So, I’ve been an apple fanboy for a while. I was one of those that put apple’s infallibility right up there with God and Jesus. My personal stock in apple has been dwindling for a while now and the iPad sent it crashing into a personal apple great depression. Now that I’ve had a little time to reflect on my disappointment I offer my oh so important opinions below. It may not be for the reasons you think…
Yes, I was disappointed with the product, the hype didn’t match the product, which, is honestly different for apple. Usually, they either go beyond the hype or in such a different direction that the hype didn’t matter. I agree, though, that if the hype hadn’t been there apple may not be taking the flack they’re taking now. But, alas, the hype was there and the iPad (which hasn’t even gone on sale yet) has been dismissed by a lot of popular tech blogs and news agencies as a disappointment at best. That’s the talk of the town right now. I have other beef with apple…
This whole thing, in my opinion, exposes a different problem with apple that’s been bothering me for a bit. When the iPod came out, apple was excited, but, there focus was still on computing. There computers (laptops, desktops, etc…) continued to get most of their attention. Then came the iPhone. Ever since the iPhone came out it seemed that apple’s focus became the iPhone. Computing was still important, but, what they talk about and hype the most is their phone. There computing technology suffered as they’ve produced laptops that are overheating and iMacs that showed up DOA. That just doesn’t seem like the apple I used to appreciate.
Then comes the iPad which signifies a whole new direction with apple and Jobs vision. A friend of mine on facebook said it best so I’ll quote him here. “…the true problem is that it’s the first device that signals computer usage has become consumption-oriented instead of production-oriented. You can’t CREATE anything with the iPad. Apple has always been about enhancing creativity, and they really missed the ball on the iPad. There’s no creativity involved in consuming the internet.” (by Dave Harris)
That’s the deal breaker for me, that’s what bothers me so much about this product. Stevie J said that this was “Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device…” While that statement may be argued about in itself, it doesn’t change the fact that they put their most advanced stuff into a device that doesn’t really do much. I would’ve MUCH rather them put the energy and innovation into an even better laptop.
This is only my opinion and I know lots of people are really excited about this product. Sound off below and let me hear your thoughts…
Buzz it!
Nice thoughts. Yes, it doesn’t seem to be a very productive machine outside of what you can do on the web and in the iWork apps, but once developers start making programs for it, that might change.
I agree that the focus on the iphone seems to have given the iMacs and Macbooks a back seat (with good reason). But I don’t think that’s entirely the case. MOST folks are consumers, not producers (which is another thing entirely), so they’re providing something it seems, at least initially, for this group.
I believe this is the almost perfect computer for the average joe. You know, the ones who have a 10 year old computer with Windows 95 and think anything over $400 is too much for a computer (monitor included), yet, they’re too scared to touch it because they might “blow something up.”
It will be interesting to see where this goes. Like Jonny Ive said, this is a statement of their future, and changes to come will be interesting.