My iPad Prediction Followup (or, Why I’m Probably Still Getting a Kindle)

So a couple days before the big iPad announcement, I posted a few thoughts on what this new device would have to bring to the table in order to separate me from my cash. Without regurgitating it all here, my hopes were for:

1. A 10-inch high-res display for video content
2. An e-book reader
3. Pressure-sensitive drawing
4. Support for an external keyboard
5. A price point of $599

I think I did pretty well, all things considered.

The iPad’s screen is just shy of 10 inches, 9.7 to be exact. Ironically, that’s the exact size of the Kindle DX screen. The resolution is 1024×768, which isn’t quite 720p HD (which is 1280×720). I’m sure it will still be a stunning display. And at least so far, the iTunes Store doesn’t have HD movies anyway, so who cares?

Steve also announced the e-book reader named, originally enough, iBooks. From what little I’ve seen so far, it seems to have the usual functionality of any of the hardware and software readers already available. And to go with this new reader, they will be opening a companion to the iTunes and Apps stores called…wait for it…the iBook Store.

While I think this was only natural, I have to wonder how many books will be available. As I mentioned in my previous post, one of my top reasons for considering a Kindle was to rebuild my programming library (php, javascript, css, etc) in electronic form. Just one beefy O’Reilly book can add a lot of weight to a backpack. But to be able to carry around my entire library on something the size and weight of a single paperback, now that’s compelling. So we’ll see how many of my target books will actually exist when the iBook Store launches. I wonder how many tech books there will even be.

As for drawing on the iPad, while I think it can be done, I don’t foresee me using it for anything “real”. It will not come with any native drawing app pre-installed. In the keynote, they showed an existing iPhone app, called Brushes, which sells for a reasonable $4.99.

Frankly, I’m surprised this kind of app is popular on the iPhone already. I mean, trying to draw anything with fat fingers on a small screen has to be an exercise in futility. The iPad would make it easier, but at the end of the day you’re still finger painting, and I doubt there’s any way to vary brush width based on pressure. Some folks have done some interesting pieces with it, though.

One thing that might make it useful, at least for quick sketching, is if it worked with something like the Pogo Stylus. Haven’t heard anything yet, but I can’t imagine it wouldn’t work. I just don’t think I’d want to draw a Status:THIS strip with it.

One thing I got completely right, is the iPad does support an external keyboard. It can use a keyboard both via Bluetooth or a special iPad keyboard dock.

I was also pretty shocked at the iPad’s price tag. I really thought $599 would be a long shot, but was floored when Steve revealed the $499 starting price. I was also sort of disappointed that there would now be a total of SIX different sku’s for this thing. This was based on different storage sizes and models with and without 3G.

So where does this leave me? Honestly, I still kinda think I’ll buy a Kindle, and I’ll tell you why. First, as an e-book reader, I think it’s too big. This is exactly why I ruled out the bigger Kindle DX very early on. A book should feel like a book. Holding a digital reader that’s closer to the size of a magazine just seems kind of awkward.

Second, I think it’s highly unlikely the iBook Store will launch with many (if any) of the type of books I’m looking to fill a reader with. I’m doubtful they’d show up even within the first few months. And Amazon has the books I want available for Kindle right now.

As for it being an alternative drawing device, I don’t think so. I think it would be kind of clunky and a poor replacement, or even supplement, to my beloved Cintiq.

There is one more reason I’d be hesitant to buy an iPad that I hadn’t considered before. I’ve given it a lot of thought and, frankly, I don’t know how safe I’d feel using a gorgeous, full-color, 10-inch display on a MARTA rail train. I’ve seen a few Kindles on my commute and at least they give the illusion that you’re reading an actual book, especially if you have a nice case for it. I generally feel pretty safe on the train, but there are nights coming home late that I’d probably not even take an iPad out of my backpack. And that kind of defeats the purpose.

All this said, as an Apple fanboy, it’s entirely possible I’ll do a 180 the minute I hold one in my hands. And who knows, it might not be as awkward for reading books as I’d feared. But for now, Kindle is still my front runner.

Tags: Apple, appletablet