So – last week Apple announced their new iPad – essentially an enlarged iPhone at first glance. But – unfortunately – it’s not even that.
As much as I like the idea of having a lightweight communication device with a large screen with me at all times, the iPad really doesn’t make me want to leave home without my Macbook Pro. Having an e-mail client, a and a browser (that doesn’t support Flash?!) is great, but not nearly enough.
I am absolutely dumbfounded that Apple isn’t including a real class-A GPS in the iPad, but just Assisted GPS. If it had one it would be the perfect partner for me in the car with Navigon or TomTom navigation software. In that way it would be a perfect travel-device – and as great in-car entertainment device.
The iPad lacks a camera (or two) for all those apps that need a camera to work. I have no idea why Apple wouldn’t want to include a camera in a device like this. Not that I’d want to use it to take pictures on my vacations, but because having a camera would unlock many of the features that are enabled by the many great apps in the AppStore. If you want examples then you seriously need to browse the AppStore to see for yourself. There are so many. Aside from adding a camera on the back of the iPad, I would’ve loved having a camera on the front side for video-conferencing purposes.
Also – please add the possibility of letting me answer calls on the iPad if my service provider allows it. It would be fine if it was just working with a headset or via bluetooth so I could use it in my car.
Aside from those issues – the iPad does look like a great device if you spend a lot of time commuting and don’t want to be lugging your Macbook or Macbook Pro.
Sorry, Steve. So far – the iPad is a miss for me. It just doesn’t pack enough new features to count as “revolutionary” in my book for me to consider buying it. Shoot me an e-mail when you’re announcing the iPad Pro 
Disclaimer: I haven’t actually held the iPad in my own hands and all of the above is of course subject to change once that happens (though I doubt it will).
