In response to Apples unveiling of iCloud, Lion, & iOS 5 this week I thought I`d update my first review of the Ipad 1.
Here were my complaints now appended in light of the Keynote.
1;
IPad can`t stand alone.
The fact that it needs the support of another computer to even boot up at first start up is a big disadvantage.
It seems iCloud has fixed this problem and after iOS 5 all iOS devices will become stand alone computers.
Very nice.
2;Lack of a file manager.
This is a deal breaker, I can create files (sometimes) I can view files,(sometimes) I can even save files but I can`t manipulate them.
I can`t put them where I want when I want without additional apps to do so.
This one doesn`t look like it`s going to change for iOS devices.
In fact after hearing Steve Jobs talk about how they`ve spent the past 10 years trying to eliminate file management trees I felt lucky the finder still existed in Lion.
3;Can`t print
Again, must purchase additional apps to do the most basic of computer tasks.
With 3rd party software I`m able to turn my PC or laptop into a print server to print wirelessly from iOS devices.
Also, many more printers are being made with Airplay capabilities built in.
While far from perfect it`s a workable solution.
4;Can`t attach a file in e-mail. WTF?
I cannot think of a more simplistic basic computer task than attaching a file to an e-mail yet it can`t be done on this machine.
This is simply stupid.
Praise the gods above someone in Cupertino finally figured they didn`t want to take e-mail back 20 years!!
This has been fixed in iOS 5.
5;Ipad "Photos" app.
Need I say any more?
Oh wait! I can buy YET ANOTHER APP TO DO THAT!
The Photos app that comes standard has been upgraded in iOS so you can now organize your pics into different folders that you can even create within the Photo app.
Again somebody fixed what was obviously broken.
6;File Transfer;
No simple way to get a file from another computer onto the iPad.
Put a USB port on the damn thing already…JESUS!!
Airdrop in lion seems to have beautifully fixed this problem with wireless file transfer.
The only easy solution prior was third party apps working through a web browser, far from ideal.
It wasn`t specifically noted that this feature works within iOS but I`m assuming it does and if not I`m sure some smart developer will quickly see the benefits to coming up with a nice App that does.
Not to mention iCloud itself will eventually make this problem obsolete.
Now that iCloud, iOS 5, and Lion are here Apples mobile hardware finally seems able to work to it`s full potential.
Who is always saying Apple never releases anything before they get it right?
Just kidding.
Well done Apple.
