Apple announces the iPad
On Wednesday, January 27, Apple announced the Apple iPad. While much of the focus of the announcement was given to the consumer, little attention was given to enterprise user. However, this is typical for Apple products. At IBM, my focus is on the internal IT deployment. My first thought after listening to the announcement was how will IBM employees will use the new iPad device once it begins shipping in March. Employees will use the iPad whether or not it is endorsed. Since the iPad essentially the same as an iPhone/iPod Touch and runs the same OS, I expect that the same security/VPN/messaging capabilities that exist today (e.g. profiles, Cisco VPN, ActiveSync support) will be included in the iPad. Like the iPhone/iPod Touch this would allow IBM employees to use the VPN to connect to IBM, use the Safari web browser to access iNotes Ultralight or Sametime, or use ActiveSync to leverage Lotus Traveler and Lotus Notes "push" email, contacts and calendar. The key value, however, is in the applications, and IBM is busy building applications (web and rich clients) that access enterprise data. While I don't see users using an iPad as their "primary" computing device I can easily see it as a second device. One of the key advantage of the iPhone/iPod Touch is the superior web browsing experience and having this experience in a larger, bright, touch screen is tempting. I'm looking forward to trying it and the $499 model is tempting.
That said, I do have a wish list of features that were not announced that I'd like to see:
While the iPad is new, it's not revolutionary. All the features (and more) exist on other device. Apple didn't invent the MP3 player (iPod) or smartphone (iPod) but it did make them better. I expect the same for the iPad when it ships next month.
That said, I do have a wish list of features that were not announced that I'd like to see:
- Streaming support. With so little on board memory, there needs to be a way to view vidoes, pictures and music on my home network
- Flash support. According to Adobe, Flash powers 70 percent of games and 75 percent of video on the web. On a personal note, I want to play FarmVille!
- Multitasking. Perhaps we'll see this in 4.0?
- More device locking options. It's a pain to enter a passcode to unlock the device to satisfy those concerned about device security. How about speech recognition?
- GPS. Still a bit unclear if the iPad includes GPS on the models without 3G
While the iPad is new, it's not revolutionary. All the features (and more) exist on other device. Apple didn't invent the MP3 player (iPod) or smartphone (iPod) but it did make them better. I expect the same for the iPad when it ships next month.
1) Apple announces the iPad
Chris
I would second your comments, however from a pure enterprise standpoint I think that 8GB is really small nowadays even if most of the files won't be stored locally... even if with iWork you may have a need to get files down on the devices, without even counting HD movies which consume place.
additionally Flash won't be an issue once HTML 5.0 is out and adopted, VoIP applications are now available (or will be) on apple store so we may leverage this device to make call (and why not having an SUT/Sametime client running on) and without even talking about webcam (looks like steve jobs used a device with a webcam included , pictures available on the web)
But today the main blocking point isn't being able to do multitasking !!! meaning you can start a ST chat , back to a webpage copy a link and send it... it's about ABC of any basic IT devices ...
JNK
JNK 2/3/2010 4:59:21 AM2) Apple announces the iPad
Great comments. Thanks. Personally, I don't plan to go out and buy an iPad as soon as it released. I'd like what the market adoption is like and try it for myself. I'm very interested in the new 4.0 iPhone software and the new capabilites.
Christopher Pepin 2/3/2010 5:08:31 PM