First off, I’m writing this post using the WordPress app for iPad (it works for both self-hosted and WordPress.com blogs). I started writing it using the iPad Safari browser but immediately ran into issues, which isn’t necessarily a shortcoming of the iPad’s browser. The WordPress editor, like many web apps, simply isn’t yet 100% compatible with the iPad browser.
While a lack of Flash has been the main topic of discussion around iPad/Web compatibility, the bigger issue is that many websites (Flash or not) will need at least some retooling to run properly on the iPad. In my limited use so far I ran into major issues with several Google apps, including Maps, Reader and Google Docs, while other sites like nytimes.com and amazon.com worked perfectly. Facebook mostly works but has a few issues.
No matter how annoyed you may be with all the hype, there is no question that the iPad is a magnificent device for media consumption. Within a few minutes of using the thing there is simply no denying it, and those that do deny it do so because they have, for reasons they themselves may not fully understand, decided to take an anti-iPad position. Fair enough. Given the almost religious zealotry of Apple enthusiasts, this is an understandable reaction. Wrong, but understandable.
But enough has been written about the basic virtues of the device for media and entertainment. I spend most of my time creating content rather than consuming it. I’m interested in how well, if at all, the device functions for day to day work stuff. I don’t imagine that the iPad will be a laptop replacement, but what about basic productivity tasks like email, calendaring and note taking?
Typing and Editing
I never learned how to type properly. In school I spent typing class, when I bothered to show up, designing band logos. By the time it mattered, it was too late. I had developed irreversible bad habits that never evolved beyond a somewhat effective but ugly six fingered technique that just barely gets the job done. For me the soft keys work just fine, but I can imagine they would be far from ideal for a real typist.
Editing is more of a challenge. I make lots of mistakes and often mangle my own work in an effort to improve it, relying heavily on the undo function to return my work to a prior, less sucky state. Most of the apps I’ve used, including this one and the built in apps like Mail lack an undo function. This is a software design issue and not an inherent limitation of the device itself. Apple’s own iWorks apps for instance do include undo. Regardless, I need undo in all my content creation apps, including Mail.
Productivity Tools
On my Mac and iPhone I use Things for GTD type task management and Evernote for note taking. The iPad versions of both of these apps are a joy to use, especially Things. The calendar app is on par with iCal and Contacts is the equal of Address Book.
Ultimately the utility of the iPad is entirely dependent on the apps. For now, I see myself using it for light email, note taking, calendar and task management. iWork seems promising and I plan to at least try it for document and presentation development, but I doubt It will be much more than a novelty for now. Same goes for OmniGraffle. I just can’t imagine being as productive with heavy content creation apps.
I do see the opportunity for future devices geared more for professional use that leverage many of the innovations first introduced with the iPhone and further refined with the iPad. Larger screens with multitouch interfaces for instances (think Minority Report meets the iPad). For now though my iPad will likely be relegated to content consumption and light content creation, like email and social media. Oh and by the way, after spending most of the weekend using the iPad, the iPhone feels freakishly small.