I Came, I Saw, iPad

After months of hype, Apple finally unveiled its latest product in end January. Most people were expecting a tablet device, but the iPad was surprising in other ways.

Billed as a “whole new kind of device” and power e-reader offering “the best way to experience the web, e-mail, and photos”, the iPad is meant to fill the niche between the smartphone and the laptop – or rather, the iPhone and the MacBook. Although existing net books on the market packed with more functionality arguably already fit the bill, Apple’s solution is the iPad.

While thin, the iPad is designed to be used with both hands and sports a wide bezel, so it isn’t exactly small. Standing in its dock (one of many accessories soon to flood the market), it could very well be mistaken for a digital photo frame.

For connectivity, the basic version only supports Wi-Fi. You’ll have to get the costlier model if you require 3G roaming (international prices unavailable at the time of writing). Its crisp screen supports the same lauded multi-touch technology of Apple’s iPhone and iTouch, with an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. And the similarities don’t just end there.

Instead of the Mac OS (or operating system), the iPad shares the same OS as those i-handhelds, with the same constraints: no multitasking (you can’t simultaneously write e-mail and surf), and no Flash support (you can’t watch video on many popular sites). For an Internet device, these limitations are baffling. It also lacks a built-in webcam for Skype and video conferencing.

Despite these obvious shortcomings, Apple has undeniably succeeded time and again with its “simple is more” approach. So while it may not be as game-changing as the iPhone, the iPad may yet win over the hearts of the masses.