I like the iPad. I don't fancy the Blue Lego, indeed, but otherwise it's a nice piece to have.

The main problem is that it's lacking a cam. So maybe the next model and let's hope the competition on the mobile/tablet market with 10.1 adopted will do its corporate lobby at Infinite Loop as well.

When I have the cash, I'll buy the iPad for my wife whose main activities consist of web browsing, word processor, PDF viewing and printing. The added portability should allow her to take it everywhere. Lower cost than a laptop will help that, too.

As a developer, I'm not attracted to that form factor yet. The iPod Touch is a better machine for mobile apps and the PC/Mac for the rest. If you develop specifically for the iPad, your interface will not be portable to any other gadget out there.

Tomas: the problem with Word processing is that you won't be able to run programs simultaneously – no multitasking.

I will not be buying an iPad. If you're going to buy a device to browse the web, why would you buy one that has arguably the worst browsing experience available on a screen that won't fit in your pocket.

I'm hoping that this is really just a beta of some of the technology (big touch screen, long life battery, etc.) that eventually transforms the MacBook Air.

I won't buy iPad. It doesn't support Flash that is why. :)

I won't be getting one. Lack of Flash aside, the form factor just isn't right. It's not big enough to get serious work done. I can't see myself typing long emails on it. Just typing a tweet might be a pain. Nope, I'm getting an HP Touchsmart. That's something I can actually get some work done on.

"you're going to buy a device to browse the web, why would you buy one that has arguably the worst browsing experience available on a screen that won't fit in your pocket."

I assume you've tried one then? If my iPhone was bigger and faster, I've love the browsing experience, enter iPad.

"The problem with Word processing is that you won't be able to run programs simultaneously – no multitasking."

How many apps can you really run on the 9.7 inch screen and be effective. I argue that the application just needs to "save state" such that If i need to copy and past in to a document, when I flip between applications I start where i left off. Since the applications within this form factor are likely to have a smaller footprint, load times should be faster than loading Word/iWork on my PC/Mac for example.Only place I could see you want multi-tasking is when using Skype or Pandora.

If I didn't already own a bundle of Apple and other gadgets, I'd jump right on this device. That said, first generation hardware from Apple is almost always riddled with a few bugs. All of that aside, if I had the spare cash and was sans iPhone & netbook, I'd pick this up.

It really is a completely different product line. There's no boot time, no bulky keyboard, no extended battery nub, and no need to reimage every 30 days.

Sure, the iPad is a niche product, but I'd say I use my iPhone to surf and use apps at least 3x as much as I use a full blown machine or netbook. Its just an instant experience. You can turn it on, surf, and turn it off all in a matter of seconds. That's the revolution here.

It's a nice piece of hardware, and I can see how the form factor could be useful in situations where there is no place to set a laptop, yet the small screen of a mobile device would be too limiting.

Unfortunately, it's usefulness is limited by it's arbitrary software restrictions. I would consider it if it had a streamlined version of OSX with the ability to multitask and install Cocoa apps.

Hi Rich,

I appreciate your contributions to the RIA community. From a developer & designer's point of view I must say it's a disappointing release from Apple(lack of features like an sd card reader and web cam). That being said I think Apple makes great products and will probably release future versions of the iPad possibly including additional hardware. But since your question does address those involved in RIA I cannot help but notice Apple's attacks on Adobe. It's like the elephant in the room, how can you talk about this issue knowing that developers will use Flash CS5 to create apps for these devices but Apple will still carry a very confrontational stance against Flash technology in the browser. Just saying... it does raise a lot of questions and will always be an issue when the majority of us in the RIA world are using Adobe products.

I think the Ipad will push the paperless revolution further than the Kindle, etc... has. I see it as a piece you can leave on your coffee table that can be used by yourself or guests to read, buy stuff, order food, control your tv, order your netflix, manage your lighting and audio conditions around your house. It's a remote control for life... If apple uses this phrase in their marketing you remember you heard it here first.

The only thing I order on my iphone now is food, I wouldn't order clothes or flowers or anything I needed to actually look at. I think the ipad really does have the potential to eliminate paper goods... Not counting toilet paper.. Unless the ipad really does wind up sucking.

Rich,

I believe that the iPad as it was launched is a dud and I'm not really talking about Flash here. I am a Flash developer/supporter and would love to see Flash in the iPad. That could tip the balance for me to buy one.

I have my own theories as to why Apple launched something that the vast majority of its potential buyers consider incomplete. Lack of USB and camera, small capacity, lack of multi-tasking, fear of lock-in to AppStore, iTunes and, now, iBooks are some of the reasons that come to mind when thinking why I won't buy and iPad.

I would indeed prefer the OSX and the general ability to upload arbitrary files and apps to the device.

I don't think it will have a tremendous impact on RIA development, especially on online RIAs, as it is clear that Apple wants people to develop applications for their devices using their native SDK.

Regarding developing for the iPad or the iPhone, I don't think much has changed for me and if it did it would be on the opposite direction. In a sense the "locked" iPad made me realize that most of the arguments presented by Apple on previous occasion for wanting a closed environment are, in most extent, fallacious, at best.

In fact, I will be dumping my iPod Touch as soon as I get an Android phone in my hands. As someone said, most of these arguments being thrown at us are mainly political in nature, so I'm willing to make a political stand.

Multi-tasking is the big downer for me (along with many other things).

But I constant copy stuff from app to app, or refer to something in one app whilst doing something in another. The fact that I'll be left with the iPhones limited copy and paste functionality will make it a nightmare.

It's also the most closed device out there. I'm not keen on anyone telling me what I can and can't do.

I won't be getting an iPad. The fact that it doesn't have Flash makes no sense to me as a Flash developer. Aside from that, it's lack of versatility is the real downer. I have a netbook and I can install on it anyprogram I use on my work computer. Sure I won't do the same amount of work on it because of the form factor, but if I needed to make some adjustment to a fla file I could just install Flash or FlashDevelop on it.The role of the netbook/tablet is not well defined yet. By making a product that is so closed Apple has less chances of getting it right.

I'll buy one. I think the large touch screen is intriguing It's a great opportunity to rethink how you should interact with software. I started an app already.
Multitasking..... I am not really sure I need that. It sounds crazy but trying to really think why I need that.

The IPad could be the next Apple TV or it with some innovative apps it could be really cool device.

So going to give it a go.

the iphone changed how i work as a Locksmith in Nottingham i was able to proccess cedit cards and so much more, i see the ipad starting off slow just because "we" have to find the unique use for it and then all hell will break loose and "we" will never know how we lived with out one....

the iphone changed how i work as a Locksmith in Nottingham i was able to proccess cedit cards and so much more, i see the ipad starting off slow just because "we" have to find the unique use for it and then all hell will break loose and "we" will never know how we lived with out one....

I'm happy with my current laptop that I bought last fall but even if I was in the market for a tablet, I think I would wait for the HP Slate or many of the other tablets coming out this year. I imagine that with all the complaints against missing features in the iPad that competing products are going to fill in those gaps, for a superior product over the iPad.

The iPad is going be a success, though that depends on the apps available for it. I am already working on something HTML5/tablet form based and have a couple of ideas for native iPad apps.

I firmly believe the iPad is currently near the trough of disillusionment and once people realise what it's gonna be able to do it'll take off in a big way. See Gartner's Hype Cycle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle

So Yes I'll be buying one, but as a developer that's only really 30% of the reason, mainly I'll be buying it as a consumer (and will continue to bear in mind this is not a computer in the traditional sense).

I won't be buying one. The issues for me are no flash, no multitasking, and its too big to carry around conveniently. The no flash is an issue simply because I don't like how restrictive and closed the system is.

The line from Apple about poor performance of flashplayer is junk, they're just trying to keep everyone in the appstore. Its just as possible to write a poorly performing cocoa app as it is to write a poorly performing flash app.

This is going to be an issue for me in WM7 if MS removes flash and multitasking to lock people into Silverlight and their new app store as well.

I don't buy iPad, for not including Flash support.

iPad = Sore neck or sore arms

laptop ya can ya can watch video on as the screen can be tilted and it supports its self.
ipad ya either looking down at killing ya neck or holding up at head height killing ya arms lol

I was really excited when I first heard about the iPad - Apple were releasing a touchscreen portable computer was the impression I got. At last there was a portable device that would fit into my life which I could really get some use out of. I am not a big mobile phone user - so my phone is ancient. I have a huge behemoth of a desktop so there is a gap somewhere in the middle.

I wanted a device I could sketch on, maybe watch films on whilst travelling, check emails and surf the web, As I am developer (mainly in Flash) & tinkerer with visual media, sound, scripting, web stuff, 3D, etc. I want a device I can develop on, hack to bits and do what I want with it. The announcement was disappointing - partly because of the Flash issue, but mainly because Apple are selling a closed device when I want something well designed, but open and easily extendible (with USB ports and a camera please).

So maybe I would buy an iPad, but probably not. I would only if I could install and use the stuff I wanted - I don't like being totally tied into one place to obtain my content / applications.

I was really excited when I first heard about the iPad - Apple were releasing a touchscreen portable computer was the impression I got. At last there was a portable device that would fit into my life which I could really get some use out of. I am not a big mobile phone user - so my phone is ancient. I have a huge behemoth of a desktop so there is a gap somewhere in the middle.

I wanted a device I could sketch on, maybe watch films on whilst travelling, check emails and surf the web, As I am developer (mainly in Flash) & tinkerer with visual media, sound, scripting, web stuff, 3D, etc. I want a device I can develop on, hack to bits and do what I want with it. The announcement was disappointing - partly because of the Flash issue, but mainly because Apple are selling a closed device when I want something well designed, but open and easily extendible (with USB ports and a camera please).

So maybe I would buy an iPad, but probably not. I would only if I could install and use the stuff I wanted - I don't like being totally tied into one place to obtain my content / applications.

As it stands, the iPad falls a little short on features for use in my household. My wife's main use of her laptop is playing flash games on facebook, IM, and skype video chats.

I don't believe it needs 'full' multitasking, but it needs the ability to run different classes of applications simultaneously, e.g. an IM app, an audio app and a foreground app. Perhaps the rumours of iPad 'widgets' will fix that.

I'm sure it will do some great stuff, I'd like to see some home automation apps on it etc, and I'd love to deploy some flex apps as native apps to it!

However, without a forward facing camera and no flash support it's a no sale for this mac filled household!

It might not make that much of an impact now, but it's effect will boost, as Apple adds on to it. The iPad is actually obtaining a lot of criticism, but Apple's stock will still likely increase.

RROD

I will be getting an iPad to replace my Touch. My Touch is a combination Daytimer, communicator and entertainer but my aging eyes need something bigger. An iPad with 3G gives me all that and more. And, watching what's happening with Nuance and MacSpeech, I can only imagine the speech-to-text possibilities. . .

I would think an iPad would be the perfect TV companion (not too small, not too big) to have sitting on the coffee table, within easy reach, just waiting for you to be confronted with a perplexing question presented by your favorite broadcast show: "Belarus? Where the heck is Belarus?"

Cue the iPad and Wikipedia:

"Belarus, pronounced /ˈbɛləruːs/ ( listen) bel-ə-ROOS (Belarusian: Беларусь or Biełaruś, Russian: Беларусь or Белоруссия), is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe,[3] bordered by Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno (Hrodna), Gomel (Homiel), Mogilev (Mahilyow) and Vitebsk (Viciebsk). Forty percent of the country is forested,[4] and its strongest economic sectors are agriculture and manufacturing."

Just don't toss it with that stack of old magazines on the coffee table on recycle day by mistake!!

The IPad could be the next Apple TV or itindir with some innovative apps it could be really cool device.