Now I am actually over the novelty factor, I promise.
No handwriting recognition continues to nag at me, since I really want to hand write notes.
The weight is more troublesome than I imagined.
HOWEVER, I’M STILL IN LOVE.
Reading books is far better than I imagined. iBooks is far better than Kindle, but the selection of books is absolutely pitiful. Watching videos is also fantastic (though no Flash means no Hulu). In fact, this is indeed the greatest media player ever, regardless of whether you are enjoying text, images, video, games, or a combination of all four. And yes, it is a great work tool: Notes is wonderful, and Keynote blows Powerpoint away.
But it is the form factor that is most unusual. This is a device to share. It is an elegant invitation to collaborate and discuss. A game board (Scrabble!), a video, an MRI (well, I am married to a neurologist).
And the angled mini-platform is a surprising revelation.
I thought I’d have some fabulous iPad case in my future, like my beautiful red leather SENA iPhone case, but nothing offered the angle of the Apple case, which I used for the first time this morning tee up the NYT, yes, an hour before the paper landed on my doorstep. Still think NYT Editor’s Choice is a mediocre offering, but I’m getting used to it.
BUT THE CASE! how mundane and low tech and how it changes everything. The slightly slippery feel of the iPad is gone, which is a good thing. Even the weight seems more bearable. The angle suddenly makes the display seem more intuitive. Typing is far easier. (Duh, look at your keyboard….now you remember why those little legs are there for the 15 degree tilt.)
I can’t help but wondering what the HP Slate will be like. If the handwriting recognition is great, I will be sorely tempted. I justified the iPad purchase when my daughter ran off with my netbook….guess I could try that again!