iPad no more
iPad no more. Why? Big disappointment on multi-levels. Quick sharing some:
Current OS should have reflected and included the iOS4 functionalities such as multi-emails threading, folder creation and most importantly, multi-taskings since it was most likely concurrently being developed by Apple, right? Especially that the device ain’t cheap – why not load it with the most recent version?
Sound? You must be kidding right? Absolutely need to wear headphones (or plug it into an outside system) So much for portability? No go for that.
Screen? Why not incorporate the Lumina retina screen technology right off the bat – since the device will be mostly used to see or read as advertised, right? So that is really crappy. Some apps are not apps just feeding progressive (often pixellized) .jpg that mimick magazine pages (GQ Japan).
Now for apps.
With all the media hooplah – as a new media pioneer – was expecting to be really blown away. Instead was made confused (usability anyone?) by obscure navigation, too much advertising pages (it could have been something else – such as the Cadillac sponsor spot on Coolhunting) and little to no interactivity..
Ok, this is a wifi digital what not that has not been thought of to hook up to the Internet seamlessly. You know the INTERNET!!! Do I need to be asked that it will open Safari (is there any other optional browser I’m missing?) and need to say OK?!?!
Oh no! Did I just follow that link within the Coolhunting app (which is totally one of the better ones).. I’m so dead. Safari opened and.. because no multi-tasking – I have lost my spot in Coolhunting which is closed too, so I need to start all over again. Hate that.
Wired? Well I’m bummed! When I tried to load the video – it went to nowhereland – making the app hang. Recipe: close, open, try again, close, open, try again.. The layout is nice – but interactivity?!?! Clicked a link got to another page and there was no way back. Had no clue where I was within the magazine. Apart from other magazines, it did remember the last page I was on. Ouf!
Pop Sciences is overkilled – using navigational references that make no sense and being told to do this and that to find my way around is simply counter-intuitive. Is this to be an immersive experiment or should I get to read the content at some point? Was offered a full issue free – downloaded it and for the life of me, couldn’t find it. Where was the issue? It’s only when I hapchanced moving up the screen that a menu appeared. Oh and I was supposed to know that? Very pretty pictures though.
The Elements is baffling poo – look I can make objects spin? Where’s the beef (science)?
Facebook app is a joke and is the iPhone version (same size as on my iPhone). What???
NPR is brilliant! Careful to wanting to see it on the web, remember open Safari and you have to close, open again.
The London Times is excellent – granted you are reading a newspaper and accept it as that and willing to pay a monthly subscription.
Tried many differenet utilities with overall a high level of disappointment except perhaps for Dropbox. There were so many demands for login and password to just get them to work that I was turned off.
Oh and SDK platform and C++ to develop an app may be object oriented but its purpose has not been ported for full interactivity. Lots of experimental programming needs to happen. So nevermindus, the costs for developing will be prohibitive to most of the core community.
As for visiting Flash websites – better not get me started on this.. it’s a weird and bizarre of an experience especially if you either see garbage looking css link lists or the message “you need the Flash player to view this website” – only then, that it dawns on you.. Oh no had forgotten – iPad doesn’t support it.. Not good! Not good at all! It’s like the web has been hacked or robbed of one of its essential ingredient/component.
This is an over media sold green code (immature) technology underdelivering device whereas companies may scramble to be iPad ready – advanced users are left hanging in a back to 1995 all over again. Luv the concept and idea of what the future of publishing will be like but for now, will wait for the next generation (that is probably in the pipes as I write this).
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Additional suggested reading:
iPad Magazines: Don’t Believe the Hype by Peter Cashmore
“..The first generation of magazine apps on the iPad fall short: They’re an attempt to turn the clock back, rather than move the medium forward.”
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Digital Magazines Don’t Encourage Socializing by Nick Bilton
“But it’s missing one small thing: the Internet. Readers can’t copy and paste links or text, they can’t comment on interesting articles with other readers, and they can’t instantly post a comment to Twitter..”
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Too bad Apple announced WEEKS ago that the new iOS4 would be on ipad in the Fall.. guess you missed that.
Apps are getting better everyday. Do you think that developers are genetically programed to understand how the iPad, its users, navigation, and interactivity should operate? There is a learning curve for everyone in the development world.
Its sad when bloggers unintelligently bash a product and end it with “will wait for the next generation (that is probably in the pipes as I write this”.
It’s nice finally seeing someone actually provide a proper criticiscm on this device. I’ve only played with my house mate’s iPad. I’m glad he bought one, because I’m still not sold on it.
I’ve had some good time with a few of the apps (some of which I recommended to you, like The Elements). I still like that app. But it’s definitely not a beefy educational app. It’s more of a kids library science book.
I was beginning to feel weird being one of a very small group of people who are disappointed with the device.
Like you, I don’t even want to get started on the Flash issue. Or any plugin or 3rd party development tool. Perhaps I’ll wait until the technology has matured into a second or third generation.
Well, good you tried it out. That’s a bit more than I’m willing to do at the moment. I mean, what about a tablet computer requires that it be essentially nothing but an App Dispenser for Steve Jobs?
I look forward to a more open system. Someone’s bound to come up with one at some point. And the truth is, I’ve got the time to wait.
Yes I missed that Jason – nonetheless – it should have been included right off. I feel off-handed second best – when best will be available in the Fall. What was the rush to get the iPad on the market?!?! It’s not as if it was leaked to Engadget or something.
It seems that the “developers” who were involved in the making of currently available apps did not emulate the level of interactive standards that took so long to be put in place. You don’t switch off these – to make it on time for the launch.
Makes you wonder what took precedence: launch hooplah or user experience? So since I am part of the latter camp – I am returning the device.
> an App Dispenser for Steve Jobs?
Unimpressed here too (so far).
I don’t really see the point in apps that act like “digital magazines” for the iPad, if not to go back to a paid subscription/consumption system via the store.
Is this the plan for the future? Create digital devices that will make the net more and more like cable television?
iPad is a joke. Apple is just trying to build a larger cult empire. The media plugin fiasco is just a sham to get a higher user base for Apple, particularly their 4% world usage of Safari.
Before Apple or Job’s starts to criticize Adobe and all developers who do use Flash and many other online technologies without bias, they should accept the criticism we give them.
iPad is no where close to an open platform… don’t we HAVE to use Apple app kits? isn’t that a slap in the face for other devs who want a platform to program for with as much room as possible?
As a developer I say forget the iPad.. there are hundreds more devices that people have because of choice and not entrapment.
Sorry Apple but you are in the wrong. And don’t even get me started on them abandoning the factories they owned because of people killing themselves due to your shitty wages and conditions. To get up and leave without identifying the problem show your true colours…
I haven’t taken a pen, notebook, or single piece of paper to a meeting since i purchased my iPad. It has replaced my iphone secondary tasks and turned it back into what is was meant to be, a phone first.
There is so much animosity for the iPad in these comments.. what do you people want from this thing.. a loving relationship and a bj? It’s a new device its full potential is still being developed.
I know you all have iphones, love them, and feel ripped off that the iPad is so similar to a bigger iphone.
If the iPad came first, before the iPhone, would you still be hating on it & returning the device because it didn’t meet your expectations? I beg to differ.
Just because iOS4 is shipping to the iPad in the fall isn’t that big. Why didn’t they ship the device in the fall? More importantly why didn’t this device have the (stupidly named) Retina display. Resolution -wise the iPhone4 just made the iPad obsolete. It’s got similar resolutions now, it fits in my pocket, and I can call people from it.
@jason, I’ll wait for the next generation. Why? Well 1) the app developers are still catching up 2)the user interaction isn’t ready [that requires a few cycles of figuring out what works and what doesn't] 3) iPhone apps look absurd on the device. There’s a difference between unintelligently bashing a product and using a product and deciding it isn’t what the hype makes it out to be. (the prior definitely not being what Carole is doing). It’s quite obvious that there is a next generation in the works.
It’s sad when the device doesn’t live up to the hype. It’s even sadder when fanboys defend it with their life. I love Apple. I’ve used their products since before OS X. I’ll use their desktops and laptops until they stop making them. I’ll probably stick with the iPhone. I don’t want a casual computing device. I no longer sit at the computer for the sake of having fun. I use technology for work purposes. This device has a few novelties, but nothing I need. Well, I do need one of those felt cases from Hard Graft…
[...] Tweets that mention iPad no more featured by Netdiver Magazine — This post was mentioned on Twitter by Carole Guevin, Derek Kinsman, Angelito Kaczala, Tobias, Gary Stasiuk, Visual Duration, Rames, EstrategicaLUV, Bartosz Piekarniak Jack Hughes, designcrush72 and iPad Tweets. iPad Tweets said: RT @netdivermag iPad no more – and that is why.
.. “always nice to see an objective opinion when media hype gets out of control” .. [...]
It’s a game changing device, no doubt. And the fact that it is out there making a noise can only be good for web designers and developers, like myself, who are looking to convince clients of using more up to date methods and coding on projects (I’m thinking CSS3 and HTML5 here).
I feel the first proper iPhone will be version 4. It’s like the other versions were just beta tested on the Apple faithful in preparation for the launch of 4.
I think the same will happen with the iPad. Version 2 or 3 will be “the final product”.
Good for web designers? I couldn’t agree there, simply because quite often web designers need to browse other sites as well, situations like when client shows the site of their competitor or asking your feedback of their current site – what if those sites have flash and need the use of flash? iPad would be useless for that.
I’ve used that device, it’s nice really. If I was a rich dad, I wouldn’t mind buying it for my child to use it as it is really lovely with educational apps in there (love the Toy Story app!)
As for myself, I’m just not a person who brings a photo frame wherever I go. I don’t wish to lug a bag along, nor do I wish to get MiFi device along since the iPad could connect to the Internet without another party helping it. I still need to bring a phone since the iPad doesn’t have it. I can’t place it on the table to type. Handholding could be tiring.
In the end I stick to my Nokia N900.
I agree. The iPad is a useless sack of sh.. The iPhone actually provided something that the others didn’t – an interface that was more ‘usable’ than the competitors.
The iPad has nothing.
Anyone who rushed out to buy is a serious sad case. Get a life.
@URK, if the iPad came first I bet the interface would be a lot different. So you’ve found a purpose for your device great. Congratulations. What do I want from the device? Well for one, I wanted a magical and revolutionary new way of HCI. Which is what this device was promised to be. I want the iPhone apps removed from the iPad. The user interaction is completely different and doubling up the iPhone apps to fit the screen is horrible.
The iPhone and the iPad are not comparable devices. Sure they have a common OS and the same input mechanics. But the interaction is different. The usage is different. Apple screwed up on the HCI. They also screwed up when they gave devlopers a month to put something out for launch.
This should have been seeded to guys like Conde Nast or NPR and others to really have some time and play with it to get the app interactions right. Now developers are scrambling to get the best apps out. And none of them come near to what the hype is.
Good for web designers? I disagree (sorry for all the negativity, I’m really a fairly happy person). It’s just another device we need to test. It’s even more annoying that Mobile Safari/Webkit has rendering differences with Safari/Webkit. I build websites using the latest CSS + HTML. It has nothing to do with the output device. I also use Flash, or Silverlight, Java where needed.
I originally intended to buy an iPad as an eReader. I figure since all my music, audio books, etc, comes from iTunes why not my books? Well in Canada there’s no licensing for books, so we’re stuck with all the public domain titles. I’ve decided to get a Kobo eReader. It’s Canadian, has plenty of books, and can sync with iPhone/iPad/Blackberry/Android/etc.
Sorry Apple, Apple fanboys, you’re confusing novelty for revolutionary.
Sorry for the rant Carole.
Hahaha, totally saw this coming. I’ve tried using a Mac or any other Apple products and just find it irritating… and using a Mac for design work is worse than using Windows. I mean, it took long enough to come up with a right click.
Succinct pointers and how to from Sitepoint – Develop for iPad with HTML5: Trial and Error by Kevin Yank
http://twurl.cc/2zsf
“I haven’t taken a pen, notebook, or single piece of paper to a meeting since i purchased my iPad. It has replaced my iphone secondary tasks and turned it back into what is was meant to be, a phone first.”
+1
Well-well-well what do you know? Pete Cashmore (founder of Mashable) has this to say:
iPad Magazines: Don’t Believe the Hype.
“..The first generation of magazine apps on the iPad fall short: They’re an attempt to turn the clock back, rather than move the medium forward.”
Digital Magazines Don’t Encourage Socializing by Nick Bilton
“But it’s missing one small thing: the Internet. Readers can’t copy and paste links or text, they can’t comment on interesting articles with other readers, and they can’t instantly post a comment to Twitter..”
Just bought ours yesterday. Review at our blog coming soon. Perspective here is the key issue. Might I mention that the web and mosaic pretty much really sucked in the beginning. Lot’s of it still sucks.
Well said Stella! I’m getting excited by the such as the Flipboard app – but stand by my choice.. till next one.