After purchasing the 64GB 3G iPad, I’ve managed to fit it into my daily workflow for one week now. Here are my initial impressions on the device I feel changes mobile computing in a catastrophic way.
The iPad has meant I can use my MacBook Pro as a ‘desktop machine’ only having to take it off the desk when I need to take serious work with me on the go, namely when Aperture is needed in the field. No more do I need to open the lid of my laptop each morning, I can do all the morning email processing, feed reading, and web browsing in the comfort of my bed before I head off to work – completely skipping out the desk and the power machine.
Here’s a few initial impressions.
Data Syncing – Pages and Things are the main two applications which run into a problem using. Cultured Code have worked extremely hard to make the multi platform Things as user friendly as possible when it comes to syncing data across the Mac, iPhone and iPad. They’re currently working on a cloud based syncing solution.
Pages lack of syncing is a very worrying issue. The fact that Apple didn’t hit the nail on the head first time around worries me that they don’t yet have a proper solution for keeping documents organised between the Mac and the iPad versions of the program. Apple need a permanent, easy solution to sync over cloud between Mac and the iPad.
The Notes application under iOS3 is very similar. Notes sync only when your device is plugged in and connected to iTunes. There needs to be an over the air syncing solution between all three devices utilising the MobileMe push data system.
Downloads – I download a bunch of new music each day from a range of sites. This can be overcome by the iTunes Store on the device, however this really limits me to what’s available on iTunes.
A downloads manager built into Safari would be a welcome feature, where MP3 files are moved directly into the iPod application, movies into the Videos application, and so forth. This already works with photos, to save a photo directly to the Photos app you simply hold your finger down on a photo and tap save image.
Lack Of Flash – Haven’t missed out on anything that’s made me feel like flash should haven’t been left out. Whilst the New Zealand Herald is the only site I watch video on which hasn’t moved to the new HTML5 ‘standard’ – it’s only been an inconvenience to me once or twice.
Newspaper Applications – Most of the popular US newspapers have now been converted into iPad applications. However the newspaper I read daily, the New Zealand Herald doesn’t yet have an iPad application, and I haven’t heard about anything under development. As of now the full website view in Safari is more than satisfactory until they get an app into the store.
Uploading Images – It appears that websites allowing photo uploads operate best within a native application. Sites such as Facebook and New Zealand eBay like site TradeMe haven’t let me attach images from the photos application to upload forms.
Software Keyboard – In landscape mode, very easy to type a great amount of text comfortably. Sometimes feels a little slow to react to quick typing. Delete button located in a different spot than on the iPhone’s software keyboard which makes for a difficult transition between the two devices throughout the day.
Typing Angle – Without a case which alters the angle the iPad sits at, typing a lot of text is a less than pleasant experience. However it’s not impossible, this whole entry was written with the iPad lying flat on various surfaces without the aid of a case to prop it up.
Battery – Amazing. I’m not even having the charge the iPad once a day, generally charging it overnight every second day. This point appears to be the one thing everyone has been amazed by. It’s great having a device that does almost everything I need a portable machine to do last me two days of continuous on/off use.
Standout Applications - Apple has the developers to thank for making the device so attractive to a wide audience. Personally, I’ve been using Things, Instapaper & Reeder very heavily.
Rotation Lock – Following in the footsteps of other aesthetically pleasing Apple devices, the iPad has just four physical buttons protruding off the aluminum and glass casing, the home button, lock button, volume slider, and new addition the rotation lock switch. This switch is now invaluable. Ever hated using the iPhone in bed whilst lying down and having the rotation change on you, this switch takes away that annoying rotation when you know what position you want to use the iPad in.