| Tablet computing has been eyed by the big players | | | | more than a big iPhone of course, a dedicated iPad |
| for many, many years now. Bill Gates has been a big | | | | Software Development Kit has already been released |
| advocate of this computing form factor for some | | | | allowing developers to harness the extra screen real |
| time, with Microsoft actually releasing Windows 3 for | | | | estate and other features of the new WunderSlate |
| pen computing some years ago for example. Of | | | | to bring us some truly innovative apps. |
| course we also had Apple releasing the Apple | | | | Working for a Microsoft agency many years ago I |
| Newton in 93, as parodied in the Simpsons with the | | | | was 'lucky' enough to migrate from a Pocket PC with |
| classic clip where Kearney tells his friend, "...take a | | | | a flash jacket and wireless card to the newly |
| memo on your Newton: Beat up Martin." He scrawls | | | | released and exciting 'Windows Mobile' platform |
| away only to see the Newton's handwriting | | | | (called Pocket PC back then) garnering one of the |
| recognition interpret his memo as "Eat up Martha." | | | | first prototype handsets running this new OS, and for |
| illustrating that we were not quite where we needed | | | | many years thereafter I was 'gifted' with the latest |
| to be with the technology. | | | | Windows Mobile handset which promised to provide |
| With the announcement of the iPad and hushed | | | | the best possible mobile experience. Unfortunately it |
| whispers of a dual-screen 'courier' tablet over at | | | | was a huge disappointment... Constant reboots, a |
| Redmond, 2010 then is the year of the tablet, the | | | | questionable interface and an assortment of other |
| iPhone has already become more and more often | | | | annoyances plagued my user experience, so as soon |
| used as a staple Internet device around my home | | | | as I copped hold of my first iPhone on the day it |
| and on the road, although I've often thought 'if only | | | | was released and had a play with the device I just |
| the screen were a bit bigger' or if only it had a | | | | knew Apple had gotten it right, no reboots, an |
| physical/tactile keyboard, this thought often | | | | intuitive user interface, and with the launch of the |
| compelling me to one of my laptops, it seems Apple | | | | app store, well, the app integration was mind-blowing |
| listened to me with the release of the iPad as it ticks | | | | - downloading apps seamlessly to your handset at |
| both of these boxes. | | | | the point of a finger. |
| It all makes sense to me, Apple has already proven | | | | Applying this same experience to tablets I feel |
| that the technology behind the iPad works with the | | | | confident that the iPad really will be a game changer, |
| runaway success of the iPhone, so releasing what | | | | Microsoft's Windows XP tablets were useful, but too |
| some disparagingly call a 'big iPhone' actually seems a | | | | clunky - running an OS designed for desktop |
| shrewd move on Apple's part. Just the thought of | | | | computers primarily was an annoyance. iPhone OS is |
| using some of my current iPhone apps on the iPad is | | | | made to be simple, stripped down to function just as |
| exciting - playing the drums in 'DigiDrummer' without | | | | one would expect. There is no multitasking, you |
| having to try and stop my large fingers straying from | | | | focus on one app at a time - there are no |
| their target, playing 'Vs Chess' on a large chess board | | | | distractions, of course some would cite this as a |
| without having to strain my eyes and of course | | | | negative, but this device does what it's designed to |
| surfing the web properly without excessive scrolling | | | | do - consume media. |
| and zooming, happy days. The iPad will be much | | | | |