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iPad Passed The Test

4 min read
iPadAppleTabletsTechnologyiOS

iPad: Six Months Later, Apple's Tablet Has Actually Won Me Over

Right, I'll admit it - I was proper skeptical when Steve Jobs stood on stage waving around what looked like a massive iPhone. "Who needs this?", I thought. "It's just going to be another expensive Apple toy". Well, after six months of using one, I reckon I might have been wrong.

The Initial Skepticism

Remember the launch back in January? Everyone was like:

  • "It's just a big iPod Touch!"
  • "Can't even make phone calls!"
  • "No Flash support? Seriously?"
  • "£429 for a web browser? You're having a laugh!"

And yeah, some of those points still stand. But here's the thing - it's actually brilliant at what it does.

Why It Actually Works

Reading

Remember all those companies trying to flog us e-readers? Well, the iPad's properly good at that:

  • iBooks is actually decent (though a bit expensive)
  • Kindle app works brilliant
  • Magazines are starting to look proper smart
  • News websites are actually readable

Email and Web

Here's where it gets interesting:

  • Safari's better than any mobile browser I've used
  • Typing emails isn't as bad as you'd think
  • Facebook actually works properly
  • But yeah, no Flash is still proper annoying

Apps

This is where Apple's got everyone beat:

  • Already got over 5,000 iPad-specific apps
  • iPhone apps work (even if they look a bit naff)
  • Games are brilliant
  • Some properly clever stuff coming out

The Battery Thing

This is mad - it actually lasts as long as Apple says it does:

  • Easily gets 10 hours
  • Standby time is ridiculous
  • Charges up pretty quick
  • Better than any netbook I've used

But It's Not All Brilliant

Some proper annoying bits:

  • Still no Flash (seriously, loads of websites don't work)
  • Can't plug in a USB stick
  • No proper way to get files on and off
  • That camera connection kit's another £25
  • No multitasking yet (iOS 4.2's coming soon though)
  • Typing long stuff is still a faff
  • Can't change the battery yourself

Who's Actually Buying These?

Apple reckons they've sold 3 million already. Mental. Seems like:

  • Loads of business people (surprisingly)
  • People who can't be bothered with proper laptops
  • Anyone who reads lots
  • People with too much money
  • Students (though its a bit dear for that)

The Competition's Coming

Everyone's trying to get in on it now:

  • Samsung's got that Galaxy Tab coming
  • BlackBerry's working on something
  • HP's bought Palm to do something tablet-y
  • Loads of cheap Android ones appearing
  • But none of them seem quite right yet

The Apps Make It

Here's what I'm actually using it for:

  • Reading newspapers (Times app's quite good)
  • BBC iPlayer (brilliant in bed)
  • Email (when I can't be bothered getting the laptop out)
  • Games (Angry Birds is addictive)
  • Showing off photos (properly good for that)
  • Quick web browsing
  • Reading books (sometimes)

Work Stuff

This is interesting - loads of business apps appearing:

  • Proper good PDF reader
  • Keynote's actually usable
  • Some decent document editors
  • But you still need a proper computer as well

The Price Thing

Look, it's expensive. But:

  • Build quality's properly good
  • Cheaper ones are coming
  • Might get cheaper before Christmas
  • Still cheaper than a MacBook

Should You Actually Get One?

Depends, innit. If you:

  • Read lots of stuff online
  • Travel a bit
  • Can afford it
  • Don't mind people thinking you're a show-off
  • Already use iTunes

Then yeah, maybe. But if you:

  • Need to do proper work
  • Are skint
  • Hate Apple
  • Need Flash websites

Probably wait and see what Samsung and the others come up with.

What's Next?

Reckon next year we'll see:

  • iPad 2 with cameras (FaceTime's coming, definitely)
  • Cheaper ones from other companies
  • More magazines and newspapers doing apps
  • Proper multitasking when iOS 4.2 comes out
  • Maybe some proper competition

Wrapping Up

Look, the iPad's not perfect - but it's properly changed how I use computers. It's not replacing my laptop, but for lounging about reading stuff, watching videos, and quick emails, it's brilliant.

Is it worth £429? If you've got the money and you know what you're getting (and what you're not), then yeah, probably. Just don't expect it to replace your proper computer. Yet.

P.S. - Anyone else noticed their battery life's still proper good after months of use? My iPhone was rubbish after a few months, but this just keeps going.