“What the iPad can do is offer simplicity, not just ease-of-use, but ‘simplicity,'” Copeland writes. “Most people don’t get it and here’s why.”
“Being directly involved in the tech industry for over 25 years, I know what a computer can and cannot do. I know what I want a simple computing device to do for me. But I am a techie. I tinker, I play, I tweak… 95% or more of the population doesn’t (that percentage could be higher). They don’t care,” Copeland writes. “They want something that gets the job done and done fast (gets to the point) without having to learn for weeks or months before using the device.”
“We wouldn’t tolerate having to put the spark plugs in or tuning the car every time we go to the store to get eggs or milk. So why would we, on a computer, to just check our email? Think about what you had to learn to do that. (If you are a tech reading that last sentence, chances are you can’t think back that far (even if it was last year); you have forgotten. You are a nerd, like me. It’s in your DNA to forget back that far,” Copeland writes. “The rest of the population do remember the hassle of learning and being frustrated because they are still there.”
Copeland writes, “So, 95% of the population are not nerds or techs. They are everyday people like your brother, sister, mom or neighbour. They see the computer as one thing: an appliance to get a task done and most of their tasks consist of doing the following six things:”
1) Browsing
2) Searching
3) Email
4) Facebook / Twitter / Chat
5) Photos, video, music, media
6) Playing games
“They (this 95%+ of the population) really were never interested in anything more about what a computer can do. They want to do those 6 things the majority of the time,” Copeland writes. “So, imagine something that will do all those things (plus way more for the rest of us) without having to ‘learn’ how to use it. [Where] pressing a button where it turns on instantly (this is the ‘New Booting’); where the five things that are most wanted by most people can be seen on the screen; whereby touching the picture of one of those 5 things causes it to show up instantly?”
iPad “will revolutionize everyday computer use, and then some,” Copeland writes. “However, I believe there are 3 things missing, in these 3 areas: short term, 6-18 months; mid term, 3-5 years; and long term, 5-10 years. They are the following:”
• Short term: A Webcam
• Mid term: Allow the iPad to fold in half
• Long term: Voice recognition
Full article here.
Dragons voice recognition Appsare now available and awesome:
Dragon search and Dragon dictate.
Webcam will come when technical challenges are worked out ( just like multitasking)
As to folding iPad in half, ( huh??) wait till there’s enough condiments to make an edible iPad sandwich.
The only reason that the iPad doesn’t have a camera yet, is because of lack of bandwidth to support video chatting that the iPad begs to offer. 2nd Generation though, much more likely.
The computer is finally an appliance, just like he said. It has crossed an enormous threshold.
You know I believe that unless one can hold the pad really still and keep it pointed at ones face really well that it will just be a jittery mess to use a built in camera. Maybe a rotating camera that can lock onto your face to keep it relatively steady.
Web cam on the front of a moving device is not the best idea. I use to have a Sony Erricson phone with a cam on front and back, using the cam on the front to video was nuts. Couldn’t keep it still to have an ok video. Apple must be working on software to fix this. It will come, when it’s ready.
Sounds like people just love to bitch. What do these people say about their wives?
I started reading this site looking for more information about the Ipad. I have never seen more propaganda and downright shallow self confirmation as I have seen by contributors here. Maybe I don’t get it and this is a ‘fan’ site but what purpose is there is just making each other feel good about a product. The Ipad is a product not a religion. And what is all the Microsoft hate? At the end of the day all these Company’s profit a great deal from all this crap and couldn’t care less about any mindless affection.
I’ve never had to tune up my car just to get email.
Maybe it’s because people like me that have to suffer with Windows XP at work, and bang our heads against the wall for days with all the ridiculous problems Microsoft throws at us. Then, when a new product comes out like the iPad (and other Apple products) which work with no problems, we are totally relieved to be able to use it without going through tons of frustration which make our lives easier and more fulfilling.
For instance, trying to replace a computer yesterday at work which runs XP and operates a $250,000 CNC machine, and having all sorts of problems because of the OS and the application software running under it, and not be able to resolve it and have it run without having to spend days trying work-arounds.
Get it????
I’m not “married” to Apple, or any other company. I like things to “work” without having to spend an extraordinary amount of time “fixing” it.
Printing is more important than any of those things.
A great article that well articulates why many tech journalists, in particular the alpha geeks, do not understand Apple’s intentions with the iPad (besides making A LOT of $$$, of course).
Good insight. I’ve been in tech for years and we often forget that users don’t care at all about the computer or the OS… rather they just want to do certain things. The fact that the OS disappears (in the user’s mind) is a very good thing. If we can’t make tech very simple for the user, that’s on us… or in most cases on MS.
And for the trolls who “just found” this site… yes, this is a fan site. It’s called MacDailyNews.
If you don’t want to be in love with inanimate objects and the company that makes them… that is your loss.. just don’t judge those of us whose lives have been changed for the better because of Apple!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
@ Carbonodd
Well said. These mindless, smug and pretentious MAC cultists just to waste money on toys with a shiny, fruity label. What the hell can you do with an iPad that you can’t with a Windows tablet made 5 years ago? Nothing! Besides, computers are just tools to get a job done. It doesn’t matter what you use.
You and I both know the unwarranted Microsoft hate is a sure sign of fear and insecurity—especially with the magnificent and customer-friendly product Microsoft offers, past, present and future. I disagree however with your comments regarding companies lack of concern for “mindless affection.” Microsoft cares a great deal about end user experience, especially with Windows enthusiasts like us and the IT staff where I work.
Welcome and keep posting!
Your potential. Our passion.™
@ Figurative;
Much like I haven’t stored data on a floppy since 1999, I haven’t sent data to a dead tree in perhaps… years?
If you were to add a dozen more items to the list above, for me, printing wouldn’t have made it.
If not for Apple, PC guys like Dell would be trying to build a tablet with a green screen running DOS. It’ll weigh 22 pounds as they would be equipped with things like floppy drives, serial printer ports, zip drives etc. and to drive everything it’ll have 25 minutes of battery life.
But PC nerds would be very happy because (unlike an entity like Apple being ‘uncompetitive’ by ‘killing’ things like flash) the tablets would keep DOS programmers, floppy drive makers etc prosperous.
The PC tablet would be such a wonderful device. Just learn command line DOS.
Folding iPad?
I’d like a roll-up version – just a few short years down the line.
@Carbonodd
You are correct–this IS a fan site, and as such, you will always find a glowing review and incredible support of absolutely every Apple product, including some that might not really deserve it, somewhere from someone in these posts. (After all, fans are writing these posts.)
However, the fans posting here aren’t convincing each other, or themselves, into liking products that they otherwise wouldn’t, nor are they trying to promote Apple just for the sake of promoting Apple. No one here is self-deluded. No one here is in a cult. The enthusiasm for Apple products is very genuine. The fans have come to expect an excellent user experience from every Apple product simply because that is what they have experienced time and again with practically every one they have owned in the past.
Macs (and other Apple products) really do work just like the fans want them to, and they can’t help but share their enthusiasm online.
This guy’s article sounds almost identical to the 5 points made in this video:
The 5 Major Breakthrough os the iPad
How about printing ? And i mean directly vía Bluetooth or wifi
Folding ipad= dumb idea. I’ll keep my gen 1 ipad before I ever by a folding one.
@Zune Tang
Haha, good one : )
he stole my idea! the clamshell design will make iPad more tote-able, protect the screen, and fits the hand better when closed. I’d accept a beautifully machined seam on the glass in exchange for a folding form factor, particularly if its total thickness is close to the current iPad’s 1/2″
The author left one item off that people want to do with a computer…word processing – typing out a note, a letter or a paper for work or school.
Zune, another beauty! I’m still laughing!
Especially “Microsoft cares a great deal about end user experience, especially with Windows enthusiasts like us and the IT staff where I work.”
HILARIOUS!!!!
Thanks, and keep writing.
We should all boycott tech until they resolve everything that makes anything less than perfect for everyone. Some tribes stick to the stone age while others advance thru the iron age and the bronze age into Damascus steel.
The history of mankind is littered with the corpses of those who clung to older tools while others gained advantage by adopting the new. Where do you want be in this equation?
To me the only question is are we to shout from the rooftops or hide our secrets. Are we humanists or individualists?
My two needs:
–Printing
–Opening iWork and Office files in the iDisk app using the iWork apps
–Consistently open and display desktop Keynote files exactly the same way using the iPad Keynote app (ie, no more formatting issues)
If it could do those three things, I could leave my MacBook
Pro at home on business trips. My guess is we’ll have all three of those by the fall.
Go Apple!!