Apple Ipad -Don't Judge a Book by it's lack of Cover

I own three Ipods, a very sleek and expensive MacBookPro as well as an Ipone 3g so I am clearly a Mac camper.  I, like the rest of the herd was excited when I heard about the new hot toy that Jobs and Co. officially opens to the public tomorrow, the Ipad.

Is this device incredible?  In short , yes, but remember this, Tekkies are sometimes akin to Casanova in their fickle nature.  They will adore and love you passionately for a while, but sooner rather than later they are off to the newest flavor of the month.  When making this purchase think about it's value to you six months down the road rather than simply an impulse buy.

One doesn't think of Apple as chipmakers, but perhaps with this device in mind, they purchased a chip making company a few years back.  The result is high speed functionality without the heat nor weight of it's predessors.This device is sleek, sexy, fast and a real eye turner.  It will also give you the wonderful experience of turning real pages as you read your favorite book or periodical.  The hi-res. 9.7" screen also gives one a more pc like experience of viewing the web, unlike the Iphone.

Who is this for?

Ultra-mobile Professionals who don't require the power of a MacBook Pro will love this.  I will never forget growing up in Brooklyn when folks still allowed travelling salesmen in your home to display their wares.  They were real-life Willy Lomans from their wrinkled gray trench coats to their sagging shoulders and overloaded  bags of salesman samples.  To think that my mom still proudly displays her attractively bound complete set of Encyclopedia Brittanica's in her living room warrants a chuckle as one single obsolete volume easily outweights one Ipad several times over, without providing one tength of the Ipad's usefulness. The salesmen of today's generation can stand proudly now and show off all their wares with the 1.6 pound Ipad 3g.  Real-Estate agents can become that much more efficient by showing their clients 360 degree views of promising homes before getting out of the car.  This will also help researchers and mobile news teams emmensley with GPS, Email, The Web and Periodicals and few clicks away.  

Don't buy the Undercoating

I bought my first new car in 1994 and it was what they used to call a Fix or Repair Daily mobile, A Ford Mustang.  Under the lights, my cherry red Mustang was too good to be true for 13k.  After all the must haves such a ultraexpensive 1994 phone plan, car rugs, spoilers and undercoating the final cost jumped up considerably.  While the Mustang and Ipad are wonderful innovations; simply look at the entire picture and eliminate any unneccessary features.

At $499 the base Ipad with Wi-fi is a decent deal.  However a true tech pro will desire the full blown 64 gig , 3 gig plus wi-fi model, but remember while the Ipad's computing, mobility and gaming ability are impressive, the cost also will turn heads.  For the top of the line unit, which will be available in late April, one will initially spend $829.

Throw in a keyboard, a sexy case, Apple Care, book/magazine subscriptions, the cost of monthly 3g service  and perhaps Mobile Me you are looking at another $700 bucks during the first year alone.

Apps Please

Of course there will be apps; a recent tally suggests a number near 200k, but which ones will you really need or use.  I think Netflix, Email, Facebook, Linked In, YouTube are sure fire winners as well as gaming and map based programs.

The lack of a built in camera will limit one's ability to use Skype and mobile uploads, but we all know that come late summer, a newer less costly version will include a more features, less bugs and a camera.

Final Thoughts

The intial surge will make this an instant hit, but that doesn't mean you must or should purchase one during a recession.   Control your urges and wait for the next version to hit the stores.  In the interim prepare for the introduction of this new device by simplifying your life.  Sell or donate your older desktops, handhelds and laptops.  The cost of new software, additional ram and virus protection will render these nearly obsolete anyway so declutter your life before introducing a new gizmo into the fold.  In a terrific irony this could be one of those revolutionary devices that bring the world to your fingertips, while at the same time cutting you off from the real world around you.

Remember use everything in moderation; even at 1.5 pounds.

Joe Appio

http://www.visualavenue.com/techin60