I Iz Applez Fanboy

For those hiding under a rock, Apple announced it’s latest piece of tech to “change (and likely save) the world” (scare quotes mine). The iPad, a larger version of the iPhone or iPod Touch, with a tablet computer feel, was announced by Steve Jobs today.

I was very excited for this announcement. Still am for that matter. The iPad is, I suspect, likely to be a major game changer for a lot of folks looking at a cheap laptop or netbook. And, there’s a while lot to like about the device:

• 10 inch screen (though actually it’s a bit less)
• works in portrait or landscape modes
• uses the iPhone OS, so it will be very intuitive
• 10 hour battery life with 1 month (!!!) standby capability (according to Apple. Take all manufacturer estimates of battery life with a grain or two of salt)

Additionally, Apple made some very good decisions along with the hardware design:

• They’ll be releasing real productivity apps at reasonable prices – $9.99 each for iWork chunks.
• No lock in with a single cellular network, although they’re continuing to partner with AT&T for available 3G service.
•Making a dockable external keyboard available.

All of which makes it an excellent choice for more than just a media consumer appliance; it can readily be used as a business too as well.

But, they didn’t do everything right. It has a few flaws too:

• No built in 3G capability. You’ll have to fork over more for that – about $150 more if memory serves correctly. The base model, regardless of SSHD (i.e., flash memory) size, will only have wifi networking capability.
• No camera. At all – front or rear facing.
• No contract option for cheaper cell network data coverage. I know, I listed this as a plus; sue me, it goes both ways. You can sign up with any data carrier for their (ripoff) rates, or not sign a contract with ATT for “unlimited” data at $30 a month with no minimum service term. I’d almost like to see someone offer a subsidized price for one even with a minimum data plan contract. That add-on charge for Apple to include a 3G radio is a little outragious.

That said. Yeah, I still want one.

Minor work rant before the good stuff

I don’t like bringing up work here. Trying to keep professional and home life (and other avocations) separate. But… I’m really tired of being the one who has to stand athwart progress and shout “Stop!”

As I think I mentioned, I’m the web communications boss for the agency that pays my salary. Main content guru for the website. Which, also means I have an interest in social media/Web 2.0-type stuff. Kinda fits, doesn’t it?

Well, as shouldn’t be too surprising, lots of folks in my agency want to jump right into blogging, wikis, Twitter and so forth. The Department (the level above my agency) wants us – with justification – to go slow. Legal, privacy, security issues. Can’t be the agency that exposed individuals’ private information to the public because we want to play in the social media sandbox.

What’s really frustrating is that the calls for moving into this field are just that: calls to move in. They don’t really have a firm grasp of how they want to use a blog, just that they want one. I agree with this lady that Twitter isn’t a strategy, blogging isn’t a strategy. These things are tools for communicators, not substitutes. I don’t think we’ll ever get to the point where we can say anything we want on behalf of our employers. There has to be some guidance, and yes, some CYA.

Okay, rant over. Its Friday evening; I’m on the way home writing this. Headed down to SW Virginia tonight for my daughter’s All-Virginia Elementary Chorus concert tomorrow. I don’t want to think too hard. I just want to be a proud Daddy.