Well bless my soul and whiskers. This is the first time I’ve joined the congregation at the Church of Apple for a new product launch. I’ve watched all the past ones, downloaded the Quicktime movies and marvelled as Apple’s leader has stood before an ovating faithful and announced the switch to Intel, the birth of iPod, the miniMac, the iTunes Store, OS X, iPhoto, the swan’s neck iMac, the Shuffle, Apple retail stores, the iPhone, the titanium powerbook, Garageband, the App Store and so much more. But today I finally made it. I came to San Francisco for the launch of the iPad. Oh, happy man.
Today had special resonance. In front of his family, friends and close colleagues stood the man who founded Apple, was fired from Apple and came back to lead Apple to a greatness, reach and influence that no one on earth imagined. But a year ago, it is now clear, there was a very strong possibility that Steve Jobs would not live to see 2010 and the birth of his newest baby.
With revenues of 15.6 billion Apple is now the largest mobile device company in the world, Jobs told the subdued but excited six hundred packed into the Yerba Buena Cultural Center for the Arts Theatre this morning. A few more triumphant housekeeping notes followed and then we were into the meat of it. Well, the whole event is available to be watched online, you don’t need me to describe it. He picked up an iPad and walked us through. Afterwards I was allowed to play with one myself.
I know there will be many who have already taken one look and pronounced it to be nothing but a large iPhone and something of a disappointment. I have heard these voices before. In June 2007 when the iPhone was launched I collected a long list of “not impressed”, “meh”, “big deal”, “style over substance”, “it’s all hype”, “my HTC TyTN can do more”, “what a disappointment”, “majorly underwhelmed” and similar reactions. They can hug to themselves the excuse that the first release of iPhone was 2G, closed to developers and without GPS, cut and paste and many other features that have since been incorporated. Neither they, nor I, nor anyone, predicted the “game-changing” effect the phone would so rapidly have as it evolved into a 3G, third-party app rich, compass and GPS enabled market leader. Even if it had proved a commercial and business disaster instead of an astounding success, iPhone would remain the most significant release of its generation because of its effect on the smartphone habitat. Does anybody seriously believe that Android, Nokia, Samsung, Palm, BlackBerry and a dozen others would since have produced the product line they have without the 100,000 volt taser shot up the jacksie that the iPhone delivered to the entire market?
Nonetheless, even if they couldn’t see that THREE BILLION apps would be downloaded in 2 years (that’s half a million app downloads a day, give or take ) could they not see that this device was gorgeous, beautifully made, very powerful and capable of development into something extraordinary? I see those qualities in the iPad. Like the first iPhone, iPad 1.0 is a John the Baptist preparing the way of what is to come, but also like iPhone 1.0 (and Jokanaan himself too come to that) iPad 1.0 is still fantastic enough in its own right to be classed as a stunningly exciting object, one that you will want NOW and one that will not be matched this year by any company. In the future, when it has two cameras for fully featured video conferencing, GPS and who knows what else built in (1080 HD TV reception and recording and nano projection, for example) and when the iBook store has recorded its 100 millionth download and the thousands of accessories and peripherals that have invented uses for iPad that we simply can’t now imagine – when that has happened it will all have seemed so natural and inevitable that today’s nay-sayers and sceptics will have forgotten that they ever doubted its potential.
Is it just me or does Steve Jobs sound like Sylvester the Cat? iPod iPad iPuddy tat. @haydenblack
It was an amazing and exciting day today, Mr. Fry, what with the iPad launch and you being there! The launch was something most of us were waiting for, so your tweets, pics and now your blog are certainly a bonus! Nothing much to comment really!
Thank you for all the fun today! love and xoxo, KC.
I’ve seen a lot of mixed opinions about the iPad (and pretty much every woman I know has already made every menstrual product joke you can imagine about the name), but I think it looks like it will be amazing. I suspect I’ll hold out for a 2.0 version. I’ve never really been an early adopter for most tech, preferring to wait for somewhat expanded capabilities and fewer bugs with subsequent releases, but I can say that I’ve been mucking about with computers since 1979 and this looks big to me.
As always, everyone else’s mileage may vary.
ita been nice to also have a non biased opinion right after yours mr. fry…..in america we call that fair and balanced…;-)
Stephen, I think you miss the point of Google Voice’s speech-to-text transcription service. It doesn’t merely transcribe what was said, it instead transcribes what it thinks that you think they might have said. Had you had a tipple by that point in the day? If so, then there is your answer. And who’s to say that Natasha isn’t just a future (or past) sex-change operation away from being a Jeff?
Keith
I’ve been amazed by the amount of snark since this morning’s event. It’s almost as though people are being contrary because they think it’s the cool pose.
But even watching from the remove of following live-blogging at Macworld.com and video/photos elsewhere, I saw the potential in the iPad right away. I’ve got the Screenplay app and the WriteRoom app on my iPhone, and while I’ve used them to write scenes for play scripts or prose, the one thing I’ve wished is for a larger screen and a larger albeit virtual keyboard. And look, there it is. That alone is enough to sell me.
Thank you for posting about your experience. Thank you, too, for pointing out the wonder that comes from actually using the thing.
I have to admit to having mocked fanbois in the past, but I’m finding an increasing number of Apple devices around my home and about my person. My iPhone is still one of my favourite gadgets of all time. The Time Capsule is robust, easy-to-use and yes, pretty. At that price how could I not buy an iPad? There’s too much hype in the technology world, but just because Apple is a master of publicity doesn’t mean that it’s all hype. I question the motives of the people that are criticising out of hand (literally in many cases as they’ve never actually even seen one). There’s certainly an audience for that sort of opinion, and should it not change the world the joy of being able to tell everybody that you were right. Thanks for review Stephen, I can’t wait to get one myself and I hope I’ll enjoy it as much as you.
Whilst I’m glad to see the big push on tablets, I can’t help but think Apple have shot themselves in the foot slightly. It could have been running the mature OS X, but instead they turned it into a big iPhone. That in itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Even as someone who has never owned one, nor any intention to do so, the iPhone is an impressive beast.
But on a tablet form it has this utterly ridiculous limitation: No multi-tasking.
There are other large companies out there producing tablets and with tablets set for release this year, and they’re all capable of managing even the simple concept of multi-tasking. Heck it’s a technology idea that’s been around since the mid-80s. On a phone it’s little more than an annoyance. On a tablet device, no media streaming whilst reading a book, and any number of tasks we carry out simultaneously on our computers without being aware of it. iPad sales will help drive the market recognition generally in the product, I’m just not sure that they’ve made all the correct choices. Hopefully iPhone OS 4.0 will add in multi-tasking, at which point the iPad goes from being “meh” to a lot more competitive. (Would be great if they added SD card slots and/or USB slots, again like their competitors are all doing)
I still have my first generation iPod, the five gig firewire version that came out in 2000. It still works, thanks as does my first generation iPhone. The pundits were wrong about both.
I know that the iPad is mostly about games, and video. I’m excited about iBooks. I’m hoping maybe it will be possible to create media-rich interactive books like Voyager did with HyperCard and Douglas Adams’/Mark Carwadine’s Last Chance to See, and Shakespeare’s MacBeth.
I’m really excited about the possibilities the iPad offers.
OMG! This is fan-tastic and is (apparently) exactly what I have been waiting for even before I knew that I was waiting for it! Ha!
I am so excited and I am already standing in a que [up in my mind that is!] ….getting ready to OWN one of these incredible ipads!
I can’t thank you enough for bringing this data to us via your blog and thank you for a fascinating introduction to one classy and intelligent creation by Apple!
Regards
nahatsu
I just hope enough people pick it up and experience it first hand to bring it to iPad 2.0. We all saw what happened with the iPhone and are waiting to see what happens next; but if everyone does that there may not be a next.
p.s.
I had a great laugh when I saw the off the wall Google transcription too..
OMGGGG!!! HAHA!
I totally and completely and utterly agree with all of that!! So there!But no-one listens to me so I’m glad you’ve said it.
Dear Stephen,
This page doesn’t seem to have rendered properly. The snap of journos is actually missing.
Other wise this was the post that I was looking forward to. My sentiments exactly. The potential of what we saw today at Apple has fascinated me beyond doubt. And I can only imagine what all can be done with it. iPad has not been designed to replace a phone or a laptop. It should be taken as it is. It’s a state of art with technology so cool that it’s magic !
You’ve been wonderful in describing your experience very well.
Thanking You.
Richa
Thank-you, Stephen.
This may be the only write-up with regard to the iPad that has been the least bit sensible.
Google missed a trick there, of course.
Surely “Enjoy the loans” would have been better as “Enjoy the loins”. Not to mind.
Couple of points Stephen.
Firstly, we can all only review and talk about what we see. So don’t ask us to judge this product on what version 2 or 3 MAY be like. This is what Apple have chosen to release after years of development, and this is what we will talk about and judge.
And secondly, I really don’t think that the iPad will change this market like the iPod or iPhone did. The whole ‘tablet’ market is in it’s early phase and I think that Apple have shot their load too early. They have the money and patience to have waited and developed some truly groundbreaking technology. (Colour e-ink on rollable or foldable displays is what I’m waiting for)
Having said that, if anyone would like to GIVE me one I’m sure I’d love it. I just can’t justify (or in fact afford) buying one ….
Thank you for sharing your experience with the device and some rational thought on the subject – both seem to be in short supply on this particular subject.
Alright ~ your enthusiasm and user friendly review of the iPad has me interested! I am a ‘Applephobe’long steeped in Microsoft products so this would be a ginormous step for me to pruchase and indulge in!
A few questions, can the screen be magnified, support text to speech software like naturalReader? As it is so slim and lightweight, is it easily dropped?
It is in your hands now!
I will buy my iPad – later in life. It’s on my agenda, with the iPhone and all the other wonderful gizmos from Apple.
Funny transcription from Google; you should read how they translate English into Icelandic! It’s like Douglas Adams has gotten into their tubes and is still having fun!
iPad will probably be the first Apple product that I will buy. Was thinking about another ASUS netbook – but not now. I like to have a device between my phone and Laptop/PC Towers. Looks like the iPad wins.
Brilliantly put by Mr. Fry. I think people who are saying that “It’s a big iphone” don’t seem to realize that those big iPhones are what the characters carry around on Star Trek, so we didn’t imagine ourselves having something like the iPad for another three hundred years or so, and now it seems we get to skip that awkward (and bulky) tricorder phase altogether. Absolutely agree with the point that the iPad is the future, even if iPad 1.0 isn’t an immediate hit.
It looks like a really fun product, and at that price point they are certainly looking to have is become a very widely used product as well. Sounds like they are going for the strategy the video game industry uses, the real profit comes from apps and not the hardware sales.
Anyway, I’d love to get one, but whether or not I would get full use out of it depends on whether they, or someone, makes a usb-rechargable full sized keyboard for it. Netbook sized keyboards make my wrists hurt just thinking about them. Then again, my iPhone’s virtual keyboard is very easy to type on and is much easier on my wrists than my old phone. So, maybe I am speaking too soon.
If this blog entry is a prelude to the book at hand, then expectations are high indeed. Thoroughly enjoyed your iPad launch story, thank you!
But why, Mr Fry, were you there in the first place? It was a meeja event, not a celeb-fest. Did Apple pay your way? I think we should be told.
Ah Stephen
I have not doubt you’re right on most points. But why the lack of web cam, USB and SD card slot? Why no support for open (HTML5) audio/video codecs?
Sure it’ll be a success – with all the hype and celebrity support it cannot fail, It sure looks a seriously lovely piece of hardware, just like the iPhone feels in your hand but that lock-in is starting to grate. At least Microsoft only controlled the software.
Will other manufacturers please step up to the mark. Apple has now announced a new market segment, therefore it must exist, so c’mon, give us an open version of the iPad, with standard connections so we all can play outside the great wall of Cupertino.
As always, it’s exceedingly difficult to argue with an Apple fanatic but I’ll have a bash.
The core of the argument here seems to be “it’s admittedly a weak first effort at a tablet but Apple’s products often are weak at the beginning and then they get better. Ergo this will one day be fab.”
Flawed logic I’m afraid. The naysayers are still waiting for the Apple TV to become all that His Jobsness promised. Steve was also “very excited” about the “magical” Motorola ROKR.
There has to be more to the argument than “Apple made it so it will turn out to be revolutionary, magical, ground-breaking, and delicious”.
See? This is what I needed to hear. Exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t. Before we know it, everyone will wish for one.
Love,
@Mxdp
All fairly reasonable comments. Personally I am a lot more skeptical. Maybe not about the potential sales, they will be huge surely, but about the failure to deliver more.
To my mind, aside from the new processor, nothing here is new. Technologically speaking it really is just a big iPod Touch.
I also don’t really buy the argument that it’s just the first version – it’s really more like the third or fouth version – the technology has just grown out of the iPhone and iPod Touch. The larger capacitive screen and new processor are genuinely new, but the rest all seems to be reiterations of existing tech.
For a few years in the late 80s I was a happy Mac owner by proxy (my stepdad). As a student I couldn’t afford it and had to settle for cheap PCs and I’ve stayed that way since, although I look longingly at my friends power macs and iphones. I have strong feelings for Open Source as you do, but I don’t think this cancels out appreciation for good technological products obviously made by people ith a passion and a vision. We need both, and brand is what made Apple survive the 90s.
Until now I have been content to waut for Apple’s innovations to trickle down the food chain into cheaper and sometimes more developed products by other companies, relaising this would never have been without Apple in the first place. But I admit the iPad makes my fingers itch. Yes, it’s not quite there yet, yes it needs more development, yes it is probably not necessary in my life. But I want it – so help me I want it!
And I agree, it’s pathetic the way the pundits think being deprecating makes them cool, It doesn’t.
On the minus side, the books appear to be right-justified. I hope that can be turned off, unless the text is set and hyphenated with the rigour of a human typographer.
On the plus side: the iPad runs Keynote and Pages, so impressive presentations and documents can be created on the move, on something a sixth of the weight of a laptop. Incredible!
I’m also looking forward to seeing GeoDefense and Blue Defense on that big screen.
“In the future, when it …”
See? This is why I’ve never taken the iPhone seriously, and can’t take this device seriously.
Apple’s been so much better about making their computer devices complete from conception – revisions have been incremental upgrades, not such massive shifts that early adopters are unduly punished. (Does anyone still have the original iPhone, glorious as it might have been at the time? No! Because it was crippled in comparison to the 3G model – hell, compared to the iPod touch! – much less the current iteration.)
And I still can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on an iPhone because I know – I _know_ – Apple will make it completely obsolete within a year.
And for a device so geared toward things like reading and watching films, I don’t care – and am frankly wary – of how I’ll feel after a _mere_ five minutes with this, as you rightly suggest people do before judging it. I want to know how much of a headache I’ll have after staring at a backlit screen for 10 hours, and how hot it gets an hour into a HD film, and if it causes cramps after holding it one-handed for 10 minutes, and if the battery will still hold that 10-hour charge after six months of heavy intermittent use.
Yes, I can clearly see the _potential_ of this device. But that doesn’t make me want _this iteration_ of it – indeed, its glaring shortcomings makes me as wary, if not moreso, as I was about the iPhone becoming a mockable waste of money in less than a year, as will the next one, and as will the next one.
At least a MacBook is still a MacBook after two or three years. This is going to be a collectible before the year is out – not because it fails, but because Apple shoves you into buying the iPad GS, coming this Christmas with multitasking and GPS muffin finder and so on.
My feeling about the iPad is that it will be like one of the kitchen gadgets that you buy having tried once thinking you will use it all the time only for it to end up gathering dust in the cupboard along with its kin.
And frankly, Steven, I’m mostly just bitter that Apple tacitly admitted that there was zero reason why the iPhone couldn’t support a Bluetooth keyboard from day one.
I sadly am one of those who expect this latest offering to fail, assuming of course that people get over the Apple hype and common sense prevails. As for the admittedly funny transcript, I’m guessing Google have a long way to go before they make it “accent proof”
Don’t worry about being locked into Apple for apps How long before it is Jailbroken just like the iphone.
I am just sad that it will be such a long time before we can buy one here in Oz
Assisted GPS is included in the Wi-Fi + 3G versions of the iPad according to the latest tech specs published here:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
I’ve a bit of a love/hate relationship with Apple. Love in that my first PROPER computer was an Apple II that my Dad brought home from work, resplendent with a green monitor with wonky cable and TWO 5.25″ disk drives. Up until that point I had been using a ZX81 and Amstrad CPC464, two British inventions which were good, but was never quite up there with Apple.
Time went on and I found myself going with an Amstrad PC, DOS, Windows, etc. until I then started working for a film and TV post-production company and a a producer gave me her Macbook Pro to look at (as it was having issues with firewire). I fell in love with OS X and that it made things so much easier, yet still power enough for my geeky heart to tinker away at. Up until that point, my experiences with Macs were hate-hate. Tried to use them for programming at university and they would fall over every 20 minutes. One had to save work every two minutes in case System 6 (or 7) went titsup.com.
Since 2005, I’ve personally used Macbook, Macbook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Mini, Macbook Pro, Macbook and have loved them all. Apple has been naughty by jumping into bed with the more militant entertainment companies who insist on DRM, but this was the ONLY way to provide the kind of “freedom” (of sorts) to get them to release everything digitally. Apple, to their credit, have now turned their iTunes music store into a DRM haven. TV Shows and Films are still protected, but again, nowt much can be done about that until pressure is put on the companies providing the content. It’s not Apple’s fault.
My only real complaint about Apple now is that they need a better chain for fixing problems – I’d like to see them offer in-home visits for parts replacements on all their lines, rather than trudging to an Apple Store or sending off the unit to repair. Currently only Dell have exceeded my expectation on the warranty front.
As for Google Voice, as an owner of the Nexus One phone (which I love dearly), it’s provided hours of entertainment for my wife and I as we try different phrases and words to see what the Voice Input returns. It refers to my hometown as a form of self-sexual pleasuring and one of my suppliers as a house of ill repute. But when it gets it right, it’s incredible. When it gets it wrong, it’s bloody marvellous none the less.
Love the look of it, but will wait for a Droid or ChromeOS equivalent.
I think its clear that its an extremely nice piece of technology, if money were no issue I’m sure everyone would rush out and buy one.
Equally I don’t think anyone ‘needs’ this iPad in the same way they ‘need’ a TV, laptop or mobile phone.
Excellent post,thanks
The lack of camera in the iPad could actually work as an advantage. Some government departments and major institutions do not allow cameras. Also, the lack of camera could be a benefit for educational institutions.
As for the iBookstore, I hope the pricing of the books will be reasonable. The publishing houses better not start behaving like children as the music/TV industry do. Currently the Booker prize winner from Waterstones “Wolf Hall” pricing is: Paperback ÂŁ5.39 (RRP ÂŁ8.99), Hardback ÂŁ11.39 (RRP ÂŁ18.99), eBook ÂŁ12.50 (RRP ÂŁ17.85).
@cdeaker
I’m getting rather curious now. I’m no technology freak but I would like to hold that iPad and have a look at it. Brilliant blog Stephen, thank you. x
I’m sure someone’s already pointed out that Nokia was putting out smartphones with much the same features – including GPS and map applications, latest connectivity protocols, third party app compatibility, high quality browser, inbuilt email app etc – long before iPhone came out… Apple is just remarkably good at making a big splash. It’s true Nokia smartphones were not terribly well compatible with Macs, though that was partly Apple’s own plan (for example, the first Nokia PC Suite software WAS Mac compatible, and Apple asked Nokia to take that feature out). Not that I’m entirely a pro-Nokia/anti-Mac girl. Just saying they were there first; touch screens were available in the Nokia Internet tablets before iPhone, too, even if they weren’t on Nokia mobiles.
I use PCs because they’re cheaper and can do everything a Mac can do just as well, but I’d kind of love to have a Mac too, if only because they are extraordinarily pretty. However I’m told that getting a fifth computer would be going too far (even if out of the current four, one is dying, one is a netbook and one is actually my partner’s). I just don’t worship at the Church of Apple, and so don’t feel inclined to cough out the extra dough.
As for iPad itself? Give it a good paint application and, if it has an sensitive enough touchscreen, it looks like it could make an excellent digital sketching pad. Now there’s something I could use, something that I’ve actually been fantasizing about – a standalone digital paint tablet, so one wouldn’t have to take both the tablet and a laptop along for outdoors digital sketching. (I used to fantasize about an affordable lightweight mini-computer, and now me and my little Acer Aspire One 160 GB are very happy together.)
As for its advantage over N900 for example (latest Nokia Internet tablet) there is the size – but then it could be considered a disadvantage too. There’s Mac compatibility, and potentially a much larger amount of apps. Third party apps for N900 are available, to be sure (at maemo.org), but the Church of Apple is larger and so I expect there would also be more apps available, too. I wonder how they would compare when it comes to screen sensitivity? (Still thinking about that paint application…)
Great write up Stephen. It is a game changer and the iPad will only get better.
@GreyCells:
USB and SD for cameras is provided through a dock connector addon, not included but still possible. There is no way that apple would consider using ogg theora. All the big boys (Google, Apple) are supporting H.264 instead of the problems that would come with theora (it is hard to know if theora is infringing if it hasn’t been patented itself). Not to mention that Apple loves H.264 and it is likely hardware accelerated on the iPad. Fair points on the cameras but how else could apple sell version 2?
@obo
Products are obsolete when you think they are. Many people are still happy with older phones and devices if they do the jobs that they want to. The 3G was a big step up from the original iPhone (GPS being incredibly important), I can’t really see where Apple is going from here with the next iteration, but I doubt it will make the 3GS obsolete. If you can’t bear this, just wait until the new one is out and consider it then.
@stephenfry
I believe you made a mistake in stating the iPad doesn’t have GPS, it does in both Wifi only and 3G models: http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
There was a lot of confusion about this on the web, but it seems to be confirmed.
The iPad launch isn’t finished yet. Yesterday was just announcing the hardware. The iPhone OS 4.0, traditionally in early March, which will also power the iPad will be the perfect PR final push as to what the device will be able to achieve through software. I expect it to cover a number of issues such as multitasking. Also I think we’ll have an upgraded MobileMe package that will hold all your data ‘in the cloud’ that means your PC (mac or win) will be able to share your info with your mobile devices. Currently it’s a bit tricky to sync your data remotely between two devices, I see MobileMe to be the perfect ‘glue’ that enables you to update your todo list and then syncs with everything else on the fly.
Just my caffeinated thoughts…
Thanks for your insight Stephen, can’t wait to get my hands on one.
I’m doing my best to not appear to be an arse. Apologies if I haven’t, er, pulled it off. No offence intended, and so forth & so on.
Hello, Stephen. I’m disappointed that you appear to only be interested in the product’s superficial form: what features it does and doesn’t have, the aesthetics of the design, et cetera. There are more important principles: freedom.
You said:
“Yes, I do like and have tried to champion OpenSource software. How can I square that with my love of Apple? I’m complicated. I’m a human being.”
It may sound pedantic to point out that the Free Software Foundation has nothing to do with “open source”, and everything to do with Free software (and freedom generally), but actually that’s the whole crux of the matter. For me, and the rest of us swivel-eyed loonies in the FSF / GNU camp, the issue of Freedom /trumps everything else/. For us, — I apologise in advance for the the metaphor, but it fits — the most sexy product in the world is equivalent to Mussolini making the trains run on time if it doesn’t have that basic, fundamental and essential aspect of not restricting it’s users freedom. If there are more important principles to use when selecting the government, then surely it is at least AS important to use those same principles in talking about / using computers.
Sadly, I recognise I’m in a tiny minority on this. We have got to start doing a better job of pointing out to people how computers seem to be evolving towards providing more and more gilding on the bars of these proprietary, closed, prison cells.
For those wondering what on earth I’m on about
, there’s a pretty good article on El Reg that hints at it:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/27/defective_by_design/
Stephen’s own video for the FSF does talk about the essentialness of freedom in computing:
http://www.gnu.org/fry/
The FSF also have a page just on the “iBad” (d’you see it? clever wording, huh?)
Well, never mind: we will keep on banging away about this stuff. Hopefully at some stage people will start to realise that they don’t really own the things they think they own.
Re-reading my just-posted comment and rolling my eyes at the grammatical howlers, I see I also missed the “iBad” link:
http://www.fsf.org/news/ibad_launch
I am disappointed. The iPad looks just as good as we hoped it would be, but as a long-term Mac user I have a lot of ‘heritage’ stuff around (going back to an Apple II) and as a Retired Person of Advancing Years I can’t afford to replace my desktops and laptop. Yet the iPad will only sync with OS 10.5 – making it inaccessible to those of us with pre-Intel Macs. I can’t be the only one…