it was part of your wish list. But I will look into the photo editing apps offered in the Palm Store. I never thought to look at them, and now you've piqued my curiosity. :)

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

    iWorks was completely ported to the iPad. They are all simplified a bit, but so far are doing it for me to do the basics.

    The WiFi problem is the only one that makes me want to throw it out of a window daily and I hope a software fix is released soon.

  • http://www.ocbchgal.com/ Kathy

    I keep getting the error below when clicking on the link to comments, in my email.

    “Error 404 – File not Found
    Sorry, but the page you were looking for could not be found.”

    If you're using WordPress, it's probably just an .htaccess fix.

    Where was iWorks ported from, the iPhone or Mac?

    Who handles their WiFi? That could be the issue right there.

    Keep an eye on charging the unit. The moment you start having problems take it back to Apple.

    I can't wait til someone comes out with something better. Something to eliminate the need of my netbook, desktop, camera, iPod, mouse, and keyboard. Something I can take anywhere, and it be the only piece of technology I need. That will be an awesome day in computing!

  • http://twitter.com/davidjacobs David Jacobs

    My wife looked at an iPad but she wasn't excited About it until she found out there was a 3g version. The prospect of constant connectivity completely chances her mind. Different people. Different use cases