If you have not already read Jim Conway’s great post on why the iPad is the way it is, check it out here. After reading a lot on the pros and cons of the Apple iPad I thought I’d share some of my wishes (geek speak = “Feature Requests”) for the next “big thing.” To reiterate what Jim stated, the iPad was built for a particular audience. Apple has made that point clear, but who says you can’t ask for something new based on the technology of the iPad?
Here’s my wish list for the next Apple touchscreen über geek device:
1. A built in iSight Camera. Hopefully they have it face the user like a MacBook, not on the back of the product like an iPhone. Think of how cool it would be to Skype or video iChat live on this.
2. Have true DVI output. It is already there, but it is really a dock adapter and not something that you can just plug and play. You have to buy another part. A mini DVI output would be great. Also support higher than 480p video.
3. Include GPS technology. It seems today that everything else has it.
4. More Ports. DVI, USB, Firewire, Micro/Mini USB – anything. Give me some way to connect to this with my peripherals.
5. Optical drive – While I’m not saying install a DVD Drive into the side of this, the issue is already solved by your own wireless technology/software solution (Remote Disk).
6. The Operating System. Please include an option to run in a normal Mac OSX operating environment. While I love my iPod Touch and can’t imagine a day without it, the OS is limiting and I accept that due to its portability. With the über geek device I desire, it would be nice to be able to load and run full applications.
7. A pen stylus. I love the touch interfaces, but drawing with my shaky finger is remedial at best. This was very evident at the Apple Store this weekend. I had to try and sign my name on their touch interface with my finger, and let me tell you, it was messy (lol).
A valid argument against designing a new über geeky device is that Apple already solved these issues with the Macbook Air. And while that product is great, it does not have a full screen touch/tablet experience with it. It is still just a laptop. A new device is the answer – a marriage of the Air and iPad. Power and portability.
Can you imagine taking a device like this to a client for a presentation? You could have Photoshop loaded, plug it directly into the projector and use it as a substitute Wacom tablet? Awesome. You would only need the machine, a DVI adapter and a Power cord (maybe). Huzzah, bring on the future and bring it on quickly!
