iPad

Please take my word that I have no intention of adding to the near-nauseating iPad hysteria without merit. Because I am a professional software and web developer I have been asked by more than a handful of people, “What’s the deal with the iPad? Is it really that great?” My opinion on the matter has been steadfast. I believe that for certain demographics it will be overpriced and frustratingly limited, while for others it will enhance the landscape of their daily lives.

It was fascinating to watch the video of the 2.5 yr old girl play with her first iPad. Without a doubt, today’s youth are the obvious beneficiaries of technological advancements. But I’m curious about another group of people that have historically been separated from advancing technology. A group that has been walled off by steep learning curves, overwhelming options, and even, to some degree, dexterity contraints.

I’m talking about our elderly and I’m wondering if the iPad will fill a longstanding void for them.

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By now many of you have probably already seen the embedded video above where a 2 and a half year old handles the new Apple iPad.

It’s fascinating to note how her frustrations match much of a full grown adult:

She had the same frustration as many adults, where touching the screen-edge with your thumb while holding the iPad blocks input to all home screen icons.

Notice also that she was confused by the splash page for FirstWords Animals, her favorite spelling game: Because the start button looked like a graphic, rather than a conventional button, she couldn’t figure out how to start the game.

I think this is extremely telling about us as humans, mobile technology, and hints on strategy for developing mobile products.

[Read more…] about Children, Mobile Technology, and Product Modeling for the Future

It’s only been 24 hours since we’ve gotten an iPad and I’ve already downloaded and trialed 50 apps. This might not be an incredibly large number, but it feels like it to me.

So far the iPad has given me mixed feelings in terms of use, value, and productivity – For example I had imagined that using the WordPress App for the iPad was going to completely suck but when I spent time this morning in Starbucks moderating comments and it wasn’t too bad.

Well, until I realized that I needed some photo-editing capabilities and my Photoshop was not readily available.

*sigh*

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