Apple’s iPad. What a disappointment

It’s finally here. After months of rumors, speculation and a hype level only comparable to that of the iPhone a couple of years ago Apple finally released its “netbook killer” to fill the niche between smartphones and laptops.

I’ve been restraining myself from writing about it. After all, who needed another speculative post? What else was I going to add that hadn’t already been said? Now it’s out so that’s why I’m finally writing about it.

I followed the keynote on Engadget and Gizmodo and as a good fanboy I told myself that I was gonna remember that afternoon just as good as I still remember exactly where I was (on the other side of the globe) and what I was doing (lying in bed with a coffee) the day the iPhone was launched.

I remember that the first thing I thought right after the iPhone announcement was “I’m gonna get one no matter what” (which never happened since I jumped on the Android wagon). This time my reaction was quite different. Right before thinking what a disappointment it was I held my breath waiting for that “One more thing”. I hoped that Steve Jobs would say: “Ok guys, this is just a prank. THIS is the real iPad” and would dazzle us with a new UI, an unique OS, multitasking, rear and front-facing camera, a new human interface to interact with the device (a-la Minority Report) and some of those (really) revolutionary things we’ve been seen through Apple’s patent filings during the past months… but it never happened. I think that’s one drawback of Apple’s rumor/marketing strategy. It creates too much anticipation, so unless you deliver something groundbreaking it will be hard to maintain expectations.

The iPad turned out to be an oversized and stripped down iPhone and more locked down content-wise. The keynote felt like a product demonstration show instead of a new product introduction. The iPad has no USB, no HDMI, no Flash support, no GPS, no cameras, the same old (only extruded) soft keyboard which I guess it’s going to be a pain to type with one hand or while on the move. So, unless you are seated on a couch with your knees bent you’d better be a creative fellow to find a comfy position to type.

On another note, the apps. It’s so neat to see iPhone apps working in the iPad at the iPhone’s native resolution. But why would I do that if I cannot multitask. What’s the point? Exercise my sight hoping that this “magical” (as noted by Jobs) device will cure my Astigmatism? Moreover, the AppStore is bursting with location based apps an Augmented Reality is also getting to the mainstream. Has Apple decided to ignore that by crippling the tablet by not adding a GPS and camera?

One more thing… I (and many more) think that the tablet would be the best form factor for video-conferencing. Bigger than a smartphone and easier to handle than a laptop. But you know what? That ain’t gonna happen for now.

If it took Apple 10 years to think the product. They have had 10 years to learn from past mistakes (Newton) and those made by others in the field and still, they couldn’t come up with something promised and stated as revolutionary.

Finally, I really hope this won’t hurt AAPL stock since the iPad was not a part in Apple’s shares (it’s iPhone, Macs, software and peripherals). Worst case scenario is that the tablet won’t add much market cap and the overall stock could suffer from the fluke but not in a disastrous manner.

I’m disappointed. I’ll be waiting for the 2nd gen hoping that this “issues” will be addressed.

Update: this is what Adobe has to say about the iPad’s lack of Flash.

Technorati Tags: aapl, apple, first impressions, iPad, iphone, keynote, launch, steve jobs

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