A few thoughts on the iPad By Devin Ramos

     After almost two years of anticipation (a decade for others) for the iPad, I have to say that I feel a bit foolish that I had raised my hopes this high for it. This isn't to say that I am not impressed by the nifty machine. I do I like to give credit where it's due, but I was really hoping for a tablet device straight from the movie "Minority Report". I have to point out here that Steve Jobs did say that this machine is supposed to fall somewhere in between the iPhone and a computer. However, it seems to be a larger version of the iPhone.

     Like many students, I am notorious for multitasking during assignments. I'm not only writing a report, but looking at databases for research and checking my facebook. All these things are occuring simultaneously on my laptop and I can easily navigate from one place to another. The iPad doesn't allow this and this is largely due to the iPad's operating system that doesn't allow multitasking to occur. Sure it saves battery, but the act of opening and closing is vintage now, especially for a person like myself that doesn't close anything on the computer.

     There is no camera on the iPad, which I think for something this size could be almost beneficial, but the use of video call is growing and I feel that its absence on the iPad will definitely make it obsolete in the near future. Steve Jobs also said that the starting price tag of $499 dollars is so that everyone could have a chance to own this piece of technology and it is very possible that the iPad's price tag reflects the lack of camera.

     As for internet connectivity, Apple is presenting all six models of the iPad with standard WiFi and the pricier of the six offer modestly priced 3g plans from AT&T ($15 dollars a month for a 250 mb data plans and $30 dollars for an unlimited plan). This is great. Really. However, 3g is almost an obsolete technology. There are already phone companies carrying 4g and because I would have assumed that Apple would have given AT&T the boot a long time ago. Forbes.com reports this as "the desire for both companies to preserve their alliance, AT&T's Wi-Fi assets" and for their "network readiness". This goes on to explain that, although Verizon is working on its 4g coverage it just flat out isn't ready. This means that by the time you or I get the iPad it may already be out of date.

     As I said before, I am impressed with the iPad. The nine-by-seven inch screen looks beautiful and its screen- which houses a touchscreen keyboard- will serve well to HD movies (District 9, anyone?) and growing use of eBooks. The fully functional use of every app in the iTunes appstore is really amazing as well seeing as how I cannot seem to get enough of Mika Mobile's Zombieville. However, I must say that I will not be purchasing one right away based on these highpoints. I like the idea of being able to carry all my school notes, novels and the ability to sit in traffic and watch this 

in its HD glory, but I really think Apple needs to get its ducks in order so that they can truly revolutionize and string together the little things perfectly. I suggest you do the same as I and wait.