(note - I'm guessing that I'm going to get hammered by some Apple fans here, but this is my honest opinion).
So, most who know me know I'm not a fan of Apple. I think they are the biggest monopoly in the world with their closed system and need to have everything through them. I hate iTunes. Some say that's a benefit. I also think that their products are over hyped and over priced for what they do. I've used many an iPhone and iPad in the past and been underwhelmed. I wonder if it's because I used a webOS phone (and still use a webOS tablet)? webOS is the slickest mobile OS in terms of user interface and multi-tasking. I also used a PDA and smart phone long before the iPhone came out, so it wasn't as big a thing to me.
Many people asked me if I owned an iPhone or iPad and I had not. I've used friends' iPhones or iPads a lot, but didn't own one. That recently changed, sort of. I was given a loaner iPad2 to review the PhotoShop Touch app (I do have to return it soon). I used the iPad for about 2 weeks straight to test it out also and came up with some thoughts and issues I list below. The funny thing is that I stopped using it after that and it has sat on my shelf for the last 3 weeks. I have no need or desire to use it.
For mobile use, I use my Android smartphone, an HTC Droid Incredible 2, most of the time and then use my TouchPad for some things. I also use my CR-48 Chromebook. At home I have a Dell Laptop and use an HP Desktop at school. I have yet to have an app I want that isn't available on either Android or as a web app.
Points of Contention:
- I was very underwhelmed by it. I really don't see what makes it so special. I have an HP TouchPad running webOS and find it much more useful, even with out having 3 gazillion apps. It multi-tasks like a champ with the card view, and I need that if I am using a tablet.
- I really don't like the keyboard. The letters stay capitals even when typing lower case and the number keys require a shift. On the TouchPad, the letters change to match the case you are typing and the number row is always visible.
- Lack of native Google apps is a major issue for someone like me. Even the TouchPad has more.
- Email is ok, but I don't like how it tries to put everything on one screen.
- Safari works well, but the tab close "x" is on the opposite side of the tab from every other browser out there. I also don't like that it doesn't resize pages to fit well.
- It was not as responsive or as fast as I thought it would be and there were only a couple of apps loaded on top of the factory setup.
- Very hard to find settings for many apps (where's the menu button?). Android and webOS have menu buttons for every app.
- Multi-tasking isn't. A double tap on button just brings you to a list of recently used apps like in Android. Both Apple and Android need to look at webOS cards for the way to truly multi-task.
- Lack of Flash is still an issue as I can't access some web sites I use in my Physics classes. Luckily, Discovery Education has an app so I can access their stuff.
- The button. I really miss the back button from Android and the back gesture from webOS. It makes things work so much better.
- Sharing features missing. Android has easy, one-click sharing from almost any app to almost any app. This is a very useful feature.
Positives:
- Hardware is solid and well built, as well as light
- Battery life is excellent
- Apps and UI are elegant, gorgeous to look at
- Apps - lots of them. Many companies make iOS apps 1st (and sometimes only for iOS)
- Easy to use (although not any easier than any other device I've used)
- Widely used in education, so lots of resources on using them available.
There was no "wow" for me like so many people get. Maybe I'm missing something? Maybe I just don't understand the whole obsession with Apple products?
Related:
Apple iPad - is it a game changer? (written Jan 2010 and updated Dec 2010)
Android Resources for Education - apps, tips, lesson ideas, reviews, and more
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