January 27, 2010 Getting Intimate With the iPad

Today someone asked me if the iPad was a ‘tablet computer’. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I fumbled a response that sounded something like this:

Uh, not really, but yeah. It’s a larger version of the iPhone, which is more a smartphone than a computer — but it’s also a replacement for a laptop.

Which got me thinking: At what point does this ‘magical’ device challenge the definition of computing? There’s no denying the iPad’s potential to revolutionize media (once again), especially in the books and video categories. It’s also no secret Apple is pushing the idea that the iPad can replace a laptop for many people.

What I’m curious about is how the iPad, if it earns large-scale adoption, could shift our perception of computing as an experience, which, historically, has only been defined by desktop PCs and laptops — or, portable PCs.

Steve Jobs used a term that captures this idea during his keynote, when he sat down in the leather chair and picked up the iPad to demo it. He said the experience was ‘intimate’.

What I’m getting at is that I don’t think the iPad is just another portable device that fills a gap. Even contrary to the way it was introduced, I don’t think the iPad fits the in-between-smartphone-and-PC moniker. I think it’s much more. I think it is the new PC — in its infancy.

You could argue that the iPad is just a larger version of the iPhone, but you might be proving my point. Look at how the iPhone has revolutionized the mobile smartphone arena. The changes we’ve seen haven’t just been technological, they’ve been physiological, social, and even cultural. What if the iPad does the same for computing? What if, in three years, we look back at PCs the way we do now at the Motorola RAZR or Palm Treo (devices that, while still technologically capable, have experiences that are laughable compared to the iPhone’s)?

I’m just saying.

Update: John Gruber also used the ‘intimate’ term in his interview on CBC’s Spark radio show.

Comments

Do you think it will threaten the existence of the Mini PC or the Netbook?

JP
January 28, 2010

JP: Absolutely. The netbook is dead.

Sean
January 28, 2010

I think it will long term threaten the existence of both netbooks, laptops, and desktop PCs.

Chuck Skoda
January 28, 2010

how do you feel about its lack of multitasking? seems to be less of a must have on a phone, but on a more robust device like the iPad?

martin del rosario
January 28, 2010

It can multitask, i.e., you can listen to iPod and do other things. It’s just that Apple hasn’t (yet) flipped the switch to all more or everything to multitask. We are being eased into a different model. Better that the experience is fluid so as not to scare off too many nervous Nellie naysayers.

Rick Roberts
January 28, 2010

I don’t understand the iPad bashers out there. When we look back 3-5 years from now, this will be one of the most important technological advances we’ve seen. Simple, easy computing to the masses. Kids in school. Grandparents that were too afraid of a computer before. This is the “Windows 95” of a new generation. I can’t wait for the ride….

Rob W
January 28, 2010

Spot on. Apple seem to be the first to have realised that computing – as an experience – sucks. It’s only because we’re so entrenched in old ways that a simpler, lighter experience feels like a backwards step.

James Davies
January 28, 2010

nice little article. u know i feel its not having a warm welcome as people are still not sure how this will change things. my wife and mom are getting one from me. they are not in a field requiring such but love the power of net, video, audio, photos and all other simple cool features and apple needless to say is just sexy and eye candy with its interface plus as all apple products is close as u can get in stability and longevity. ease of use is phenomenal and this will attract alot of users out there in all age ranges from young to old it will serve greatly. i believe less is more im many ways and apple obviously sees this and its engaging in moving the knowing and the mindless there. keep it simple stupid, which they have done..simple, clean, user friendly, attractive, fair price(im to poor to buy cheap stuff) BOTTOM LINE – APPLE DID WELL AS USUAL –

wont be getting rid of the book or desktop just yet…adobe apps make me money =)

jay
January 29, 2010

Albert Einstein once said that “things should be as simple as possible but no simpler”. I think Apple has a true grasp on that concept!

Robert
January 30, 2010

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