Apple iPad

Between a cell phone and a computer

The new device combines the functions of a computer, a videogame, a music player and a book reader. With a 9,7" touch screen, the computer is so thin that it is almost practically only screen. Keyboard, and other functions, appear directly on the screen. All iPod or iPhone applications work well on iPad. Its design and features made some people call it a big iPhone - and, what's bad, without the phone function


By GABRIELA ZAGO (gabriela.zago@wavemagazine.net)
from Porto Alegre, BRAZIL


On January 27th Apple has announced a new product: a tablet called iPad. The announcement was not what one could call a "surprise" - rumors about this new product were there all around the web, especially since the conference was announced. But what did surprise many people was the design and functionality of the tablet.

The new device combines the functions of a computer, a videogame, a music player and a book reader. With a 9,7" touch screen, the computer is so thin that it is almost practically only screen. Keyboard, and other functions, appear directly on the screen. All iPod or iPhone applications work well on iPad. Its design and features made some people call it a big iPhone - and, what's bad, without the phone function.

What it does not have

Much has been said about what is missing on iPad. Critics mainly focus on flash, multitasking, USB and camera as most missed features. Although many people didn't like it, there are possible explanations. For example, it may not have flash support because it causes Mac OS to run unstable, and also because they feel this technology will be overcame soon. For the same reason, multitasking and camera could make the tablet run slower. Technically, at least some multitasking will be allowed - like listening to music while reading a book, for example. But apparently it won't be possible to type a text on a text editor while surfing on the web. The explanation for no multitasking support is simple - Apple controls users experience in a way that they can avoid crashes.

Although it is possible to read books with iPad, just like in other book readers such as Kindle, there's a huge difference between them: Kindle's screen is not bright - it uses e-ink, a technology that is appointed to be a good thing for reading. iPad screen, on the contrary, is just like a computer screen, so it might not be too good for reading, at least not for a long time at once. On the other hand, iPad offers something that Kindle isn't capable of offering: full page flipping control.

What it does have

With a 1Ghz processor, iPad has WiFi connection, and, paying a little extra money, it can have 3G connection too. The battery can last up to 10 hours. Apple announced the creation of a version of iWorks compatible with iPad, that comes with Numbers, Pages and Keynote, all adapted to be used on a touch screen. A new application, called iBooks, was also released. The idea is to serve as a virtual shelter where users can buy and read books, just like the service offered by Amazon Kindle store.

Other devices will be able to help expanding iPad capabilities, such as a keyboard dock, that make it looks like a tiny iMac, or cable adapters, in order to be able to connect iPad to a bigger screen or projector.

Pricing will start at $499 for a Wi-Fi and 16Gb model, and goes up to $829, for a version with 64Gb, Wi-Fi and 3G. Wi-Fi iPads will be available in 60 days. 3G models will be out there in 90 days.

All applications that work on either iPhone or iPod Touch will be compatible with iPad. And just like its smaller friends, iPad usage is more focused on multimedia - like watching high quality movies, listening to music, playing games or accessing the Internet. It doesn't appear to be too practical for using for typing a document or preparing keynotes. It's a gadget all geek will dream to have, not to replace a notebook or a netbook, but to use at specific situations. It's more like an entertainment device - a really expansive one, it must be added - rather than a workstation. With all its features, the new iPad probably stands somewhere between a cell phone and a laptop.


(Published: 09.02.2010.)