The iPad is the latest craze in technology on the go. Apple has taken the iTouch and made it bigger and better. With the large screen and boatload of features it is not lacking on anything other than maybe a still and video camera and cell phone that would make it a truly all in one personal tech device. Who knows that may be coming next because a "take a photo" option is given on the iPad however that feature is not avaliable at this time. It has the ability to replace many devices that are carried by society today like MP3 players, PDAs, and e-readers. It also has an impressive video player and photo display that makes carrying paper photos obsolete.
Some may argue that the iPad is a 21st century briefcase. (Waller, n.d.)Everything that a user could need can be stored in the iPad from presentations, to contact lists, and contract information and can be printed using the AirPrint feature. No more carrying around pages and pages of inforamtion to weigh the user down or to loose.
As for a device that may take the iPads place I have not the slightest idea. I think that Apple will continue to upgrade and make the iPad better and better with newer versions. There are going to be other companies that will try their hand on their own version of the iPad. However just like the iPod, I believe that Apple will continue to be on the cutting edge of personal technology and other companies will race to keep up with thier new innovations.
Resources:
Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake
Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Waller, J. (n.d.). A history of the briefcase. Ezine Articles, Retrieved from
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-the-Briefcase&id=3420788
Hi Tabitha,
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy of the iPad to a 21st century suitcase which carries, of course, much more than its traditional counterpart.
Word on the street is that the next generation iPad will be released in February and that it will port a camera tool. I think the sequence of events is a marketing ploy? I am not an early adopter of first generation technologies as I know enhancements are around the corner!
I don't know anybody who has any complaints about the iPad. We are all too busy downloading the latest iPad app. I also read somewhere that since Flash is not compatible with the iPad, many are adjusting their products to meet the html platform of the iPad. Will the iPad trump the popularity of Flash or is this a stump on the diffusion curve? What do you think?
Thanks, Soraya (aka rayaray)
Tabitha and Soraya
ReplyDeleteYour post was a great synopsis of how iPads have become an all-in-one technological device that eliminates the need for carrying large amounts of printed data or having different digital gadgets for listening, reading, watching, or creating media. Our posts were very similar because we both mentioned that iPads are replacing MP3 Players, PDAs, and e-readers. Without a doubt, adding a camera tool to the iPad will be the next wave of improvement. According to Bagh (2010), “Apple has approved Skyfire’s app for translating Flash code into HTML5 to run Flash videos.” In the future, I think we will continue to see Apple improve on their amazing development of the iPad.
Bagh, C. (2010, December 23). Apple opens gates for Adobe Flash on iPads; Approves SkyFire App. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/94906/20101223/apple-opens-gates-for-adobe-flash-on-ipad-approves-skyfire-app.htm
Wow!! Great post and analogy to the briefcase I never thought of it that way. Like you I am still a little unsure as to what will take it's place. I do feel like you and believe other companies will make their own versions but not sure what can take its place. Great tetrad and post!!
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