iPad vailable for pre-order
modified 03.24.10
The iPad will ship in a couple of weeks, but you can order now. In fact, Apple has reportedly sold something over 120,000 iPads since last Friday, when the pre-orders began.
Will the iPad work for me?
If you’re a reader, if you’re a tech geek, no question, the iPad is for you. The question is, will it help you in your business?
With a fast processor, a great multi-touch screen, 150 thousand plus apps available, the iPad is an amazing device. I want one! Still, there’s a few things I think it lacks:
First, storage is limited. It maxes out at 64 GB. My MacBook Pro has a 320 GB drive, about 3/4 full right now. If I wanted to use an iPad for the same purpose, I’d be out of luck. There’s no way to add storage, either through a card slot or an external hard drive.
Second, there’s no GPS. I’ve heard reports from scientists, contractors, inspectors, etc who think the iPad could be brilliant for them, IF they could geotag entries. Since the iPad triangulates between cel towers, much as the original iPhone did, it’s not as accurate, and it’s unavailable when out of cel range. A real GPS chip would make these people very happy. I’ve learned a few things since I wrote this…
Actually, only the 3G model has assisted GPS (aGPS) which can be an improvement over plain GPS – or not. This article describes the differences. The potential problem with the iPad is that if it doesn’t have Standalone mode, GPS won’t work without a connection to a network. My guess is that the functionality will be the same as that of the iPhone 3GS.
Modern cel phones carry an aGPS chip because it is necessary to comply with the enhanced 911 requirement, and most don’t have a separate SiRFIII GPS chip in addition. Apple hasn’t said that the iPad does have a separate chip, nor do they say if it can operate in standalone mode.
Third, I’d like to be able to use external peripherals, especially a printer, but also scanners, usb headsets, etc. would be very useful. Only thing is, there’s no USB port on the iPad.
Fourth, I think a camera, particularly a video camera would be invaluable. I can think of dozens of uses for an iPad to document almost anything if it had a camera, so that is certainly on my list.
Neither the iPhone or the iPad multitasks. This is frustrating on the iPhone, but is unacceptable on a computer, and the iPad is positioned as a computer, no matter what Apple may say. I hope multitasking is part of the next version of the OS, but haven’t heard anything that makes me confident that it will be.
So? Yes, I’ll buy one. I have to, as a consultant. If I had a choice, I’d wait until the 2nd generation came out, perhaps by the end of the year or beginning of next year, but I don’t. Am I unhappy about it? Not really… ;-}
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