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Dear all, I’m making a personal change and I hope you all follow my lead.

As of last night, I’ve disconnected my Twitter account from Google Buzz.  For the foreseeable future, I don’t see myself going back either.  I encourage you all to make the change too.

After its release, and still a week or so later, I’ve found myself to be a big proponent of Google Buzz.  I think it’s a nifty concept which has the infrastructure to help build some interesting social interaction in the future once it gets off the ground running.

That being said, Twitter ruins the service.  Not only is it erratic, publishing old tweets whenever it seems to feel like it, it’s just pure noise as I’m already following your Twitter action on Twitter itself.  If I want to comment on it, give you my thoughts, or send you a tweet, I’ll do it on Twitter and not in Buzz.

Tweets are killing the service, building up a collection of useless information which blocks out posts from Google Reader or Buzz themselves that could actually be extremely useful or thought provoking.  I want to be able to talk about/start conversations on/and discuss your photos or shared stories from Reader and I want to be able to do it without tweets I’ve already read in between.

So that being said, I urge you all to follow me and disconnect your Twitter accounts from Buzz.  Maybe in the future we’ll see Buzz improve and Twitter integration will be worthwhile, but that time isn’t now and it’s widespread implementation by users is taking away from what could be a great service.

I’ll put this plainly.  You’re missing the point behind the iPad.

It’s been only 36 hours, but I feel a bit behind the eight ball in posting or giving my thoughts on the iPad.  The last day’s been crazy, but I’m glad I have a chance to be better late than never.  I’ve gotten a lot of questions about my thoughts on the device and hopefully the following collections of characters will help explain just why I like this device and will be a huge proponent of it for a while to come.

I know that many of you may put off my thoughts as simple Apple fanboyisms.  If you’ve already placed that thought into your mind before you even began reading the previous sentence that’s fine, I’ll never convince you otherwise.  While I’ve been a big Apple fan since purchasing my first Macbook four years ago, I suggest that you read my following paragraphs as being from a developers perspective.  While I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these devices, I really can’t wait to find time and think out ideas for this machine.  While we’re still rather novice developers at CollegeKidApp, we’ve already put together a rather interesting range of concepts which we really hope we can implement for the device in the near future.  I really can’t wait to see what some of the bigger and more experienced developers have up their sleeve as well.

For the most part, I just plan on responding to different criticisms I’ve been thrown from people I know.  I’ll probably go on large-ish tangents here and there as well.  The criticisms will be in italics, my responses in regular type.

What about the ugly 2 acres of outer bezel?

For those unaware, the bezel is the black outer ring around the phone screen.  The home button is found on the bezel and this black surface has been a huge point of criticism behind the new iPad.

For those who see the bezel as a problem, I want to ask you one question; where do you plan on placing your thumb when holding the device?  The iPhone doesn’t need such a large bezel because you hold the device with one hand and use your thumb.  However, you’re not going to hold a 10 inch device like you hold the iPhone.  You need that bezel for your thumb so you don’t accidentally touch the screen.  Jump to conclusions and trash it as you want, but maybe just give Apple the benefit of the doubt as they’ve probably gone through several prototypes and have thought about this a bit?  Maybe they actually know what they’re doing with the bezel being that big?

It has no multitasking

Alright, here’s the thing.  I’ll give you one app that could effectively use multitasking and that’s Pandora.  But here’s the catch-22; you can’t grant Pandora multitasking and not give it to every other app.  If you have used Android, you see where Apple finds flaws in this ideology in the fact that you need a third party application in order to force quit applications running in the background (I may be wrong about this, but fairly certain that the 3rd party app Task Killer is one of the only ways to do this?).  This decision is done entirely for performance enhancement.  This is still a mobile device based on mobile OS architecture and Apple wants it to run fast.  If you’ve seen videos of it in action, the thing is speedy.

You can’t keep device performance at that pace when FreeChess and AwesomeFreeRingtones are running in the background for no reason other than to collect data.  It would kill battery life and create a confusing experience for novice users.  If you want music, you have the music application which can run in the background.  However at a 10 inch screen, are you really going to be chatting on AIM and working in the same window?  The iPhone has shown that push notifications can do an adequate job at multitasking while still preserving precious battery life.  Apple knows what they’re doing and this is all about ultimate user performance.

If you really want to do 15 things at once, this isn’t the device to for you and you’re missing the point.  More on that later.

Why would I want a Giant iPod that’s too big to take anywhere, in a practical sense when I already have a MacBook and iPod Touch.

In some respects, I’m quite disappointed that Apple is actually requiring a Mac or PC to sync this device with.  Here’s the thing, if you see this as a big iPod or shitty Macbook, you’re missing the point.  In some respects, I don’t think Apple tends to sell this to people who are currently happy with their computer set up.

This device is meant for the following; imagine your computer craps out (as mine is currently in the process of doing).  You’re a power user and are looking to spend $1000-1400 on a new system.  Instead of buying a $1200 Macbook Pro, they’re looking for people who are interested in this device as well as a $500 MacMini.  That’s why they’ve priced this device so aggressively at $499 instead of applying an Apple tax to bump the base model to $799.

I want you to keep a count of your typical computer usage over the next couple of days.  You probably spend a majority of your time checking out blogs, reading e-mail, listening to music, and maybe watching a few funny YouTube videos.  90% of the time, this device is going to cover a majority of your needs.

Yeah, this device isn’t for you if you’re a heavy programmer or if you don’t edit video.  But you don’t piss on people who ride they bike to work when they only live two blocks away from their office building.  The ride a bike and you may take a car.  You each use different devices because they serve different purposes.  This device is made for people who browse the internet and do so often.  Yeah, the thing isn’t going to run Photoshop CS4 but either is my toilet.  This device is for browsing the Internet and reading e-mail, and it’s going to do it better than any other option on the market. While you may not like that it won’t run Final Cut Pro, Apple feels that web use is currently a majority of individual’s computer time and I have to agree.  The iPad is a typical computer simplified and I definitely agree that this is where the market is headed.

It’s a glorified iPhone that doesn’t have a phone, or a camera. In fact, out of the box, it doesn’t support SMS.

Did anyone really ever expect a 10 inch device to replace cell phones?  If you did, I’m sorry that you had expectations way outside the realm of plausibility.  You’re still going to carry a phone on you.  It doesn’t have phone or SMS capabilities because that would raise the device price and push it out of reach of a consumer segment.  If you really want a phone and SMS that bad, you can download Skype which will be available over 3G once they update the application.  The device has a microphone and keyboard, so you can use it for these purposes if you really want to put the money into the apps which will make it possible.  However, Apple is correct in not inflating the price $50-150 dollars per device for everyone else just because you want another device to send text messages with.  Google Voice just received a web app, check it out if you want to text on this thing that bad.  Sorry it doesn’t do your laundry or microwave popcorn either.

As for a camera, in this size of device the best you would possibily get is a camera similar in capacity to a cell phone camera.  How many cell phones really come without cameras today and will the people who buy those cell phones really ever consider this device?  Again, why jack up the device price because a small segment of people need cameras on everything they own including their toaster ovens?  As for the lack of video conferencing, this argument is somewhat valid but seriously, when was the last time you participated in a video conference?  If you really partake in them daily, you have to realize that you’re the exception and that such capabilities aren’t necessary for such a device.

The 10inch MSI tablet will be launching with a base price of $500 and not have ebook format restrictions, play all my media, AND multitask.

So go spend $500 on a device from an unproven company and let me know how satisfied you are in six months.  I hate to be an ass, but any company can come out and promise the world.  The iPad will run a Kindle app and Nook app, which will probably be less restricting than Apple’s format if you’re really worried about freedom.  What’s this device’s battery life?  Does it have 140,000 applications available at launch?  What operating system is it based on?  How responsive is its touch screen and gestures?  Apple has a strong reputation on its side (whether you want to admit it or not.  even to those of you who want to put down the iPad, how many of you own an iPod? thought so.)  Frankly put, I know what I’m getting with Apple.  I have no idea what I’m getting with this supposedly amazing device.  If the MSI tablet is the hottest touch device on the planet in 12 months, I’ll eat my words.  But for now, I’m placing my money on the iPad.

Consumers wanted a tablet computer, Apple gave them a bigger iTouch. Apple pissed on their fans.

Why do you think Apple didn’t name this device the iTablet?  Tablets have a horrible history of being clunky devices based off desktop keyboard and mouse interfaces.  What Apple has done is taking the iPhone OS, an OS built from the ground up around touch interface, and up-scaled it for a larger and more powerful device. 
When tablets have failed, its because they’ve been based off operating systems which were never designed to be interacted with through touch.  The iPhone OS has shown to be a huge success (and if you deny that, I don’t know how you could deny the 75 million iPhones/iPod Touches sold worldwide).  Yeah, this device may look more similar to an iPhone than OS X, but that’s because Apple made the smart decision of basing the OS around touch and not around mouse and keyboard.

I suggest you watch the keynote from yesterday which can be found here, and feel free to skip until the tech demos at about the 35 minute mark.  These developers were given two weeks to work with the iPad SDK.  TWO WEEKS.  And they’ve already put out applications which aren’t possible on the iPhone and are in many respects more intuitive and innovative than anything on a regular operating system right now.  Just check out the level of innovation in the MLB.com app.  You can’t find that anywhere else.  Just wait until all developers worldwide are given 6-12 months with this thing.  You’re going to see shit which is going to blow your mind.

What about Flash?  The internet is all about Flash.

I suggest that you read the following post by John Gruber which can be found here.  He is far more elegant than I am and he gets to the point in half the time it would take me.  Simply stated, Apple doesn’t include Flash because it is a technology they can’t rely on.  If it breaks, they have absolutely no way to fix it.  If it gives the user a poor experience, they can’t help improve it.  It’s a closed platform and relies upon the hand of Adobe which has yet to prove that they are capable of putting out a solid version of Flash for Mac, let alone for mobile devices.

In the long run, Apple is only helping the Internet world in pushing HTML5 standards.  Do some research on HTML5 with sites like YouTube or Vimeo.  Big video sites which currently rely on Flash are switching to HTML5 and H.264 because it is more open and easier on your processor.  Apple’s ahead of the curve and pushing for a more open standard.  It’s almost hilarious to hear arguments of “Apple hates open computing and won’t allow Flash” when in reality, in rejecting the standard they are helping maintain more open standards and better compatibility.

You may not see it now, but Flash won’t be the technology behind video and media in 6-18 months.  We can thank Flash for helping to get us to the point which we are at now, but it’s a crippling technology which is only holding the Internet back.  I don’t think anyone who has ever used an iPhone or iPod Touch is really missing the “Spank the monkey and win $100” Flash ads which have populated the Internet, and no one is really ever going to miss it on the iPad.  If anything, the lack of Flash is helping push toward a better browsing experience for everyone else.

The name iPad sounds like a tampon.

I’ll be honest, I kinda agree with you on that one.  Then again, the most popular and most profitable video game system of the current generation shares its name with a slang term for urine.  From what I can tell, that shitty name really hasn’t hurt sales too much.

The iPad is tied to AT&T.

I hate AT&T as much as the next person, but give credit where credit is due.  Apple has been able to work out a deal where you can get unlimited Internet with no contract for a mere $30 a month.  You’re not going to find that anywhere else on a device which doesn’t double as a phone as well.  Apple may have stuck with AT&T against the hopes of many, but they’ve worked out a hell of a deal. 
Seriously, if you think that this fee is too ridiculous, THERE IS NO CONTRACT.  Apple has even provided a WiFi only iPad at a lower cost for people like you.  Don’t pay it.  No one is forcing you to commit to AT&T and they’re reasonable pricing plan.

What about not being able to freely download music/apps/files via Safari?

The device will load up and view .doc, .pdf, .ppt, and a variety of other files straight in the the browser or e-mail.  It’s not going to run executable files because you have the App Store.  Lets be honest, how many other file types do you really need to run that are truly legal?  And if they are legal, this isn’t the full fledged device you should run them on.  Applications can save whatever they want, so most things you would consider as specific “file types” are saved internally within applications without you even knowing what type they truly are.  Again, this isn’t a device which you’re going to edit video on.  But it is going to do a majority of what most typical users need a computer for.  No, it’s not going to run your torrents but lets not even begin to argue that such behavior is legitimate.

It’s supposed to be something I carry around like a book, yet has a fragile glass case and a back that will certainly scratch to all hell when its placed next to notebooks and the such.

I really don’t know how to explain this besides that my 2 and a half year old iPod Touch which I’ve always used without a case is still working perfectly fine.  Any friend I’ve had with a Macbook or iMac has had much better luck than other friends who’ve run PCs when it comes to product life.  Looking at the bezel, I’m starting to believe that Apple happened to make it as big as it is in order to slightly increase surface area and thus allow for greater tension.  Glass really shouldn’t scratch unless it’s placed with items which are harder than glass; and few materials fit that description other than diamond.  So unless you plan on placing your iPad in a bag full of diamonds, you should be just fine.  If it’s that big of a deal, buy yourself a case?

It is almost too niche of a product.  No SD/USB without attachment. Why not have this integrated?

I really want you to think as to how often you use these products?  With allowing Bluetooth keyboards, Apple has admitted that this device has multiple purposes in different situations.  Let those who want an SD reader have it.  However, Apple has built a sexy device which you just can’t give an SD reader/USB port/HDMI output to without greatly expanding upon the size.  If you really need an SD reader, add the small attachment.  However, I’d argue that you probably don’t use that SD reader as much as you think you do.  Apple is betting on that too and I have to agree with them on this decision.

As an ebook reader it lacks the “e-ink” technology were the whole purpose is to make reading easier on your eyes.

Go find me a color e-ink display that’s available in any device out now, I dare you.  E-ink can be great, but Apple has shown that this device is for a lot more than just reading books.  Those who want to primarily read can buy a Kindle or Nook, but a majority of people want music, video, Internet, and more.  The iPad offers this at the sacrifice of e-ink, but I don’t think too many people are too upset.  I’ll take YouTube and 140,000 apps over e-ink any day.

No “open” SDK for developers.

Have you ever even looked at the OS SDK?  Because I have and regardless of the faults, its the best system available for developers today.  How many apps do you have on the Palm Pre?  The Blackberry?  Android?  Windows Mobile?  The Zune?  It’s not close to 140,000.  Apple has provided a flexible system that’s proven to be highly profitable.  If their system is too closed for you, build a web app or move your business somewhere else.  You’ll be begging for Apple to take you back.

This isn’t the most revolutionary device ever.

Really?  Give me a better example of a product out in the next six months which will have as big of an impact on the computer industry?  Let’s wait 12 months and look back and I bet you’ll be saying iPad.

This is probably the longest blog post I’ve ever written and enough for tonight.  I’ll update tomorrow or this weekend as I see fit.