The iPad’s Untapped Potential

My question is, what can you do with it that you’re not already doing with something else? What makes it indispensible to you? It’s got a long way to go to fulfill that criteria.

To answer your question Paul, I would say “nothing”. The iPad doesn’t really do anything that is different from say a desktop computer, a laptop or an iPhone.

It lets you surf websites, play games and watch movies but HOW you do all of these things is where the iPad gets interesting. The whole human/computer interaction is being challenged with this new device. How you access your information or photos and music is different. The user interface is completely different from a desktop computer in that apps don’t have a menu bar or multiple windows that you move around on the screen.

I use a desktop computer because I need the extra storage and horsepower I can’t get from a laptop. At the same time I’d love a laptop to surf in front of the television or on the back deck. I can do this now on my iPhone but the screen is small and I’m constantly zooming in and out of web pages.

An iPad would be a great alternative for someone like me that already has a desktop and is looking for something portable that isn’t going to break the bank.

The iPad isn’t for everyone but I think it will have a huge influence on how we use computers down the road. And who knows? When you put a product like this into the marketplace, people will find all kinds of applications for it that haven’t been considered yet.

Jay,
I here it is good for a cheese tray and to hold open a door. You said that people will find all sorts of applications, is this what you had in mind?
JB