Underwhelmed by the Apple iPad, but There Were Some Interesting Nuggets

Let's face it the iPad is an iPhone on steroids nothing more nothing less. From an overall technology breakthrough it does not even come close to the introduction of the iPhone which redefined the smartphone market. I agree with Apple's positioning of the iPad between a smartphone and a laptop. The problem I see is that it acts more as a smartphone than a laptop. I personally want something in that segment that acts more as a laptop than a smartphone I agree 100% with Chris' comment on my post from yesterday); I need a smartphone because of its functionality and size, so why would I purchase a device that essentially replicates the iPhone experience without giving me some key functionality such as multitasking and Flash. I can't tell you how many web sites I browse on the iPhone and get the little blue Flash icon which prohibits me from fully experiencing the site.

That said I think the hardware is leading edge and shows the importance Apple is placing on chip design as a differentiator going forward. It will be interesting to see how proprietary chip design creeps into the Mac line. As usual the industrial design of the iPad is top notch, I am sure the device feels very comfortable to hold and use. The iPhone OS 3.2 announcement did not bring any features I personally was looking for other than the interesting nugget that allows VOIP over 3G, although with the A-List and included mobile to mobile I have so many rollover minutes that for now I would probably not use that feature.

My big disappointment yesterday was that there was no iPhone OS 4.0 or next iPhone hardware announcement. I understand that they not want to detract from the iPad but still a little nugget for their biggest customer base would have been nice.

I am sure that the iPad will be an initial success because it is an Apple device; the question is whether it will have staying power.