Everything they say about the new iPad is right, and everything they say about it is wrong. Mostly, I think they miss the point. The breakthrough with the iPad is not the gizmo itself, or the way it will deliver "iBooks." It's the way we will sit with it.
Until yesterday, there were three ways that people interface with a video device. The first was the original - television - sitting back on a chair or sofa with the screen in the distance. The second was the computer, sitting at desk, leaning forward with a keyboard, or in your lap. The third was with a smartphone - staring at your hand.
Now there is finally a way to access all the media of the web - text, audio, video, games - while seated comfortably in a sofa or chair, the way we sit with a book or a magazine, from a screen larger than a deck of cards.
The device itself is certainly not perfect, but it is a powerful first iteration of the way people are going to use digital devices in the future.
And only the future will reveal how content will evolve to suit the new technology. It always does.
I think you are spot on Paul. Though what has changed is only how we access the the media, how we interact with it (like posting this comment) didn't change much with this iteration.
It will be interesting to see how the new seated position leads to input innovations.
Posted by: Jackson Miller | January 28, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Hmmm... sounds like my netbook... that I've had for a year... ;)
Posted by: Kati | January 28, 2010 at 11:07 PM
this may be the only intelligent comment about the new device I have read. The concept of comfort bridges the gap between laptop and smartphone. steve davison
Posted by: Steve Davison | January 30, 2010 at 11:34 AM