The iPad and Its Implications
Okay, okay. It’s obviously just a scaled up iPhone. The ‘unlock’ screen even looks identical, just stretched out on the sides. Yes, it’s kind of weird that iPhone apps even run on it, just small inside a big empty screen. And yes, it forces us to continue to feed the money tree that Steve calls the App Store.
But I have to say that I’m proud of Steve. From what I read today, and what seemed like years leading up to today, he was apparently really excited to reveal this to the world, much like he was with the iPhone. You can tell just from the way he skipped right past all the usual bullshit that goes on at big Apple events: “here’s how amazingly well we did this year,” “here’s a lame video about all the stuff we already showed you at the last event,” “we promise we’re environtmentally-conscious!” This time, there was a chair on stage with a table. This time, it was more like “We’ve done some cool stuff, BUT CHECK THIS FUCKER OUT!” He blew past the intro stuff in under 10 minutes and got right to the point that he knew we all knew was coming.
Why was he so excited for what appears to be just an iPhone with a bigger screen? Because the iPhone very successfully tested the waters for his new distribution model for content. The whole revolution of the telephone thing was somewhat of a bonus. Sure he’s proud of the iPhone. But as he said in the intro, the next step is something in between an iPhone and a laptop. The size of the phone is limiting, and a laptop is usually overkill. My laptop can handle photo editing and programming like nobody’s business. But when I’m sitting in front of the TV, I’m more likely to pull out my iPhone to check my Facebook and my Tumblr and my email. I just wish it weren’t so small.
So the iPad steps up the game. It’s more powerful than the iPhone. It’s fast, and does everything the iPhone does (well, an iPod touch) and more. Apple’s releasing iPad versions of iWork, which means now you can do your research or that next presentation or your family budget from your recliner.
To me, that is the biggest indication that this is just a stepping stone. I believe that the iPad (and Steve Jobs’ excitement for it) represent a major second step to what Steve has wanted for the personal computer all along, since day one. iPhone broke the seal. The iPad brings it closer. And I think soon enough, Steve’s grand masterpiece - the culmination of 34 years of stern belief in a powerful and usable personal computer - will finally come to fruition in a full-sized touch screen device that doesn’t require a mouse or folders or windows or any of the complication of desktop computing as we know it. Then, and only then, will Steve Jobs willingly retire.
