Apple iPad: Is it a Business iTool or iToy?
May 4, 2010 – 10:04 am
Apple iPad via www.apple.com
With the formal release and availability of the Apple iPad (See previous post here) along with networking capabilities including 3G and WiFi, needless to say there has been plenty of buzz in the tech sphere and beyond on both what you can do, as well as what you can not do with the new Apple iProduct. Similarly, there has been buzz from Apple co-founder and chairman Steve Jobs defending why there is no Adobe flash capabilities on the iPad or perhaps a different way, attaching flash as a non standard which is ironic for those who see many Apple products as being non standard.
What has also been getting some buzz and discussions is if the iPad is a business iTool or iToy including a recent discussion on the StorageMonkeys Infosmack 48 podcast with hosts Greg Knieriemen @Knieriemen, Marc Farley @3parfarley, guest emeritus Mark Twomey @Storagezilla and Chris Weil LeBlanc @c_weil .
Also check out the StorageMonkeys weekly Tuesday Tech Fight for May 4, 2010 (May require registration which is free)
Granted like any other desktop, portable or handheld display device with a real or virtual keyboard and some type of networking interface combined with creative programming or hacks, almost anything can be used as a monitor or display or management tool interface to a variety of technologies.
That also begs the question along with others mentioned in a post a few months ago of what is the real value for the iPad today?
Certainly there are some business or organizations that simply need a very thin client for accessing public or private cloud applications, entertainment or other web content in addition to being a personal information device or digital assistant along the lines of a traditional iPod or similar device where a PC or Mac is not needed.
Likewise down the road as pointed out here, there could be other use cases (e.g. build it and they will come).
However today for business, the question remains, is the Apple iPad a business iTool or iToy or do you simply iDont Care?
Here is a link to a related post along with poll where you can cast your vote as well as see what others are thinking about the iPad.
Cheers gs
Greg Schulz – Author The Green and Virtual Data Center (CRC) and Resilient Storage Networks (Elsevier)
twitter @storageio
Technorati tags: iPad
View Comments to “Apple iPad: Is it a Business iTool or iToy?”
Greg, you should connect with Julio at the PioneerPress (@jojeda) – he's working on a new book on iPad for business… he's already interviewed me for it, and I'll bet he'd love to interview you.
By Graeme Thickins on May 4, 2010
Greg, you should connect with Julio at the PioneerPress (@jojeda) – he's working on a new book on iPad for business… he's already interviewed me for it, and I'll bet he'd love to interview you.
By Graeme Thickins on May 4, 2010
I am the proud owner if an ipad 3g. I use it to augment, not replace my laptop and iphone. The following are some 'less obvious' business purposes I have used it for…won't bore you with the obvious ones.
*onsite presentations. i use the ipad to give presentations, either on ipad, or via vga connect to projector, and use the laptop to manage the meeting notes, action items, IM, email, etc…without risk of 'sharing' the wrong screen information. The reverse could work also, but i prefer to have the multi-screen capability to interactive and let the single threaded app use the ipad.
*remote presentations. i like to 'monitor' what i am presenting with goto meeting. this helps avoid an embarrassing situation of sharing a screen i shouldn't, but also allows me to manage issues that customers may have with slowness, etc. ipad has a great gotomeeting client.
*i presented last week for a very large tier 1 who makes laptops and was told not to open my pc(anotherlarge brand name i won't mention)…but 'macs are ok'. in fact, i found there were other ipads in the room. no, this wasn't apple.
*taking notes, actions, etc….all fast and easy
*cheaper internet access in foreign countries…this puppy is unlocked! i have not done it yet, but plan to.
Finally, I just bought a 2nd one for my wife. For her, it will replace her laptop as the tool of choice for mail, web browsing, photo collection from camera, slideshows, etc.
Phil
By Phil Ruff on Jun 2, 2010
Thanks Phil for the great comments, good to hear you are finding the iPad usefull.
Cheers gs
By storageio on Jun 3, 2010
iPad is not just iToy. Many reviews clearly shows that it is accepted by students and business persons within a small span of time. It is going to be a must have accessory now!
By iPad Accessories on Jun 29, 2010