Say hello to man’s next tiny step to the next generation. The Apple iPad!
Apple just recently released another of its wise creations on May 2010 (WiFi, Wifi + 3G models) created by Steve Jobs. The iPad or was originally called during its pre-release, iTablet. Consumers were rushing to their nearest Apple Store to get a glimpse of this technology that’s about 9.56” high and weighs 1.6 lbs which should respectably be described as “lightweight”. From what I’ve read from reviews and seen on YouTube, the buyers quite enjoyed the iPad, even letting their animals have a look at it and be its judge. Referred by Apple as “magical”, iPad is almost a complete ripoff of iPhone/iTouch and netbooks. iPad also has the same ability of an iPhone/iTouch, too: web browsing, MP4 player, MP3 Player, gaming. But one application lacks from the latter device compared to iPad; it’s the iBook.
iBook {iBookstore; available only in the US}
It’s just like reading a book which saves you from carrying a 3-pound one. Even when you flip the pages, it’s quite realistic and another of its feature is that you can get a glimpse of what’s on the next page. Want to skim/scan through pages? The iBook app actually has a navigator just below it that enables you to skip through numerous leafs to get where you wanna read. Plus, you can change the font and its size when you find it hard yourself to read the texts. And for more convenience on your part, iPad has a rotation function, so, you can read more comfortably.
Ooh! And before I forget, the application has several books already available {yes, FREE} in it.
Maps
Probably my fave app of the moment. This is powered by Google Maps, so, it obviously works the way GM works on the internet. Compared to iPhone/iTouch, iPad has a BIGGER screen, so, it’s much easier for you to clearly see the places and navigate the world at the touch of your hand. I tried searching for Iligan City and it’s just amazing, seeing your hometown in bird’s eye view with just a few touches.
Photos
Now, this is going to be time I’m going to say, “Thank God for iPad!” If you’re a photographer, you’re going to enjoy this one. Since the iPad obviously has a bigger screen, you will see a slideshow of your photos - it’s like looking at your portfolio on a mini-flatscreen TV. PLUS, if you’ve gone to a lot of places and have uploaded your photos into your iPad, you can actually see a map of where you took the picture. Apple really did a good job on this upgrade, though.
Videos
The fun part about this application is that it’s sort of turning into a portable DVD player viewer and the movie that you’ve downloaded actually shows options and menus similar to a DVD movie. You can skip from one chapter to another, too. Just like DVD.
iPad has dual speakers and if you look at YouTube videos of iPads taken by owners, it’s actually louder than iPhone/iTouch and you can actually do voice recording since the microphone is installed within the device.
Now, some people have been asking me whether iPad has a built-in camera. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have. Yeah, I know, bummer. One technology could never be close to perfect. If there will be, it won’t be any time soon.
Since iPad isn’t a replacement for a laptop nor a mobile phone, users/owners can actually make a call using it with Bluetooth headset and through 3G or WiFi. So, it’s more likely a home phone that you’re using the iPad for.
You know, as much as I would wish iPad to be very close to perfect, it just won’t simply happen. With this device, you can make calls, texts, play games, listen to music, watch TV and movies, navigate, surf the net, read books and use it as a digital frame… but, unfortunately, it doesn’t have a camera {it’s reasonable because looking at the size of the iPad, it’s not built for taking pictures}, and the applications are expensive. Last time I heard, iPad apps don’t come cheap. Last time I heard one app costs $49. Whew!
But then again, iPad is just another instrument for us to realize that humans are talented and are toiling and are on their way into creating something that will make our lives more convenient and less stressful. However, it doesn’t mean that now that technology has made people’s lives a lot easier and manageable, we’d give in to the fact that everything’s laid out in front of us. Take note that none of these would have been possible if not for hard work and dedication that the brains of the iPad and the Apple company have sacrificed for quite a long time already.
