BradGroux.com - Blogger, Geek, Know It All, Smartass.

Yesterday the makers of the Jesus Phone announced the next game changing device in their impressive lineup, or did they? There is no debating that the Apple iPad is a sleek looking device, but underneath that finish are there flaws? I’m going to break down twelve reasons the iPad sucks.

01. No Multi-Tasking
The big elephant in the room is the fact that just like the iPhone, you can’t run two applications at the same time on the iPad. This means, that if you’re working on a presentation in Keynote that you can’t get pictures or information at the same time. For you to find an image you’d need to save and close your presentation, open Safari, find your image, copy it (can’t save it), close your browser, then reopen Keynote and paste it into your presentation.

02. Closed Platform (DRM)
The huge problem with the iPhone platform since it was launched two and half years ago is the fact that you can’t do whatever you want with your phone. You can’t install any application you want, only those approved by Apple. You can’t browse and save files to your phone without the use of a third party application. Well, Apple is bringing that way of doing things to the iPad; a notebook/netbook replacement that won’t allow you to save and manipulate files on the device itself.

03. 1024 x 768 Resolution
Welcome to 1999, where standard 4:3 LCD screens are all the rage! There really isn’t any reason (other than saving a few bucks) that Apple had to go with the 4:3 ratio for this device. The iPad runs at the “oh so a decade ago” resolution of 1024 x 768; yawn. Take into consideration if you will that Apple doesn’t sell 4:3 displays anywhere else in their product line. Everyone of their notebooks and monitors are 16:10. They should have gone with a 1280×720 (16:9) or 1280×800 (16:10) display. You can buy and rent HD movies from iTunes, but you can’t even watch them in true HD on the iPad? Letterboxing, YAH!

04. No Camera(s)
The iPad is an ultraportable device that is going to be very social. Meaning, when you are using the device other people around you are going to naturally want to join in. Anyone who was an early adopter of a netbook knows what I mean here. The form factor itself also would be perfect for iChatting with a friend or loved one, or better yet, using it for video Skype. The fact that there isn’t a front or rear facing camera is a real letdown. Even a 1.3 or 2.3 megapixel camera would have been better than no camera at all.

05. No DVI/HDMI/VGA Out
Steve Jobs made it a point in the presentation yesterday that you can download HD movies on iTunes and watch them or your iPad, but he left out the part where you can’t connect your iPad to a larger screen or TV. I’m sure that there will be a proprietary dongle cable that will allow you to connect the device to external screens, but would it have killed them to put an HDMI port on it? Apple obviously wants to cut costs while also making extra cash in the accessory market.

06. Micro-SIM/AT&T 3G Only
The iPad's 3G modem supports UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz). T-Mobile's 3G runs on 1700 MHz. The iPad will also be using a newer Micro-SIM card, a technology only AT&T is using stateside, T-Mobile will have them later this year but again, you won’t get 3G speeds on T-Mobile. AT&T has proven that they can’t handle all of the 3G users that the iPhone has brought them, how are they going to handle this additional traffic? Why lock it down with one carrier?

07. No Wireless Sync
Wouldn’t it be great if you could sync your iPad, iPod or iPhones to your computer without using the USB dongle? Microsoft came out with wireless syncing for the Zune over three years ago, and it works great. They even went so far as pushing an update to the generation 1 devices for it, what a novel idea. You connect to your Wi-Fi and your Zune automatically syncs with your Zune software on your PC, brilliant. Why can’t Apple do the same? The hardware is there to make it happen, but they continue to ignore it. If a device has built-in Wi-Fi, it shouldn’t require a cable to sync, period. A theme is forming here; another way for Apple to make extra money on sync cables?

08. No Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a cheap, widely used and proven technology. Smart phones you can get free from any major wireless carriers have Bluetooth and most netbooks have Bluetooth as an option for under $25, so why doesn’t the iPad have Bluetooth? Think of the possibilities. You could use any Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, printer or headset that you desire. Oh no, Apple can’t have that… they want you to buy their super-shiny keyboard and mouse combo instead!

09. No Ports (USB/SD)
In a world where nearly every smart phone not named iPhone has an external USB connection you’d think that in a netbook/notebook alternative they’d certainly include one right? Nope, not Apple. If you want to connect to your iPad you’re going to need to do so through the proprietary dock and/or cables. They could also have included an SD card slot so camera users could easily copy and edit their images to the iPad. Apple made image viewing and manipulation a huge part of their keynote, too bad they didn't show you how much of a pain it is to get your images actually on the device.

10. No Flash Support
Some people may think that Adobe Flash is a dying technology, but when 75% of online games and 80% of online video is delivered via Flash you might want to consider it as an option. Want to watch videos from Hulu, TV.com, ABC.com, NBC.com, CBS.com or any other major video content site not named YouTube? Well, good luck because you aren’t going to be watching that show you missed on the iPad.

11. Enclosed Battery
In the spirit of the iPhone and MacBook Air, you’re stuck with the one internal battery the device has. There isn’t an option for a larger cell battery or even an extra battery for when you’re on the go. What happens in 1-2 years when your initial battery doesn’t hold a charge and needs a replacement? Oh, just head down to the nearest Apple store and they’ll gladly do it for a nice fee.

12. No Native Printer Support
Out of the box there is no way for you to print your documents from iWork or your emails if you are using your iPad. There are third party applications that can add this functionality in the Apple App store, but why should you have to? Is a Print function really that difficult to add?

The main problems with the iPad comes from the fact that it is missing functionality that nearly every netbook on the market has. For example: a $290 Dell Mini 10 includes Bluetooth, Webcam, 2 USB ports, an SD card reader and an HDMI out port. Everyone of the exclusions that Apple made on the iPad was to increase their profit margins.

No Bluetooth? That’s okay, you can buy their keyboard/mouse combo for a low, low price! No USB, SD card reader or HDMI out? Well, you can buy extra dongles and cables for that. No webcam? I’m sure there will be an add on at some point.

The lack of an SD card slot makes it much easier for Apple to charge you a premium for larger solid state drives. They charge you $100 to move from 16GB to 32GB, and then $100 on top of that to go from a 32GB to a 64GB. Meanwhile you can get a 16GB SD Card for $40.49 or a 32GB for $81.99.

Apple had a real chance to come out with an amazing, ground breaking product, but all they delivered was a glorified iPod Touch, and during the process they continued to screw their loyal customers by excluding “no brainer” technologies.

Even Hitler is not pleased.