Busting the iPad hype

BY ASHER MOSES

Last updated 05:00 29/01/2010

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Is the iPad overhyped?

Apple unveils much anticipated iPad

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The web and games on the Apple iPad.

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As the awe surrounding Apple's iPad announcement died down, chatter quickly turned to the plethora of features Apple deliberately excluded from the device.

In a similar vein to the launch of the iPhone, Apple has left features out of the iPad in order to force customers to hand over more money for accessories and, eventually, the next generation of the device.

The iPad lacks a built-in camera, USB ports and memory card reader, but all three features can be added by buying separate adapters. A separate keyboard dock is required to connect the iPad to a keyboard.

"Are we really going to have to carry a separate camera with us and connect it to the iPad to get it onto the internet?" wrote Mike Melanson on ReadWriteWeb.com.

"And what about Skype, undoubtedly one of the favorites when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family in far away places? Video chatting is out of the question."

The iPad is based on the same operating system as the iPhone, and they share the limitation of being unable to run multiple applications at the same time or to display web pages created using Adobe's Flash.

Also like the iPhone, the iPad can only run apps sanctioned by Apple and provided through its App Store.

Only videos contained in the user's iTunes library or converted to Apple's video formats will play, and files cannot be dragged and dropped on to the device, as is the case with most other computers.

It also lacks an HDMI output for connection to a TV set. Only 720p video playback is supported, rather than the 1080p resolution of true high-definition files.

Similarly, when the iPhone launched, it lacked the ability to search, copy and paste, record videos and send MMS messages, among other features, but these were all added later.

"The tablet's resolution tops out at 1024 x 768, which falls into the 4:3 standard definition range and not the glorious, widescreen 16:9 high definition aspect ratio we've come to know and love," wrote Barb Dybwad on the Mashable blog.

There is no full GPS support either but the more expensive 3G models, set to be released a month after the standard models, support "assisted GPS", which pinpoint your location using nearby mobile towers.

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Apple fanboys expected to ignore flaws

But New York Times columnist David Pogue said, as is often the case with Apple product announcements, all these qualms will disappear once the device goes on sale.

Pogue is confident people will still be lining up around the block to buy one. He noted that many said the iPhone would flop in the period before it went on sale.

"My main message to fanboys is this: it's too early to draw any conclusions," he wrote.

"Apple hasn't given the thing to any reviewers yet, there are no iPad-only apps yet (there will be), the e-bookstore hasn't gone online yet, and so on. So hyperventilating is not yet the appropriate reaction."

Anthony Agius, owner of the popular Australian Apple community website, MacTalk, said he could live without most of the omitted features but the lack of the iBooks electronic bookstore in Australia was a deal breaker.

"I don't think there's anything that has been left out that's necessary or can't be added on through accessories but the iBook feature is the main selling point," he said.

"Given what happened with the iTunes music store launch, it could be months or even years before it [iBooks] comes out on the iPad in Australia."

The iPad's name has also come up for ridicule, with many likening it to feminine hygiene products. The word "iTampon" is among the trending topics on Twitter today, warranting far more mentions than even "Apple" or "iPad".

App makers rejoice

App developers have only had positive things to say about the iPad, which will provide a whole new market for their apps. The 140,000 existing apps for the iPhone will all work on the iPad but many developers are redesigning their apps to take advantage of the larger screen.

Melbourne company Firemint, which developed one of the most popular iPhone games, Flight Control, said it was re-releasing the game for the iPad. Several other iPad games would also be developed by Firemint, spokeswoman Alexandra Peters said.

"A larger screen means that games can be more immersive, as well as allowing for higher detail and bigger animations," said Peters.

"It also means there is more room for user interface elements so games can be more accessible. Developers may not need to make the same trade-offs as for devices with very little screen real-estate."

- © Fairfax NZ News