Ali Showkati's Blog

Last month I began a blog to try to work out our transition, as a society, to a unified and complete digital lifestyle. Read part 1 here.

The Apple iPad

In our efforts to complete the digital lifestyle, we also need to look at where, and in what situations we consume media. This is perhaps the most important factor in it all. Digital devices are beginning to focus on the where, as opposed to the what. There are many devices on the market that rely on key features. What we, as an industry are beginning to realize, is that soon every feature will be available on every device. Barnes & Noble seems to have this mindset down pretty well with their eBook service. You can purchase an eBook, and read it on any device they have a client for. For B&N, the devices are smartphones, laptops, and desktops, not to mention the Nook. They are aware of what many other companies, including Apple are becoming aware of. That the unification and completion of the true digital lifestyle, doesn’t depend on the functions of any particular device, rather than the context that they are being used in. Basically, it boils down to a simple question. They question isn’t what do you want to do, but where and how do you want to do it?

Apple’s iBooks app

Reading eBooks is one example, but another more applicable example is word processing. Where do you want to write? If you’re at home, then most likely your desktop. You have gathered the most appropriate piece of word processing software according to your needs and preferences, and you use that application to write. What if you want to move to the couch, or the cafe? Then a notebook computer, loaded with similar software might be the best choice. What if you’re at the movie theater or a friends house, and you have some time to punch out a couple of notes? Then a smartphone would likely be your candidate. Now with Apple’s new iPad, and other competing devices, we have been given a new category of products to address this question even further. And this is where then the devices other functions, can tip the scales.

The iPad is a great new device that allows for the same diverse use as their acclaimed iPhone, but with a presentation that makes certain tasks more friendly and usable. It simulates the same thing that media consumers have been doing for decades, it is a tablet you can hold like a book or magazine. It’s 9.7” screen makes it ideal for just those tasks, and makes the transition from analog to digital reading most natural. Browsing the internet has finally become something that feels as natural and casual as flipping through the magazine and reading books. The real selling points for me were the mobile versions of the iWork suite of applications (Pages ((word processing)), Numbers ((spreadsheets)), and Keynote ((slide presentations))). Plus a pretty cool 1st party Keyboard Dock, that introduces the ability to use a full, tactile keyboard when the occasion arises.

Google Maps

Apple is in a greater position than B&N to provide a truly useful piece of hardware. While B&N’s mindset is there, their efforts for providing the hardware will ultimately be moot. We saw this happen with the MP3 player market and the phone market. As function is still too important to cast aside. Apple wins in this aspect because it has mastered one vital factor for success. Consolidation. The iPad consolidates all of your media into one place, like their iPod, and MacBook. You will always have access to anything you want, the only decision is where and how. The Nook, while being a truly outstanding piece of hardware, will not be able to reach the potential that the iPad will. The Nook is a eBook reader, and nothing more. It’s other functions are truly superfluous to its core function. This isn’t in any way a negative critique on the Nook. As you may have read before, I own a Nook and hold it in high praise. It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to and that is a tremendous feat onto itself. The point is that there now exists a device that can do that, and then some… and then much more. So I can use it to read The Lost World on my iPad, and then i might want to switch over and watch the movie to compare. Or go research a certain aspect of the literature online. I won’t need to remember it for when I get home, or take out my laptop to look it up. It’s all right there, at my fingertips. And just to further the point of all this, I will be able to download a B&N app, on the iPad, and read my purchased book library right there.

Safari on the iPad

The price is well placed for the device. It solidifies their claim of it being between an iPod and Notebook. It starts at $499 and goes up to $829. For most people $499 price point is perfect for what the device is capable of. I will probably end up selling my MacBook Air and Nook to attain the device, (and make a delicious profit as well). The real argument for these devices is context and consolidation. If it solves a problem in either category, it deserves a place in my arsenal of gadgets, as I, myself, journey to complete my digital lifestyle.

iPad Keyboard Dock

Folding Case

For more on the specifics of the iPad go to Apple, Engadget, or Gizmodo.

*images from Apple.com