Apple’s just released a new device called the iPad.

In my opinion, it just really looks like an oversized iPhone that isn’t going to be that useful. I mean, no camera? Still no multi-tasking abilities? The inability to support flash? A stylus pen would be a brilliant addition, too.

The name sounds funny, too. I mean…. don’t you think of pads when you hear the name iPad? Lol. And check out the video below. MadTV is awesome.

Though, to give it some good points, there ARE some things that I like.

Things I like

Like, their Notes thingy. I like that sidebar thingy, the ability to look at the list of different notes I’m working on, etc. I can already imagine a Productivity app appearing, making use of the extra space an iPad (the name is distracting… because it makes me want to laugh) has.

And their Calender thing. It looks bloody cool! I mean, you get the Month, Week and Day view all in one!

The iBook app seems pretty cool too, unfortunately it’s only available in the US, so that means it’s not going to happen here for quite some time yet.

And lastly, the iPad accessories. (Which makes me want to snicker, because what kind of accessories do you have for pads?) They look pretty darn cool, especially that keyboard thing. It’s definitely going to be useful, since the iPad (OH GOD THE NAME SERIOUSLY THE NAME) has iWork, so it’s gonna be useful.

iWork:

The price though…. doesn’t look too good. USD499 = about SGD701, not including stuff like shipping, etc. And that’s only for a 16GB iPad.

The one thing I would have really liked was a camera feature. I mean, if you have a camera, it’ll be like – TADA, awesomeness. Just imagine being able to have video chat or skype in your bed. You wouldn’t need a huge ass big heavy laptop overheating on your lap, but you’d have a nice beautiful screen to look at while you chat.

Another cooler feature would have been the ability to have more icons on your dock! Four…. is really not enough. Six would be nice. I mean, there’s space after all. Why not?

But… Let’s look on the bright side.

Ok. So while I was disappointed at first, after thinking about it, the iPad (okay, I’m starting to sort of get used to the name) has possibilities. Let’s say you’re going out for an interview. You can use the iPad to display your portfolio during the interview! It not only looks cool, it makes you seem cool too. For me, I could have used this to show the short films I’ve worked on to my interviewer, so they’d get an idea of what I’ve done.

And in a sense, I guess iPad has a plus point, being that its screen is bigger, as compared to the iPhone. I mean, there’s been times I wished my iPhone was bigger, so that it’d be easier to type and not strain my eyes (or thumbs).

Who the iPad is for

So. The iPad is probably perfect for you if you’re a photographer/designer/film director (or student)/business person for showing your clients (or interviewer) your work/portfolio BUT don’t want to take out your huge ass laptop; OR if you’re a really big fan of Apple’s stuff and want a device you can take anywhere that has a bigger screen that allows you to watch movies, surf the web, for eg, instead of using a laptop/desktop. Here’s more possibilities of what to do with an iPad from Photojojo.

But if you have an iPhone, and a laptop already, then this probably isn’t for you. In fact, I bet your first thought might have been “Stupid oversized iPhone” and feel disappointed because it wasn’t what you expected.

I might get this. One day. If it has a camera function thingy. And have a large wad of cash lying around to buy it just for fun.

It’s a want, not a need.

Other links to check out:

• An In-Depth Look at the Apple iPad from Mac.AppStorm
• iPad from Apple’s site