Philip Khor

Update: April 3 it will be available in the U.S (The Wifi version). What that means is that 2 months later in June, we should see iPad in Malaysia. The starting price should be around RM 2499 depending on how aggressive they wanna be. Don’t expect price to be low, but expect “bundles” depending on which retailer you go with (Machines, Mac City, etc)

Update 2: More about Flash and HTML5 [link]

For more images / apps in actions: http://www.apple.com/ipad/gallery/

Let’s break this article down to 3 main segments:

1. What is it good for?

2. Why should I get it?

3. Why I think  it is awesome now, and a must-have in 12 months time?

Very soon, people in America will get their hands dirty with the new Apple iPad. There will be rave reviews from the tech geeks and everyday users. Some people with iPhones and iPod touch will find it is really a whole lot more than “just a bigger iPhone”. The books feature will be a big hit. And those who love TV series will be in Dreamland. Apple is arranging deals with the TV networks to allow the latest content to be pushed to these awesome 1024 x 768 resolution devices.

The first wave of its release will be buggy. Minor kinks should be ironed out by August (When they release a software update and perhaps a new iPhone?) There *might* be manufacturing issues, due to this revolutionary design. It is so thin, so light and yet so powerful. The battery life is amazing. Claimed 10 hours, that means a full productive day without charging.

1. What is it good for?

Surfing the web in its entirety. Sure, you can use your Smartphone to browse sections of a web page. But with the iPad, it will be full screen, full view, full awesomeness (minus Flash!) But there’s a reason for the Flash issue. 1. Battery Life 2. Stability, it crashes computers often. 3. We are moving towards HTML5 standard, diminishing the importance of Flash.

Youtube & TV series. This will be a great device to view movies and videos. Big screen, touch screen controls. As usual, legal content won’t come to Asia that soon. But rest assured, our Chinese pirate friends will more than happy “supply” us with content.

Games & Apps. Do you know that there are over 140,000 apps approved in the App Store? All those apps and games that work for the iPhone will just work on the iPad. Simple as that!

iPad specific applications will be available upon launch. That is why I say that within 12 months, this product will be fully deployed in schools, universities, kindergardens, offices, meeting rooms, board rooms, manufacturing plants, Starbucks, check-out counters. Everyone will want one in 12 months time. By that time though, there will be much competition as more and more systems jump on board the shelves of your computer store. Apple will prevail, pretty much like the iPhone.

2. Why should I get it?

It is a wifi notebook. Minus the clunkiness, the huge ass power supply and “accessories”. The input device is the most natural thing that mother nature gave you; your own hands!

While you may want to wait for the 3G version to come out perhaps July in Malaysia, you need to get one now. Since everyone will be using it in 9 – 12 months time, you might as well get a head start and look around what you can achieve with it. It will definately be an eye opener. You’ll get your attention everytime you surf at Starbucks.

One cool thing an iPad can do that your netbook and laptop probably can’t.

* whips out iPad *
* pushes power button, slide finger to unlock *
*surfing on the internet, check mail & Facebook  *

All in under 10 seconds

Instant-on means you can use your iPad as soon as you power button it.

Windows take at least 1 minute to power up. Put your laptop to sleep, and it might not wake up when you need it! Apple claims a full 30 days “standby time” for the iPads.

So remember, INSTANT ON!

3. Why is it awesome now?

Good marketing. Simple as that. The pre-order process, and reservation. This is the smartest marketing tool anyone can employ. Put a web form to get people excited. Say it will come at a much later date, but  they will be the first to  get it. This sort of scheme enhances the buying experience. For those who pre-ordered, they will be non-stop talking about it. They will share it with their friends. They will get excited in anticipation of launch date. I think it is genius!

Digi Malaysia also is doing the same. iPhone pre-order. They haven’t got it yet, but they just want your contact details and which model you are interested in. It helps in the planning and execution when the device actually arrive at Digi’s offices.

Yes, so the reason to buy is definitely for the web experience. The 140,000 apps available in the App store means you’ll be spending an average of US$30 a  month on new app purchases (just ask any iPhone owner). Of course, there is Jailbreak, which allows you to download software for free, illegally. I am sure hackers will hack the shit out of this device. Just 3 months after the iPhone’s release in 2007, the first Jailbreak appeared on the internet which allows people to use the iPhone SIM-unlocked. Same thing will likely happen to the iPad. When jailbroken, the niggling stuff like multitasking, tetthering etc will all be fixed!

It is a very hackable device.

Check out Mac Rumors | Apple | iPad Twitter

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