Chill. The iPad is here, man...

It appears everyone hates the iPod, and that, basically, it's a big iPod touch. Well, they're right. It is a big iPod touch. The same people also say it won't be successful. Well, they're wrong. Because while it is a big iPod Touch, it's not just that.

The iPad has a few killer features.

1. A 1GHz processor. That may not be too astounding, considering the Nexus One has the same clock speed. However, this chip was custom designed by Apple to integrate incredibly well with the software, and other hardware components. This also allows a multitouch UI that has many more little tricks than the iPhone's UI.

2. An LED screen. Very high contrast ratio and refresh rate...an awesome movie-watching experience. Not only that, but the high contrast ratio puts little strain on your eyes while reading, almost as little as a Kindle.

3. Very sensitive multitouch. Bob Mansfield said it himself; over 1,000 multitouch sensors. This means that, coupled with the big screen and fast processor, the iPad is a screaming fast device.

4. Apps made just for the iPad. The iPad scales up iPhone apps to full screen, but apps designed specifically for the iPad will be able to do magnificent things, and have more computing power for awesome graphics. OnLiveshould look gorgeous on it, as they are building an iPhone app, and most likely, an iPad app.

5. It will always be updated. Not really a feature, but if you don't like the iPad, know Apple will always have to add features in the future.

6. Feels great in your hand. Need I say more?

7. Books. Again, needs no explaining.

So, while I think the iPad will be not incredibly successful, Apple will sell many. This device has true potential, and Apple has taken the first big step towards something even better. And yes, I will be buying one, and I will have an unboxing video up on my YouTube channel, along with tons of other great Apple/Tech content.

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Via bitefromtheapple.com

Update on Jan 29, 2010 at 11:54 PM by Robert Mozayeni

The iPad was truly made magical by the innovative and extensive multitouch gestures. It's not the hardware, or number of features. It's the refined elegance and the improvement over the iPhone OS.

LIVE Recap of Apple's Event Tomorrow

Okay guys, so with the Apple tablet bound to be announced at tomorrow's event, I thought I would give my new LIVE studio a try. Tomorrow at 8:00PM CST, I will be doing a recap of the event on ustream. This will be one of the few live show I've done, with the last being WWDC 09. I had a lot of fun with that show, so I expect to with this one also. I really hope a few of you guys will at least stop by for a little bit even just to see my video setup. I worked pretty hard on it, and I think it turned out great. I plan to be doing a video soon detailing my LIVE setup, so make sure you keep an eye out for that. :)

So, just to reitterate, I'm doing a LIVE recap show of tomorrow's Apple event. You can find it at ustream.tv/kman101. It'll start at 8:00PM CST, with the stream (music & title card) going up at 7:00, to make sure I don't miss anyone.

I hope to see some of you in the chat room!!

You can contact me at ndmacgeek@gmail.com.

Shiny Products on the Way!

We are getting increasingly closer to Apple's release of the iSlate/Tablet/iPad, and rumors are a dime a dozen. This is a quick post; I wrote an in-depth analysis previously.

I think the Slate will have FREE 3G, and will cost around $1000, maybe just under. If Apple doesn't subsidize the device, then I think this is very likely. Amazon's Kindle has this, and would be one of the biggest selling points. However, if Apple DOES subsidize it, I think the Slate will be around $600, and have a $20-30 monthly data plan that permits VOIP, from AT&T and/or Verizon. I think Apple has sorely learned that AT&T is well, AT&T.

Just want to make this a very brief article. If you wish to continue reading, click here.

Steve's Reality Distortion Field

It’s January 8, 2007 and technology geeks across the world have their breath held as they wait for the following morning. On January 9, 2007, Steve Jobs will take the stage of Moscone West and deliver his annual keynote at the MacWorld Conference in San Francisco. Speculation has been swirling for the past six months that he will announce Apple’s entry into the cell phone market with a device called the iPhone. As usual, Apple has viciously denied these rumors, stating that they aren’t interested in this area. And also as usual, no one believed them. 

10:00 AM comes around, and the hall is packed. Finally, the music dies down and Steve takes the stage. He thanks everyone for showing up, and tells them that “we’re gonna make some history together today.” As per usual, he starts the show off with some stats (number of iPods sold, iTunes songs sold, etc.). Next up, he introduces the Apple TV, formerly known by it’s codename, iTV. He demoes the features, gives it a price tag, and sets a timeline for the release date.

The screen is suddenly displaying the Apple logo, illuminated from behind. He tells the crowd that he has been waiting for this day for “two and a half years.” He goes into this big speech about how “every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” He notes how Apple has been very fortunate to have a few of these in their history. “In 1984, we introduced the Macintosh. It didn’t just change Apple, it changed the whole computer industry.” “In 2001, we introduced the first iPod, and it didn’t just change the way we all listened to music, it changed the entire music industry.” “Well, today, we’re introduced three revolutionary products of this class.” This is met with hushed applause, while everyone is waiting for Steve to say the word they’re all waiting for: iPhone. He says the first is a “widescreen iPod with touch controls.” The crowd goes into a round of cheering and applause. The second, “is a revolutionary mobile phone.” The audience goes absolutely ballistic. There is screaming and clapping and absolute wildness. And finally, “a breakthrough internet communication device.” As predicted, this is met with more of a held back cheering. “An iPod, a Phone, and an internet communications device. An iPod, a phone, and an internet communications device. An iPod, a phone. Are you getting it? These are not three separate devices. This is one device. And we are calling it iPhone. Today, Apple reinvents the phone.”

Whenever Apple announces that Steve Jobs will be keynoting an event, the whole technology world begins to speculate what he will announce. No other person can hold an entire community on edge like this. People get extremely worked up and excited. They know that something quite awesome is about to happen, and they can’t wait.

Many bloggers have called this effect the “reality distortion field,” meaning that geeks everywhere get a sense of awe as they await the big day. Speculation on the products to be announced, and even the event itself, begins months in advance. Of course, no one knows anything for sure. Apple is one of the most secure companies, as far as trade secrets go. The field usually doesn’t kick in until a couple of weeks before hand. And when the day finally comes, the tech world comes to a virtual standstill. Everyone holds their breath as they wait to hear what comes next.

Steve Jobs - My Epiphany

As many of us know, Steve Jobs made his first public appearance at the Apple event on Wednesday. This was after months of leave due to a liver transplant. To my surprise, Steve actually took a few minutes to address the issue. In that time, I actually felt a lot of emotion. I was thrilled to see him there more then anything. And, while he was looking rather thin, his spirits seemed high. But, I learned much more about Steve from his words, and body language then anything else.

I can't speak for everyone, but I see Mr. Jobs as an icon, and to some extent… an idol. I think he is truly one of the great minds of our time, and that goes beyond Apple products. He is one of the best businessmen/salesperson on the planet. I honestly believe if Steve Jobs endorsed a sock, people would flock to it. He just has that way. And, when you add in the Apple products, it is taken up to another level. 

I think the rumors are somewhat true; Steve Jobs puts on the market only things he would use. And, while the perfection of Apple products can be debated… there is absolutely no question that Steve himself is a perfectionist. Which is what made the first three minutes of the keynote the most interesting for me.

For the first time, I feel I saw a different side of Steve Jobs. Vulnerable, but not weak; Honest, yet not revealing. It really was one of the first times that I have realized, just how great Steve Jobs really is. It was in those three minutes that  I saw that he was more than just the CEO of a technology company.

For some reason, seeing Steve talk about his health, helped me see once again, that Apple is not a great company by chance. It is successful because of the people behind the company. And from now on… when I think of Steve Jobs, I will not see him as the Apple CEO. Instead, I will see him as one of the most interesting, smart people of our time. Because; regardless of how much of a perfectionist he may be… he is an average person, with an above average understanding of the business world.