I can’t help but compare the iPad launch to that of the iPhone.  A similar anticipation, a similar hope for something revolutionary.

The difference is: there was already a need, and the iPhone delivered.

In 2007, smartphones really did suck, and the iPhone was the intuitive answer other companies had been fumbling around blindly for.  A simple device that made telephony easier.

• It managed contacts better.
• Ditto for voicemail.
• Even with the initial lack of MMS, text messaging was easier on the iPhone.

Not to mention it created a whole new economy of apps, and literally put the Internet in your pocket.  I could go on.

The iPad suffers from two problems: there is no direct need for it, nor does it adequately bridge anything.  What are its actual innovations?

• It’s a big iPhone.
• “We redid the Calendar app!”

Jobs claims the iPad offers the best Internet experience anywhere, but frankly, it was embarrassing to watch him attempt to scroll around the broken Flash sections of the New York Times.  (I believe the antiquated “netbook” can still watch YouTube without a specialized app).

There are some who argue this device is going to open the floodgates of a whole new way of computing.  I think it has the potential, but not until it offers something that can’t be substituted by existing technology.  ”Doing it cooler” isn’t enough.  It has to do it better.

I REMAIN PATIENT

However this might seem, I am still a believer in the Apple product line.  If there is enough support for the iPad, next year we’ll be seeing a much-improved model, with a front-facing camera for video chat, and perhaps a decent file structure system at last (Why can I not load PDFs onto my own device?  Until this is solved, the Kindle and the Nook still have a big chunk of the market).  When that happens, I’ll be dropping money down at my local Apple store.

Till then, I will stand by, let the early-adopters jump on the bandwagon, and pray this device doesn’t go the way of the AppleTV.

Related posts:

1. iPhone 3G S Will Make Moviemaking Easier
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The iPhone 3G S looks like it’s going to expand the kinds of things I can accomplish.  Here’s some of the things I’m looking forward to in the new model…

Compass
I’m still using the original 8GB iPhone 2G, so buying into the iPhone 3G S means I’ll also get access to great GPS navigation.  The Compass feature takes this to the next level.  Don’t think this is important?  Try shooting a movie in an unfamiliar city.  The iPhone lets you navigate like a local.

Improved Speed
I love my current iPhone, but when I really start pushing it, it ratchets along like a 19th-century carnival ride.  I think I am going to notice the accumulated time saved in hundreds of half-seconds throughout a normal day.

Increased Storage
I keep all my work as .m4v files on my iPhone, and it’s served me well.  More than once, I’ve whipped out the phone and given a potential client an instant look at what I do.  It’s a wow factor for them on several levels: the picture quality is breathtaking, and the Star Trek techno-cool aspect doesn’t hurt.

Problem is, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for the podcasts and music I want for myself (I highly recommend the TEDTalk podcast).  Now it’ll be easy and affordable for me to have room for both.

Video Recording
The implications here are obvious.  Whether I’m demo’ing a shot and emailing it to a VFX supervisor, or testing possible setups while I am scouting locations, video recording makes me a very happy director.

Reduced Cost
This is small but it’s refreshing to see the cost of the phones dropping.  Apple is making it too easy to justify buying this thing.  And do I have to mention the importance of saving money as a filmmaker?

3.0 Software Upgrade
If you already have an iPhone (or even an iPod Touch), you don’t need the iPhone 3G S to get some great updates.  Cut and paste (finally!), MMS support, and voice memos are just a few of the new upgrades.  I’m especially looking forward to the Notes Sync capability – I often jot down story ideas or production notes in the Notepad, and have to email it to myself to retrieve it. (NOTE: iPod Touch users will need to buy the 3.0 upgrade; it’s still free for iPhone users, however)

• • •

The only problems I see are coming from AT&T’s camp: MMS support won’t actually be available from AT&T until “late summer,” and there’s no sign on the horizon of when they’ll finally make tethering possible.  Megan Lavey at the Unoffical Apple Weblog has a great article about this very thing.

iPhone 3G S will be available June 18.  I’m probably going to hold off a few weeks before buying, to let Apple work out the kinks, but you can be sure I’ll be sneaking down to the AT&T store soon enough.

Related posts:

1. I’m waiting for iPad 2.0
2. Site Upgrades
3. Google’s Coming Monopoly on Knowledge