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I’m looking forward to reading my books on the iPad and so should you

January 27, 2010 By 12 Comments

Yeah, I’ll admit it. I’m pschyed about the iPad. No, it isn’t perfect. Yep there are some obvious flaws (lack of USB port or SD card reader are big ones for me), but I’m excited about how this will change how we use computers. I remember I wasn’t too keen on the iPhone at first, but I knew from the moment I saw it that it changed how we would use and interact with smart phones from then on. Same with the iPad (I agree, the name is terrible, just awful). Maybe the iPad isn’t what everyone will be carrying, fine, but I think Apple’s endorsement of the form factor and technology will boost all tablet makers. Sony and Amazon, well they have some catching up to do. Nothing that a color screen won’t fix though.

What I’m most interested in seeing with the iPad is how ebooks can combine multimedia within a book. Even live websites. Right now I’m writing Using WordPress, which is a beginner-focused WordPress book. In each chapter there will be screencasts and audio segments. Being able to pull those up in line with the text they refer to? Holy smokes that would be awesome. How about a special “section” at the end with updates and changes pulled live from the Internet?

Think about paying less for academic textbooks. Think about textbooks that can self-update over the Internet.

Sure these aren’t nearly as interesting a a game or drawing program. But I certainly can imagine using an iPad to review changes to chapters, jot notes, read books …

Now I just need to imagine the money I need to buy one.

Filed Under: Books, Cool tools, Create Your Own Blog, Daddy Wears Slippers to Work, Internet Life, Technology, Using WordPress Tagged With: , , , , , ,
  • http://www.duanestorey.com Duane Storey

    I’m not very excited about it. Sure, having multimedia with books would be cool — but why can’t you do that without the iPad? It’s a nice form factor for reading granted, but not very practical in an education environment unless they are bolted to the table like laptops or everyone brings their own. That said, the #1 selling point for me would have been a kick-ass integration with a book store and a focus on reading books on the iPad. It doesn’t sound like that’s the focus to me, which makes it less exciting. The main use case for this device in my mind is reading, not surfing the web, and it doesn’t seem to be a core competency at this point.

  • http://www.duanestorey.com Duane Storey

    I’m not very excited about it. Sure, having multimedia with books would be cool — but why can’t you do that without the iPad? It’s a nice form factor for reading granted, but not very practical in an education environment unless they are bolted to the table like laptops or everyone brings their own. That said, the #1 selling point for me would have been a kick-ass integration with a book store and a focus on reading books on the iPad. It doesn’t sound like that’s the focus to me, which makes it less exciting. The main use case for this device in my mind is reading, not surfing the web, and it doesn’t seem to be a core competency at this point.

  • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

    Sure, the iPad might not be the perfect eBook reader, but if Apple proves that it can be done, I bet we’ll see better adoption overall.

    The student’s a BCIT’s New Media Design program are required to have laptops and I think that kind of requirement will only become more common. Especially if more and more textbook publishers push out textbooks in electronic versions–and at a discount.

  • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

    Sure, the iPad might not be the perfect eBook reader, but if Apple proves that it can be done, I bet we’ll see better adoption overall.

    The student’s a BCIT’s New Media Design program are required to have laptops and I think that kind of requirement will only become more common. Especially if more and more textbook publishers push out textbooks in electronic versions–and at a discount.

  • http://www.duanestorey.com Duane Storey

    Yah, I don’t have much faith in Apple pulling it off, mainly based on my experiences with Apple TV and lack of content / effort.

    • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

      Yeah Apple TV is a downer. Right now all iWant is to try one for myself before iBuy.

  • http://www.duanestorey.com Duane Storey

    Yah, I don’t have much faith in Apple pulling it off, mainly based on my experiences with Apple TV and lack of content / effort.

    • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

      Yeah Apple TV is a downer. Right now all iWant is to try one for myself before iBuy.

  • Russ Kane

    Granted, we’ve only seen the demo, but it seems to me the iPad is more of a glorified iTouch than an e-reader. Touchscreen, full-color, interactivity- all very cool. All come at a hefty price in battery consumption.
    Full disclosure: I have a Kindle DX. Yes, I wish it had better contrast on screen, but its easy on the eye (iPad is going with a backlit screen?), there is no monthly fee for connectivity and the battery life is wonderful. iPad may be great for storing docs and articles, but for serious reading, I don’t get it.

    • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

      Russ I think that’s a great point. Apple is touting the iPad as an eReader, but I haven’t heard what it’s like to read content on it for a few hours.

      Since I don’t have an eReader at all…well I’ll just have to wait and see.

  • Russ Kane

    Granted, we’ve only seen the demo, but it seems to me the iPad is more of a glorified iTouch than an e-reader. Touchscreen, full-color, interactivity- all very cool. All come at a hefty price in battery consumption.
    Full disclosure: I have a Kindle DX. Yes, I wish it had better contrast on screen, but its easy on the eye (iPad is going with a backlit screen?), there is no monthly fee for connectivity and the battery life is wonderful. iPad may be great for storing docs and articles, but for serious reading, I don’t get it.

    • http://www.trishussey.com/ Tris Hussey

      Russ I think that’s a great point. Apple is touting the iPad as an eReader, but I haven’t heard what it’s like to read content on it for a few hours.

      Since I don’t have an eReader at all…well I’ll just have to wait and see.

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