2010: the year of the iPad

For better or worse, 2010 saw the release of a large number of technology gadgets. However, one might argue that none captured public attention like Apple’s iPad (although Apple’s iPhone 4 gave it a run for its money). The iPad may be more impressive, however, as it’s the first in what’s sure to be a profitable new line for Apple, and a benchmark for future tablet PC makers to overcome.After launching on April 3, 2010, the iPad grew to account for 95 of Tablet PC sales at the end of Q2 20104.19 million products. How to account for this unparalleled success? It would be easy to cite the sheer strength of the Apple name as a big reasonand we’re sure this came into play to some extentbut no product can survive without the features to back it up. We all saw this during the iPhone 4 “death grip” fiasco.The iPad certainly brought something new to the tableor rather, to the tablet. Unlike many previous tablet models, the iPad could be controlled by touch, rather than by stylus. This made the product one with Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, replicating the easy portability and access of those devices. Another excellent addition was 3G wireless access on some modelsa great alternative for those times when Wi-Fi access is not available. Being able to easily sync your tablet on a PC running iTunes also made the iPad easy to pick up for regular Apple consumers.Will the iPad be replacing laptops anytime soon? Even in the year after the product’s launch, it’s hard to tell. For some people, the first edition of the iPad will not have the features necessary to take the place of their favorite personal computer. Some features that have hindered the iPad upon its release are the minimal file-sharing abilities and the absence of a camera, USB port, and HDMI output. While some of these may be included in the inevitable iPad 2, some may simply be a result of the device’s primary purpose. For example, in the case of the missing USB port, Charlie Sorrell (CNN, Wired News) wrote, “The iPad is meant to be an easy-to-use appliance, not an all-purpose computer. A USB port would mean installing drivers for printers, scanners, and anything else you might hook up.”One thing you can’t deny about the iPad is that it has set the stage for future tablets, after years of stagnation in the field. We can’t wait to see what 2011 brings.