NTCA's The New Edge » eReader

To iPad or Not to iPad?

Jesse Ward — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:15:17 +0000

The much anticipated Apple iPad multimedia device was released this past Saturday and, according to the company, more than 300,000 people purchased the device during the first day of sales, about in line with industry expectations.

The iPad has received middle of the road reviews, with techies lamenting the fact that it does not offer multitasking functionality, support for Adobe Flash, camera or ichat capabilities, an HDMI port, and, unless you go with a pure WiFi model, it’s still dependent upon AT&T’s 3G network. Many analysts also questioned the need or use for the device.

Yesterday I trekked on down to the Apple store and took the gadget for a test run. Let’s start off with the host of positives. The tablet computer is sleek, with a 9.7-inch LED backlit display and touch screen. It features one power button and Apple’s intuitive user interface.

The standard/bundled apps add a surprising amount of value. Steve Jobs promised that this was “The best browsing experience you’ve ever had.” While I wouldn’t go quite that far, the iPad does offer an awesome Web experience. To quote Engadget, it’s smooth, fast and fluid, the screen displays easily in both landscape or portrait mode, and you can easily pinch to zoom any place on a web page without any hiccups. The presentation of the itunes/eBook/app store is beautifully displayed and easy to navigate, and the iWork suite opens up a whole host of new uses for the devices.

Of course there also are a variety of third-party apps which expand upon the initial capabilities. Netflix has released an app, Hulu’s application is in the wings, and ABC and CBS are rumored to be working on applications to stream video content. In regards to printed content, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times offer applications. And there are a variety of games available; the tween boy test-driving the iPad next to me at the Apple store was interested in the iPad for its potential gaming capabilities.

I only had a few complaints. The tablet is heavier than expected, about 1.5 pounds. And as an eReader, the screen leaves a little to be desired; it’s like reading a book on a computer screen – not such a great experience. My Amazon Kindle features eInk and it’s much easier on the eyes than the iPad. (In fact, I’ve become such a Kindle fan that it’s a highly unlikely that I will purchase a hard copy book again.)

The bottom line: it certainly won’t replace my traditional laptop or PC, or my iphone or kindle, but once I handled the iPad I became a convert. It’s a great in-between/third device that will enable me to sit on the couch and read the newspaper online, stream video content and surf the Web. Now if only that price tag was a little lower…

Apple Intros the iPad

Jesse Ward — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:48:05 +0000

After months of speculation and media hype, Apple introduced the new iPad this afternoon. (See the video after the jump.) The new mobile device is a half-inch thin and weighs 1.5 pounds. It’s powered with a 1GHz Apple A4 chip and comes with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The all-in-one media device plays movies, music, TV shows and acts as an e-reader. It comes in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB capacities. It will retail for $499, $599, and $699 for the respective capacity models without 3G, and $626, $729, and $829 with 3G.

Wi-Fi only models are slated to hit the stores in 60 days, with 3G-capable model shipping in 90 days.

Models with 3G will be unlocked. AT&T will offer two data packages, both available without a contract: $14.99 for up to 250 MB per month and $29.99 per month for unlimited data. AT&T will also throw in free access to its Wi-Fi hot spots.

Also of note, the iPad can already run almost 140,000 apps available in the App Store. I’m sure Apple’s loyal app developer community is chomping at the bit to develop additional capabilities for this new device.

Apple, of course, had a major impact on the wireless market. The iPhone clearly redefined the mobile experience, elevated consumer expectations and, in the process, created massive traffic management issues on AT&T’s cellular network.

Regardless if the iPad is an overnight success or a flash in the pan, it’s clear that consumers will continue to adopt new wireless devices, utilizing mobile networks for bandwidth-hogging video and multimedia applications.

What are your thoughts? Is the iPad revolutionary? Does it fill a void between the on-the-go mobile user experience satisfied by the iPhone, and the desktop computing needs satisfied by an iMac or laptop? Please leave a comment below.

For more, Apple’s website has the skinny. Steve Jobs also intros the iPad below.

Amazon: eBooks Outsold Physical Books on Christmas Day

Jesse Ward — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:23:18 +0000

Amazon announced that its Kindle eBook Reader hit two large milestones this past holiday season. It became the most gifted item in the retailer’s history. Also of note, on Christmas Day for the first time Kindle books outsold physical books.

But what’s missing from the party is any substantive, qualitative sales data on the number of units sold. Despite media requests for the info, Amazon is holding back on the stats.

In case you are interested, the other top-selling electronic items on Amazon were the 8 GB iTouch and the Garmin nuvi260W. In regards to wireless devices, the honor goes to Nokia’s unlocked 5800 XpressMusic, Plantronic’s 510 Bluetooth headset, and AT&T’s edition of the BlackBerry Bold 9700.

Engadget has more on the Kindle and top-selling holiday items.
Ars Technica has a preview of new eReaders.
The New York Times has Apple iSlate rumors.

VOTW: Intel eReader

Jesse Ward — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:37:15 +0000

Have you recently seen a funny, entertaining or informational video? The New Edge would love to hear from you. Please send your suggestions for the next video of the week (VOTW) to jward@ntca.org and your video might be featured in an upcoming issue.