On the weekend, I posted a note indicating that I had a gift card to exchange and was looking for ideas for what to do with it? A couple of my friends chimed in and indicated that I should apply it towards an iPad when it becomes available.
I always appreciate life improving advice and so have been thinking about it and I’m really struggling with the concept.
I really like my iPod Touch. It’s a great portable device for getting connected when a computer isn’t available or practical. I have an iPhone provided by my employer and I’m less fussy about it. It’s bigger and clunkier than my iPod and the battery life is rough. If it’s not plugged in regularly, I can’t get a day’s worth of computing from it. I’ve done the usual suggestions like turning down the brightness and turning off 3G but it kind of misses the point. What’s the sense of having a machine with all this power and not using it?
I have a Netbook which is awesome for the portable computing experience – light and powerful. And, of course, I have a laptop provided by my employer for the portable, presenting life. So, where would an iPad fit into this?
Then, last week, I had the experience of sitting with Tim looking at his Android. Now, this got me excited. I’m sure that the applications available pale in numbers comparison with the iPod but to be able to have Streetview come up so quickly and other websites where I don’t get the full experience on the iPod was intriguing.
It really made me think. The Android was late to the party and is now playing catch up with the Apple products. Of that, there is no doubt. But, word on the internets is that there are some tablets like the iPad that are ready to be released. Now, if they’re shifting into overdrive to try and match the Apple release date, there may be a more level playing field. And, rather than working through the Apple Store with its management of content, to be able to turn to the web for open development of applications is exciting.
Of course, all of this is just rumour at this point. But, if Google or HP or Dell enters the market at roughly the same time, it could be an interesting run. While HTML5 offers a great future, Flash is still a mainstay in this day and age. There are so many angles to this topic.
But, suppose that all of this happens? Where does it play into my lifestyle? If you’ve seen my equipment, you know that I’m rough on it. Can I carry around a bigger machine without cracking the screen? And, what would fall off the table? My iPod is great for walks and bike rides. I’d have to have a carrier for anything bigger, methinks.
So, if you’re one of the legions of people ready to leap, where does it fit into your big scheme of things? Does it open new opportunities or will you have to replace something to move forward with it?
