Paul Inskip Photography

So the ipad has arrived. It’s arrived with the usual response of “meh”…”fail”….”what’s the point”…”OMG it doesn’t do XYZ”…etc etc…The same response we get every single time an Apple product is released.

To me the ipad did everything I expected and has achieved it with the usual mix of flair and created a product which I believe will go on to shape tablet devices to come. I’ve seen LOTS of comments about this being a glorified ipod touch (which it is) But that is its strength not a flaw or weakness. The iphone/ipod touch is fantastic for two main reason, they bring together a number of functions and they have been expanded to amazing capabilities because of the APPS you can add to it.

There are LOTS of games and lots of silly applications for both devices but there are also a huge number of fantastic programs that take these devices to new levels. What Apple has given us with the ipad is the next step, Apple has given the developers the ability to create applications and order of magnitude better than the ones on the iphone. The reason the Apps on the iphone work so well is because they are designed to utilise the iphones capabilities, when these applications that work so well on the iphone are re-written for the ipad the will have so much more scope and capabilities than the iphone versions we’ll start to look down on the lowly iphone apps! What I think comes next, over the 2 months before people actually start getting their hand on the ipad, is going to really propel the ipad, if developers jump on board, realise the potential and develop or re-develop their apps for the ipad then by the time it comes out it will have such momentum that we will quickly see a two tier apps development where people are making the most of both platforms.

Anyone who has an ipod touch or an iphone must have (like me every day) wished that they could do certain things on a larger screen, browsing on the iphone is great, for a few minutes when you have no other choice, but doing that on the ipad…looks like a dream! This will carry across to lots and lots of other apps, if not all of them once they are re-written to take advantage of the larger screen. Games will be bigger and better, utilities can do so much more with the extra power and the extra space. The ipad will really start to blur the line between apps on an iphone and applications on a mac, in many cases these new apps will become full applications. Lots of the complaints about the ipad revolve around what it lacks, but that’s always going to be the case, personally the only thing I think it lacks is multitasking…BUT ..I believe that we will see this at some point either later this year or in version2 …BUT…it will be apples take on multitasking, done in a way that suits the OS, not necessarily traditional multitasking because that would break the UI, it would break the flow and the whole principal of the devices.

The ipad will find a place in my hands as soon as I get a chance and for soooo many reasons: 1) browsing, mail, twitter
I can do all these on my macbook Pro and my iphone BUT I can do both of these quicker and easier using the ipad, just grab it and go. For me I really see the ipad replacing most of my iphone apps usage because it’ll be so much easier and more fun on the ipad.

2) Photography
mobile portfolio…Doesn’t really need an explanation! Having this sitting on the coffee table during viewings or meeting with customers and just handing it to them! Fantastic! The other side for photography is the implementation of Apps like DSLR remote and the great ability to act as a huge remote viewing and remote cameras tool. This is also the area that makes me wish I could develop for the ipad as there is so much scope thats been opened up now that we have broken out of the constraints of the small iphone screen. Being able to walk round events and show people the photos they had taken earlier, quickly and effortlessly.

A wedding package that the bride and groom get their photos pre-loaded onto an ipad. Maybe even loaning it out for them to choose their photos. The list and the ideas just go on and on here! 3) Work, utilities and more
Being able to hand the ipad to customers for them to fill out electronic forms, signup for offers at fairs, essentially fill my databases for me. Being able to use this as a fully fledged diary and calendar. To remotely log into my other machines to open files etc. So man applications for a device with the screen and power.
Being able to create and edit documents, so much faster and easier than on the iphone

4) The things yet to come!
This is where the ipad has so much left to give. When the iphone came out there were no apps and its apps that help change and shape the device. the ipad has this platform from the start so where it goes now I can’t even imagine at the moment. If I could buy an ipad today I would and whats more it would be in non-stop use at home and work immediately. It may be the master of none (seen it called that else where) BUT it will do so many things better, quicker and easier than both the iphone or a laptop that it will replace both these devices is lots of different situations.

With all the complainers I actually get a little excited because the more people dislike it and write it off the more it feels like I’ve been let into a special little Apple secret, the more it feels like this device has been designed to make MY life easier and better. Version 1 looks great and not only will I buy one but can’t wait for version 2, not to “FIX IT” but to give me even more opportunities and capabilities and scope to use this device. ipaul…ipad…igetit…iwantit

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