| Mobility in music production is truly a gift that we | | | | device, the Software Development Kit (SDK) has |
| should be thankful for. For those of us with very long | | | | supposedly not changed much. In fact, it has already |
| commutes to work every day, it is a real hassle to | | | | been released to a certain few manufacturers for |
| need to wait until we return home to create the | | | | testing, so as soon as Apple's latest product is |
| music that goes through our head every moment. | | | | released there will be a slew of iPad-ready programs. |
| When netbooks hit the scene, producers immediately | | | | Some of these will also include beat makers which |
| saw the potential in these mini computers. So with | | | | have been improved from the ones released on the |
| the iPad, how will notebooks be affected? Let's look | | | | iPhone. |
| at a few ways that the iPad will be better than the | | | | Screen size is similar for these two choices. Some |
| netbooks available now, as well as a few details that | | | | netbooks, though, have a very large screen size, and |
| could plague Apple's offering and create problems for | | | | they can indeed go up to twelve inches, as long as |
| music makers. | | | | the device remains under a certain weight. Yes, they |
| Netbooks run on standard operating systems like | | | | are still considered netbooks and not laptops at this |
| Windows XP and Vista. Some of the modified ones | | | | size, as long as the weight remains in check! The |
| can even sport a fully functional Mac OS like Leopard | | | | iPad's screen remains a mystery as few have seen it |
| and Snow Leopard. The iPad will have a less | | | | in action. A few months after release, we will know |
| functional OS, meaning less functionality in the end. | | | | how sturdy it is and now safe it is from constant |
| However, these limitations are supposedly giving | | | | finger manipulation, especially the kind that might be |
| developers like Propellerheads a stronger motivation | | | | involved in music production: constant tapping to |
| to work within the box and make something that is | | | | program drums and so on. |
| even more simple than its current full-OS offering, | | | | Virtual keyboards are set to become usable on |
| Reason 4.0. | | | | Apple's new device due to its screen size. This is big |
| So where does this actually leave software | | | | news for those of us who require musical input. The |
| developers? Well, the iPad can utilise any 'apps' | | | | battle between these devices is set to be waged |
| already developed for the iPhone and iPod Touch | | | | over 2010 and early 2011. We'll see how netbook |
| platforms, so any modification is unnecessary for | | | | manufacturers respond! |
| existing programs. To make new apps for the latest | | | | |