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iPad
I believe I have just seen the Kindle Killer.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.
no subject
it's pretty damn good
Yes, there's limits to what it can do, no camera so no video skype, the ATT contract is month to month which is great, depending on the terms of the contract, but ATT can't handle iPhone traffic in large metro areas, I can't see how ATT will take on this additional demand for bandwidth. I never have wanted an iPhone because of the contract costs combined with how little I use a cell phone except while traveling made the iPhone a gadget I didn't see much benefit in for me personally. The month-to-month contract option might be attractive, and the chance to use SIMS on the 3G models is intriguing, I will be searching for more details on all Mac sites for weeks, I'm sure.
I will have to wait for the international issues to get cleared up, that's important for me. I'm betting that Boingo will figure out a way to offer trans-national wireless service of some sort that won't be as ruinous as ATT's international data plans.
I like the dock and the screen cover, both look elegant and lightweight.
Considering its use as an e-reader, it does have the Kindle beat hands down. For years I've wanted some sort of e-reader that had a color display for birding books, tourist guides and the like. I have some good apps on my iPod touch, such as bird guides which really need to be in color to be useful in the field. Plus the pocket-sized iPod Touch fits in pocket or purse, although battery life on the Touch is problematical.
My laptop enables me to do a lot of different things on the road that aren't going to be covered by the iPad. So I see this an adjunct gadget, not a replacement for a laptop. (I really want a new laptop, the Powerbook is 5.5 yrs old now. But I've been waiting as new models appeared over the last year or so, and nothing new has really fit my specs, I'd like a lighter weight 15", with firewire ports, so that strikes out the Mac Air, and leaves me looking at the Mac Book Pro which still weighs over 5lbs). At 1.5 pounds, I could carry a whole library of big fat fantasy books around with me everywhere, and that would save a lot of room in my carry-on. Perhaps publishers would offer a digital copy along with a hardcover purchase free or for a few dollars more - maybe that would increase the desirability of buying books rather than pirating books on the web.
I think it's going to be a hit, but its full impact won't be seen for at least a year or two. Much like the original iPod. It sure does look gorgeous, and from what Leo LaPorte was saying, it sounds like it feels good in the hand, and is very very fast.
Yeah, I want one, and come this summer, I just might buy one after the first few hundred thousand have gotten into the hands of end users and we learn more about specs, features, options. Do you think that the recent push by some publishers to claim e-rights to titles that were contracted long before there was a internet was in part motivated by the holiday sales of the Kindle and their e-book titles and their knowledge that Apple was about to unveil the iPad?
Someday we'll be at the same convention in a town with and Apple store, and we'll have to go and geek out together.
Re: it's pretty damn good
I agree -- I don't see this as a laptop replacement; it's not 'heavy-duty' enough for that. But as an adjunct device that you can take with you when you don't need/want to carry your laptop, it's looking awfully good. There are things I would have like to have seen on it (a forward-facing camera for Skype/video conferencing or a built-in USB port, for instance) but accommodating everyone's feature 'wish list' would have kicked the price up to four-figures. I've heard some online complaints about the lack of multitasking, but that is already part of iPhone 4.0 software's feature set, so as soon as that arrives, we'll magically have that.
I like it. And -- like the iPods and iPhones, it will continue to evolve.