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The iPad Questions Apple Won't Answer

Posted by kdawson on from the silence-speaks-volumes dept.

snydeq writes "Apple's reticence to reveal details prior to a product's launch is legendary. But when Apple extends this silence beyond a product's unveiling, historically this has meant that the product cannot deliver the functionality that analysts and journalists are asking about. InfoWorld's Galen Gruman lists eight key questions for the iPad, about all of which Apple has kept silent. Can you save and transfer documents to the iPad? Does the iPad support Microsoft Exchange email? Does the iPad support VPN? Configuration management? 'I have no doubt the iPad will be compelling to some users. But I now have major concerns that it will fulfill the potential beyond being an iTunes delivery screen that I and other industry observers saw,' Gruman writes."

2 of 671 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Just pollin' by JAlexoi · · Score: 1, Troll

    Average user will find out how to screw up anything.

  2. Re:Just pollin' by JAlexoi · · Score: 1, Troll
    Well, I understand that you are a Apple fanboy with BSDM fetish, since how could anyone write "iPod touch is already my websurfer of choice"!?!?!?! I mean I have iPod. It's good. But I will go for a larger screen any time. Even 10" is too small.

    - all those zillion apps that will be written for it

    - Don't be overconfident. 120'000 apps is still not a lot.

    People want to do things with their computers, they shouldn't have to worry about cleaning up the filesystem or other crap like that.

    There will be document editing, therefore there will be crap in their filesystem.

    Like iWork. Running an app like that is simply impossible on an iPhone. You could view a document, but editing a document would be very hard indeed. On the iPad it's perfectly doable

    Running, is one thing. Using is another. Document editing on small scale is possible, writing something will be a major PITA. You can't match typing speed on a touchscreen to a keyboard.

    With the iPad we are still stuck at the point where we stare at paper-specs and use them to determine the value and use of the device.

    I agree that we shouldn't. But the actual question is still unanswered by Apple. And the only magical and revolutionary thing about the device is the price. Stop pretending that they have all the answers.