iPad initial thoughts…

Ok, I have had two weeks with the Ipad.  My Twitter followers have already gotten a tweetful, mostly about the various ways the device is crippled.  Well here are my thoughts somewhat organized:

SUMMARY:

A cute device that i will keep (reluctantly) mostly for mobile consumption of a limited number of applications, mostly entertainment focused. This device does not replace my laptop (sadly) because it lacks full browser functionality (Flash, Silverlight, etc.), can’t save or edit documents effectively, and lacks sufficient storage. 

Biggest regret:  This is ONE MORE THING TO CARRY.  I was hoping it would replace something.  It replaces nothing and doesn’t do enough unique things to earn love as a device.  I carry it grudgingly.

LIKES:

-  Great form factor. Typical high quality Apple design.

-  Netflix over 3g/Wifi RULES.  This app alone makes the device worth it as a mobile entertainment device.  Just replaced my DVD player on car trips. 

-  Mail and calendar are finally integrated in an interesting way.  You can see in calendar the threads related to that appointment.  Cool.  Mail alone is a good implementation.  This device is way better for mail than the iphone.

-  Many of the Iphone apps I have used have been upgraded to take advantage of the larger screen and improved functionality.  Like Analytics HD.  WSJ, Kindle ans of course Suzie’s Sushi.

-  3G makes the device useful. Data plan is affordable.

- Scrabble.  Love it. Best app yet (after NetFlix)

DISLIKES:

- Read all my posts on #ipadfail on twitter.  The biggest issue is the fact that EVERY DAY i find a new site that doesn’t work well on the iPAD.  This is not just a couple sites. This is not just the lack of FLASH. This is 90% of the web sites that I use are crippled in some way.  The problems fall into four broad categories

1.  Lack of Flash support.  So many sites use it.  Come on Steve.

2.  Lack of certain tag support. Like what I need to edit documents in Google Docs (contenteditable).  Really?  Yea it might be in 4.0 release, but come on.  (Thanks @lindvall for the clarification)

3.  Random missing stuff.  When in google apps through Safari on the iPhone I see all the apps including Tasks. on Ipad, no Tasks on the menu.  why?  Lots of sites are just missing certain options. I think it is probably because the site recognizes the iPad and turns off certain features not supported, but this is annoying.

4.  Touch vs Mouse interaction incompatibilities.  I expect to be able to do everything with a touch device that I can with a mouse.  Silly me.  For example, the click and drag you would do in BaseCampHQ to reorder a task on a to-do list.  Not supported in touch.  No click and drag. 

-  IPad apps are too expensive.  Many are not upgrades from the iPhone but have the upgraded price.  I know the iPad software is cheap compared to desktop software but remember, this is not replacing my laptop/desktop. It is a playtime device like the iPhone. Apps should be priced like entertainment, like the iPhone.

-  Need more native apps.  This will come I am sure.  Or maybe not, if many people don’t find a place in their bag for this new device. 

-  Sync of music and movies is hard when my library is 2TB and the device is 32gb.  There are not good ways (without reordering your whole library) to sync just a few things.

WISH IT HAD:

- camera

- more memory

- real productivity apps