After following the pre-release hype so diligently, I missed out on a post-release review cum look at what Apple came up with. Internet is full of detailed reviews, so I am going to write only what struck me immediately on the launch. A bit late but here it goes-
For me, it is a killer for two markets: a nuclear for netbooks and a potential bomb for Kindle and other ebook readers (although some Kindle enthusiasts are vehemently denying this). Rest, somewhat disappointingly it does a little better than being a giant iTouch. I was expecting a laptop feel but without a full blown OS and no multi-tasking, it is hard to see it replacing laptops anytime soon. Everything being app based worked fine on a smaller device such as Touch and Phone but if I am carrying a 10″ bulk, I want it to have full word processing power, cam, chat clients etc etc. I just don’t like the iPhone OS being used on iPad. In its current form, it doesn’t fulfill the needs of either students or business people. Plus, those already possessing iPhones and iTouch will wait yet.
Where it wins you is the amazing user feel with full screen smooth photo effects, awesome book case look etc etc. In fact on the 10″ screen, you really see how magical the multitouch tap and pinch and zoom concept is. Lightning wake up time and more than expected battery life for such a powerful device in addition to sweet pricing deal will get a lot of first version buyers. Now, about the ebook part, the price kills Kindle but not the functionality. I have used Kindle and its screen and battery life are outright a winner but do I want that for 249 as opposed to getting a gaming machine + fast browser + music box + blah blah in 500? No. Although iPad will never be as good a book reader (lcd screen + lesser battery), price of Kindle is no more justifiable esp if iPad can provide huge collection of ebooks at comparative prices (that I leave to Steve Job’s amazing marketing capabilities). So, I did not buy my Kindle but neither am I buying iPad right now.
But I know the next version for iPad is going to be ground breaking once it has solved multitasking, better app buying and sharing mechanism, probably flash alternative, bigger ebook collection, digital subscriptions, camera and so on. And even a extensible dock for drives etc. Oh, and thank you Mr. Jobs for realistic pricing. I guess you learned your lessons from MacAir.
Lastly, I want a real tablet so that I can have a digital pen to draw with and directly scan my sketches etc, I cant do it with my fingers!