*Please pardon the un-styled mess why I am rethinking and re-designing my blog!*
So I contradicted myself… I said I wasnt going to do it but i did. I promptly went out to the Apple store (just down the street from where I work) and bought an iPad. It was an impulse buy. I had been working on a website about an iPad app all week and i just wanted one. Its shiny, pretty and everyone wants one. I thought i would bask in its newness for a bit and then pass it on to my mom – afterall I’m a power user and this thing isnt that powerful… right?
Well turns out I was wrong. I make the internets all day. I sit in front of a iMac or a Macbook Pro and type away like a good little code monkey. I check twitter and I read blogs posts from time to time – but sitting at a desk and staring at a screen gets old. Sometimes when I get home from work I want to relax and read blogs, but its just not comfortable to sit at a desk and read. I’m also the wierdo that hates using my laptop anywhere but at my desk.
This is where the iPad comes in. Its relaxing to sit there on the couch and surf. Ive noticed in the past week that I actually started reading blogs again (sorry internets for ignoring you for a while) I had been so busy that I stop using the internet for leisure time, for fun. Everything was work work work and the iPad magically changed all that… ok so maybe it isnt magic – but its pretty freaking awesome. The iPad has literaly made the internet fun for me. My RSS feeds arent overwhelming because im not sitting at my desk – Im on my couch with a beer surfing! (the digital version of Homer Simpson).
Another interesting tidbit is that when surfing on the iPad for any extended period of time – I stop noticing that I’m actually holding it. I also noticed this while getting really into a few games. Its like the device disappears and i just have the internet in my hands – I know that sounds strange. But I believe that good design – I mean REALLY good design goes unnoticed (well except by the geeky designers out there). Things just work.
So call me a waffler, Apple fanboy, or anything else – but I have to say that I love the iPad and i’m looking forward to all the crazy and amazing things the app developers come out with.
[12] Comments
Posted in All Things Apple, design
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Dimi says:
The exact reason I want one!!
I can't read for that long on my laptop. When I am on my laptop its all business. I could be doing so much reading when I am just laying on the couch watching TV aimlessly!
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April 16th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
CraigO says:
My sentiments exactly! I was midly interested in the iPad when it was announced and seeing as how I already had an iPhone I couldn't find a compelling reason to get an iPad. Then I went to the Apple Store and held one. Oooo did that ever change my mind. I can't describe what it is other than to repeat what you wrote. It's just fun! I was blown away by how nice and fluid it was and when I stumbled onto one of the games, I was doubly amazed. I hadn't even considered the gaming potential of the device.
But alas, when I finally got ready to buy one My Wife Said No. She's in charge of the money (mostly to keep me from spending it friviously) and said I couldn't "buy" an iPad. So, taking advantage of that loophole, I startedhttp://MyWifeSaidNo.com to try and collect donations for an iPad
Take a look if you get a chance. Thanks!
My recent post New plan. Figure out how to fly to China for free. Spend $130 for this. Explain to my wife it’s technically not an iPad.
April 16th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
@bkmacdaddy says:
I totally agree – sounds like you went through a similar process that I did. When it first came out I wanted one (like many people) but was certain I didn't need nor would I get much use out of it. I think your points about sitting on the couch instead of at a desk is HUGE for those of us who are on a computer at a desk all day long. For me, sitting down with a drink & my iPad is like chilling with a newspaper or magazine at the end of the day or for a break – only there are a ton of other interesting things to do with it!
Thanks for pointing out the fun and the power of it all. I too am looking forward to all of the possibilities yet to come.
My recent post iPad Impressions From An Apple Not-Fan Boy
April 16th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Rob says:
I had already convinced myself that I wanted one when I walked into the Apple Store this week. I was most struck by just how natural interacting with the internet felt when you had a touch screen. It just seemed that this was the way we all should've been interacting with our computers all along! After playing with it for 15 minutes, it really became tough to go back to clicking with a mouse.
April 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@todayinart says:
I totally agree. This is a relaxing device to use and the new drawing apps (Brushes and Sketchbook Pro) have me sketching again
My recent post Drawing on the iPad, a Brushes & Sketchbook Pro Walkthrough
April 16th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Steph says:
How do you feel about typing on it? I think that would be the most annoying thing for me if i bought an iPad. I hate trying to type stuff on my iPod Touch – even 140 character tweets.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
BebopDesigner says:
Love your reviews! Now I'm completely convinced… I want one. Thanks for sharing.
April 17th, 2010 at 6:29 am
inspirationfeed says:
I really want one after playing with it at BestBuy, but its too expensive. by the way did you get the 16gb or 32gb?
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April 19th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Kelly L says:
Dammit, Niki. Now I want one. For those very reasons. Boo.
April 18th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
john says:
I am jealous… No more talking about the iPad! Have to travel soon and this would actually be a great complement to my iPhone for movies (on flight), books (beach) and for WORK if needed (yuk). Another good post.
But seriously – stop talking about it!
April 20th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
CGA says:
I work at a computer all day. I agree with what everyone said and wanting to escape that existence at the end of the day, but still wanting to read and stay connected at night.
I've always felt frustrated by not being able to physically interact with the computer through the screen. It's like trying to draw a picture by watching your hands reflected in a mirror. Being able to write directly on a tablet pc is sort of better. But, the iPhone hit the nail on the head. The screen is the internet. It makes sense that the iPad feels so intuitive.
Mechanics and engineers talk about how satisfying it is to phyiscally work with machines, to take them apart and fix them. Now they have to use computers to diagnose many of the problems. It's not the same.
This remindes me of the days before Mac and Windows and difference between computer programs designed for keyboard interface only versus GUI programs with a mouse interface. And, how frustrating it was to go from a Mac (at school) to a PC (at work).
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
rory says:
You had me at….on my couch with a beer surfing! Now I want one!
Wasn't really impressed when it first got released, but the more and more people I talk to (and read ) about the iPad, the more it appeals and Ive heard nothing but good comments about it. Think I deserve a treat soon…
May 5th, 2010 at 9:16 am