iPad vs. iPhone + Kindle

I use iPhone and Kindle 2 heavily and I also have iPod, MacBook etc. Even though I am not really a super fanboy of Apple … still, I thought a tablet from Apple is something I was waiting for, until I see the iPad today.

It’s thin, it’s beeeeautiful, and the user interface is certainly sleeeek. But wait, where are the new new things ? In fact,

  • There is no phone – sure, I can make VOIP phone call … but why ?
  • No camera – so no snapshots, no video phone conference / calls, no augmented reality applications,
  • No multitasking – I cannot download videos while I am doing something else,
  • No HDMI output – I cannot use it as the Youtube video station for my TV,
  • No Flash support – I guess I have to wait for HTML 5 websites … but again, why ?

You know, I thought Apple would announce a super new way to browse magazines and newspaper with iPad that can save the publishing industry, but no, again probably need to wait for some super-duper iPad application to do that. So is the iBooks really better than Kindle for iPhone ? Who knows …

And seriously, how can you hold this device for hours to read a book (my Kindle 2 can easily do that, and the battery can last for two weeks) ? And how can you take this from your home to your office, or your frequent coffee shop without adding a cover / bag ?

So far, really, I can think of only one big big reason to get one … that is if I want to share my photos with my friends and family, on the road.

Video from Engadget.com.

http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/51b063e8

Author: Michael Yung

Michael possessed over 30 years of experience in Information Technology with focuses on complex application development, database technologies and IT strategy. He also spent the last 20 years in Internet technology, eCommerce development / operations, web usability, computer security and Public Key Infrastructure technologies.

2 thoughts on “iPad vs. iPhone + Kindle”

  1. Michael,

    Like you, I’m quite disappointed about the iPad. It’s just a giant iPod Touch, with a new version of Mail, iWork, etc. It may be an almost perfect device for surfing Internet….hmm…and as you said, probably for sharing photos too.

    Content will be a big problems for most Asian countries; expect that if you have a US/UK credit card, you may buy US/UK movies, books and magazines from iTune/iBook Store. As of today, Apple still hasn’t sorted out the copyrights of songs and movies in the iTune Store. For most countries, we can only buy apps from the Apps Store (but not able to buy local movies & songs and US/UK/Japan movies & songs in iTune Store) after using iPod and iPhone for so many years.

    How long will Apple take to work out the copyrights of US books selling overseas? How about China/Hong Kong/Taiwan books and magazines selling across Greater China (possible without strict censorship from Chinese government?)? It’ll be lucky if these can be sorted out before the iPad 3 or 4.

    I’ll probably stick with my Macbook + iPhone + Kindle 2 for now 🙂

    Andy

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