Jeff Carlson is writing The iPad Pocket Guide for Peachpit, and talks about the challenges of covering the iPad before the release date. Jeff was one of the lucky ones who had some hands-on time with the iPad at the introduction, and discusses his impressions vs. the pre-shipping hype, who will buy the first round of iPads, and why some are hesitating. Will the iPad change the game for ebooks, games and mobile computing? Jeff has some thoughts on all of those and more.
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The iPad Pocket Guide by Jeff Carlson
There's one potential application for the iPad that's not now being mention. Quite a few business travels have documents they need to read, review and approve. An application that made that task smooth and easy should be a big hit. It'd track incoming documents, sorted by priority and type, and take care of sending the reviewed document back. It'd also be a way to process must-read articles. Having used an iPod touch for some six months, I think that the touch keypad remains a big issue. It's good that the one on the iPad will be bigger, but that's balanced by the fact that the iPad isn't as easy to hold standing or in many awkward seating arrangements (i.e. airline seats). Apple seems to have realize that by (finally) offering integration with Bluetooth keyboards. But any full-sized keyboard will be about 1/3 the size and weight of an iPad, negating the portability advantage. What the iPad needs and what the iPhone/touch could benefit from as well would be an iPhone-sized, Bluetooth thumb keypad. There'd be no learning curve. Many millions of people can already use one quickly and efficiently. And it'd let users place the iPad with its screen where it can best be seen and use the keypad in whatever way is most comfortable for them. It'd be especially great for taking notes in class and at meetings, since it'd be faster and users wouldn't have to look down as they type.
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