My First Impressions of the iPad

(NOTE: I typed up and posted this post on an iPad using Blogger's website. But I had to wait until I got back to my netbook to add the photo and format the bullet points. I expect an app that would take care of both of these issues will be available soon -- if one's not available already.)

I'm currently at the Apple Store in Clarendon, typing this post on an iPad. I must say I am very impressed with this machine so far. I actually first saw this on Saturday evening. My initial reaction was 50% "WOW!" and 50% "Meh." Having spent a little more time with this, my impression is more like a 85/15 split.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

• The display is brilliant and the extra real estate makes this much more useful for intensive data processing than the iPhone.
• I initially thougt the keyboard was tough to type on, but I have quickly adjusted to it and can actually type pretty fast on it. (Like I said, I am typing this up on the iPad.). I doubt I'm much slower typing on this than I am on my Asus netbook.
• This is one of the most responsive computers I've ever used.
• I love the thought of carrying around something that weighs 1.5 pounds and is half an inch thick in lieu of a laptop or netbook.
• I love the thought of 10 hour battery life.
• I wish it had the ability to use a precision stylus. If it could, it might replace paper for me too.
• If you're not budget constrained, I'd recommend getting the 3G/GPS model which should be available at the end of the month.
• This is the best photo viewer I've ever seen.
• I wish it had an SD card slot for transferring photos. I know there's a camera kit on the way, but is should have been built in.
• I agree with everyone who is disappointed there's no webcam for video chats.
• This is the best eBook reader I've used. Put a good PDF reader in this and it would be incredible for reading academic articles.

In a nutshell, I'm genuinely impressed and can see one of these in my future very soon...

I'll post more thoughts later. For now, I better get back to campus and start preparing for class.

A View of the Cherry Blossoms

A photo I took of the Cherry Blossoms in DC this past Saturday. Unfortunately, they had already passed their peak, but were still beautiful. I've been spoiled by previous years. Hope to get more photos up soon.

iPad: The Future Starts Today?

An interesting post on how the iPad will permanently change our expectations of computers:

Just like the iPhone changed the idea of what a phone should be without anyone truly realizing it, Apple's new computer will completely and permanently change our idea of what a computer is and how it should behave.

The perception change will be so deep that it will kill Mac OS X, Windows and Linux as we know them today. At one point during this decade, you will no longer have a billion folders and file icons floating in a virtual desktop. There will be no more baffling setup screens. No more shortcuts to work around limitations and old conventions. These frustrating barriers—built during decades of evolution—are what make normal people hate computers. These barriers have now been obliterated, first by the iPhone and now by the iPad. Everyone will be using computers similar to the iPad. Not in terms of hardware, form factor, and specs. But on its philosophy. Even the naysayers would have abandoned the Desktop Metaphor by them (in fact, some naysayers already bought theirs).

That is what is important about the Apple's new mobile computer. It shows that computers have—must—be an invisible platform, one that shifts its appearance to give people the tools to complete the tasks they want to accomplish, whatever these are. To enjoy and create content. To play. To communicate. To work. By being invisible and letting the applications do the work in the most simple way possible, the power of the computer will, at last, be available for everyone. No previous knowledge required. From a 3-year-old baby to your 90-year-old grandma, people will be able to just do things.

Read the whole thing.

Gizmodo's Favorite iPad Apps

For the most part, they look awesome.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Marvel Comics Coming to iPad

Looks like I guessed right (see #24) -- Marvel Comics is coming to the iPad. Not only that, but Netflix streaming is too. So is CBS and ABC. Hopefully, NBC and Hulu will follow.

Like I said, I think I'm gonna like the iPad.

Looking at the iPad from Two Angles

David Pogue has two reviews of the iPad in today's New York Times -- one for techies and one for normal people. His conclusion?

The bottom line is that the iPad has been designed and built by a bunch of perfectionists. If you like the concept, you’ll love the machine.

The only question is: Do you like the concept?

I know I do. And my guess is I will love it. I hope to get into the Apple Store early next week to take a look for myself.

P.S. -- Boy Genius has a good round-up of more iPad reviews. One of the most exciting things for me is that both David Pogue and Walt Mossberg report stellar battery life for the iPad. Both got significantly more than the 10 hours Apple claims.