Update: Also, no camera and no Adobe Flash = NOT GOOD. This would be a GREAT device for Hulu or video chat…guess that won’t be happening.
First, you know I am a Linux/OpenSource advocate, user, and fan. That said, I have no small amount of respect for the design aesthetic and usability leaps that Apple often makes with its products. I am trying the watch the live stream of the announcement, but it’s buggy…I think because it’s being hammered so hard by the geeks of the world right now. Anyway, so here’s a few thoughts I’m having as I watch this thing:
- The name: iPad. Really? Sounds a lot like the iPod, only not nearly as cool. I was partial to the “iSlate” rumor myself.
- This is basically just a huge iPod touch.
- Since Apple sets trends, I am excited about the movement toward an all-purpose, touch-screen, always-connected device.
- The iBooks application will complete what Amazon started with the publishing industry in terms of making most books (if not all) available digitally. This is great.
- You’re reading on a light-emitting screen though…not sure how that plays out in the long run compared to e-Ink.
- Haven’t really seen text-input demonstrated yet…how is this going work? Since it is a capacitative touch screen, how can artists accomplish detailed work without a stylus?
- They are really pimping games. This is interesting to because I wouldn’t really see this as a gaming device. But whatever.
- Okay here we go with the iWork demo. Let’s see some text-input! No, still no demo. I think this is where the device could sink or swim.
I am not sure what this means for Linux/OSS, but I am sure Google will be adapting Android into something like this soon. Looking forward to seeing the open source community respond with hardware and software.
