“Simply put, there is a certain magic to using the iPad that’s nearly impossible to convey in words – you have to touch it to believe it,” Engst writes. “And that’s key to why the iPad will be the future of computing, though even those words don’t do justice to what I’m going to describe, now that ‘computing’ is as much about games and socializing and hobbies as it is about using spreadsheets and databases and word processors.”
Engst writes, “Here’s the thing that I’ve realized after using the iPad – it’s a blank slate, a tabula rasa… The iPad becomes the app you’re using. That’s part of the magic. The hardware is so understated – it’s just a screen, really – and because you manipulate objects and interface elements so smoothly and directly on the screen, the fact that you’re using an iPad falls away. You’re using the app, whatever it may be, and while you’re doing so, the iPad is that app. Switch to another app and the iPad becomes that app. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Carl H.” and “Edward W.” for the heads up.]
Obviously a tool
You have to relate this to the one stating jobs’ final victory over woz and stating the first Apple was open and the iPad is closed. It’s absolutely wrong. It’s the same thing. Simply who now have the tools to build a card for an iPad. Come on be serious. Now Apple provide the hardware and the OS but the Apps will make the real iPad experience!
That’s part of the reason why it probably is best to have no multitasking, or extremely limited multitasking.
It’s reviews like this that make me want to go out and buy one, even though I have no practical use for it (or money for that matter). It’s like with each new iPhone, I play a game with myself to see how long I can hold out without buying.
It seems that all the positive iPad reviews are from people who have actually used one. All the negative reviews seem to be from people who haven’t actually used one. Now that it’s out, the latter have less of an excuse and will have a hard time justifying their opinions.
Ooophs, I think someone stepped in the RDF of Steve Jobs. The truth must have accidentally slipped out!
Careful reviewers- that device carries part of Steve’s special powers. Only those of the darkside can resist its powers!
You left this part out.
Wonder what they do differently to be thought so highly of?
(As an aside, I want to take a brief moment to thank long-time TidBITS reader Eolake Stobblehouse, who sponsored iPads for the entire TidBITS staff as a way of encouraging us to cover this new platform. Eolake’s generosity is unprecedented, and we are all tremendously appreciative of his direct support of TidBITS in this fashion.)
I teach weekly computer classes at a local Mac reseller and I’ve been telling that to all my classes ever since Jobs’ demonstration. It’s what you want it to be, when you want it to be. The computing world does not know what hit them and, as usual, the industry reaction will be nothing more than knee-jerk. Jobs is clearly a visionary and doesn’t mind wiping the slate and moving forward. Those that hang on to technology just for the sake of hanging on, don’t get it.
A great book to read is, “The Invisible Computer” (I think it was published around 1996 or so). It’s a great read.
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Computer-Products-Information-Appliances/dp/0262640414
El Guapo, do you have an iBooks link?
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Nope, sorry.
I have demonstrated my iPad over 20 times since Monday. Not one person has walked away without saying “I need that”!
The Netflix App alone is worth the price of admission. Movies load very quickly and you suddenly have a wondrous entertainment device in you hands. Other than making a few phone calls and sending a few texts my iPhone has been used very little.
By the way that might be a problem for Apple because I fell very little need to upgrade to the next iPhone when I am using the iPad as a replacement.
Jobs has often talked about the “emotional” connection the user makes to the product – not just in its industrial design but in its use. This is exactly what’s being described here.
@twodales…
What’s in the other hand?
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@ Cubert… You’re right. Now that the iPad is out and actually being used, the shrill articles have all but vanished except for the Apple loathers and “open” system freaks.
The iPad changes so much already and it’s been out only a few days. Wait’ll the peripheral developers start designing and producing things that extend what an iPad can do.
appme, I’m a fan of both TidBITS and Mr. Stobblehouse’s own sites.
It’s cool that he is such a good guy, DOMAI is so great.
Not that I disagree, but this dude really needs to get his hands on an iPhone or iPod touch. This property of “the device becomes the app” has been true for these devices ever since apps began to be sold.
——RM
@stooge
That “tool” gets it.
Now go clean your room before mommy gets home
Be iPad
Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless… like iPad.
You put an app into the iPad, it becomes the iPad.
You put in the Dock, it becomes the Dock.
Apps can flow, or it can crash.
Be iPad, my friend.
I finally got my hands on one in Best Buy. How… disappointing. Wanted to be thrilled, but nothing was right. The text blurred too much when I scrolled, the books were just not something I could imagine using. Pictures looked fine, but how often do I sit at my computer to just look at pictures? What a letdown. Maybe v.2?
@Shylow
Apple products aren’t for everyone. You may like some and not others. Perhaps you are right and iPad2 will better meet your expectations and desires. That’s why I don’t push Apple products – but if people are open to the idea and express interest, then I am glad to discuss the merits of Macs and such.
Thanks for trying…
Multi-tasking? That’s what I have an iMac for. The iPad is for focused app based work flow. You can already can cut and paste between apps. But the majority of the time when traveling you are focused on one function at a time.
@ twodales:
Portability. The iPhone is more convenient to carry around in your pocket. And it takes pictures/video…more of a complete all-in-one device at this point.
My cousin works for Apple and tells me that all of their voice service in the future will come via the internet, much like Skype. Interesting.