Apple Inc released it’s iPad just over six weeks ago. It’s estimated that they sold over one million pads in the first month. It took nearly three times as long for the iPhone to reach that milestone. Only the most diehard Apple-haters would say this wasn’t an incredibly successful launch.
Most professional reviews were generally positive but I wanted to hear from some real users. I would have loved to get my hands on one myself, but I currently live in Thailand and Apple has yet to release the iPad here. Since I won’t be back in the States until September, I had to interview some people from back home.
I initially talked with several friends on a causal basis about the iPad. All of those conversations, with the actual purchaser, were totally positive if not raving. Talking to the spouses of those purchasers did not give the same response. I knew I would have to formalize some interviews to get a more accurate and non-emotional biased view. I also thought I would wait a month or so to let the “newness” of the device to wear off.
I chose three people to interview.
Steven G. Willett, a high-end IT professional. Steve has pioneered using mash-up technology in the defense industry. Steve has been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal and is quoted in the book “Mash-ups for Dummies”. He was also selected as one of the top 100 Federal Employees in 2008.
Bill Graff, my father and a rather sophisticated end user for his age group of 70 plus. Bill formally published the Washington Business Review. He has been using PCs since the very beginning.
Lastly I talked with Lena Graff, my sister-in-law and holder of one of the most important jobs in the world to me—mother to my nephew! I chose these three not only because I know them well but also because they are three very different kinds of computer users. All three purchased within a day of the iPad release—so have had a similar amount of time using it.
My first question asked about what was their biggest positive surprise, as in what is the one, two or three things you really like about the iPad you didn’t expect. All three remarked about the stunning display watching videos and movies. Steve and Bill were impressed with the amount of free books available. Both Steve and Lena mentioned a longer battery life than expected.
Bill was also really impressed with boot-up speed. He said his Windows notebook takes four minutes to boot but the iPad is up in seconds. In all fairness I want to mention that this is really due to the device being “always on”. The iPad is designed to be used this way where Windows is designed to be shut down regularly. He also liked the small size and discovered it even fit in an inside pocket on his jacket.
Next I asked about the biggest negative surprise. Steve had file management issues. “They sell iWork for the iPad, and it works great—fully featured etc. But the process to get files to the device is a nightmare.”
Lena was really disappointed that there was no iPhoto on the iPad. She still has to use her Macbook to manage her photo galleries.
Bill didn’t like that no note-taking ability was available for the eBooks. He also said the video wasn’t “rock solid” though I suspect that’s an Internet or provider side problem as opposed to one with the iPad. Bill also strongly disliked the spreadsheet in iWork. He’s hoping Microsoft Office or OpenOffice will be ported to the iPad.
When asked about e-books Bill said “I couldn’t read a book on my iPhone but I can with the iPad. For a novel, the iPad is better than a book. For professional type book, it’s not as good—no note taking ability yet, no comments with bookmarks.” He did mention liking the ability to adjust text size and screen contrast. When asked about periodicals he was positive enough to responded, “It’s the death-knell for newspapers and magazines.”
Lena has been reading the Twilight series on her iPad. She gave me my biggest surprised during these interviews when she said, “Reading a book on the iPad is better than reading one on my husbands Kindle.” I was surprised because though I am sure the iPad is a viable platform for reading books, I would have guess the Kindle’s e-paper technology would be better for reading. I will be doing an article on display technologies and tablet computers in the coming weeks. We’ll examine this issue more closely then.
Steve hadn’t read a book on his iPad though his daughter apparently enjoyed the included Winnie-The-Pooh book.
I am nearing my word limit so am forced to cut this article into two parts. Check back Wednesday for Part II.
Joseph A Graff
Technology Consultant
