Archive note. Originally published January 28, 2010. This article is preserved as historical material from an earlier version of the site. Product references, forecasts and company-specific recommendations should be read as period context, not current editorial advice.
January 28, 2010
Well, then the iPad is launched, finally. The internet is full of reviews and opinions, so I will not replicate that. 
I am sure this device will satisfy some needs out there (I will get one, for sure! Me and my sofa have the need), but the main question concerning us there at Mobiletech is; Is this a mobile device that we should enable support for in our software- and service offering?
We have said earlier that we are not sure, yet. Until now the tablets have been the magic device everyone talks about but no one have seen or tried. Some said it would be the silver bullet and the missing link, other more sceptical. At that point the answer was still unclear, which is exactly what makes the post historically useful.
Let me explain how we consider our role: We make digital content fit into the mobile browsing context so that it is easy and enjoyable to consume and interact with. So the question we ask our selves is “can we do anything to make the browsing experience better on the iPad based on the dimensions in mobile that are our core?”
Below is a simple pros and cons table from the top of my head.
| Yes, its a mobile device that should be treated as any other mobile phone or handheld device |
No, this device does not need any adaption. |
- iPad has an interaction model that is not ideal for sites built for the mouse and keyboard as the input devices.
- The average web site out there today will not be fully compatible with the context the iPad provides.
- The iPad has a “mobile phone operating system”, same as iPhone.
- The device comes with a SIM (some devices).
- The device is mobile.
- Preferred device for surf and read email and other “30 sec tasks” you wont use your PC or laptop for.
- Does not support flash.
- No multitasking.
- The screen size is close to other high end devices (N900 etc) that we do consider mobile devices and hence support.
- Low bandwidth using 3g, demand optimizing of data sent across.
- Wap billing and other network services may work and be value adding if 3G is enabled.
|
- The screen is big enough to browse and read sites made for desktop/laptop devices.
- Powerful processor compared to many “classic mobile phones”.
- Do support html5 fairly well, in addition to other “desktop mark-up standards”.
- iPad is not “the new mobile phone” and will not replace mobile phones. Its a new “device class”.
- The browser handles web sites very well (except flash, Adobe says its around the corner).
- No GPS, cant utilize location fully.
- Not necessarily as personal a device as the mobile phone is.
- It is not a pocket device, that is “always with you”
|
The remainder of the original article argued through the tradeoffs in more detail and ended with a call for reader feedback. That reader-feedback CTA has been removed here because it no longer reflects an active product or service workflow.
