So now we know what the iPad is, and what it does. It's got plenty of interesting features, including some that haven't been talked about much (including accessibility options and projector support). But in many ways, the more interesting questions are what it doesn't do.
Let's build a list. Here's a few things for starters
No USB:The iPad basically sports an iPod connector, and not a lot else. This limits the things you can plug into the device, so no 3G dongles, no thumb drives full of files, no non-iPod accessories.
No SD card slot: Along the same lines as USB. Including an SD card reader is pretty normal for lots of the netbooks that the iPad will go up against (largely for photography), and it also comes as standard in recent Mac laptops.
No camera: at all Lots of people had thought that the iPad might include a camera or two to help turn it into a handy videoconferencing platform - just imagine toting one around to speak to the office, or all those grandparents able to tune in for a chat with their families with a simple press of the finger. No joy on that front.
Screen limitations: The screen is not OLED (too expensive, I'd imagine) and there's no e-ink, meaning that long form reading is not as easy as electronic paper. Having said that, the screen is plenty for people who want to read it for short periods or scan it from their sofa or whatever. I think it's less of an issue than it may seem.
Screen limitations: The screen is not OLED (too expensive, I'd imagine) and there's no e-ink, meaning that long form reading is not as easy as electronic paper. Having said that, the screen is plenty for people who want to read it for short periods or scan it from their sofa or whatever. I think it's less of an issue than it may seem.
No Video out:There's no straightforward video out option, and may have to rely on workarounds or other hardware to do the job of getting video off the iPad to your TV. It's an interstitial device - not the place you keep most of your media.
Networking: There's no obvious networking options - how do you print a document you get emailed? How do you print the photos? I'm not convinced that the lack of Firewire or an Ethernet port are major problems
No CD/DVD drive: This is a problem for some new users, but would have clearly turned the iPad into a very different machine - and taken away from the company's strategy, which appears to be making iTunes the heart of most people's connection with Apple. Why should it include an optical drive when it can sell you everything you need from the iTunes store?
