Detailed Tour of iPad Touch UI Shows Why It’ll Be More Important Than iPhone
5:00 pm, February 4th, 2010, Leander Kahney
A lot of people are nonplussed by the iPad because it doesn’t seem so new, or even very useful. It’s just a big iPod touch. So what?
But one of the most interesting things Apple said has about the iPad is how it improves the “experience” of doing everyday computing tasks — email, web browsing, making photo slideshows.
Again, people say so what? We’ve already got laptops for email and watching movies. But improving experiences is exactly what Apple is great at. The iPod wasn’t the first MP3 player, but the first anybody could enjoy using. The same thing is going to propel the iPad into the mainstream. Everyday tasks like sending email and reading newspapers are going to be so much nicer on the iPad than any other device. (see for example the New York Times screenshot after the jump.)
Software developer Fraser Spiers has been digging through Apple’s iPad videos, pulling screenshots to take a closer look at the details of the iPad’s UI. His conclusion? It’s going to provide a very good experience not just for media consumption, but also media creation.
Look at what’s in here: a full stylesheet engine, multi-column page layout, a complete library of cell formulae and a full set of builds and transitions. You can create a Magic Move transition on the iPad. That’s probably the most advanced technique you can do in Keynote, and it’s there on the iPad.
Posting the screenshots to Flickr, Spiers has created a good walkthrough of the iPad’s UI — the menus, popovers and different multitouch keyboards used to interact with the device.
Look at the UI for Apple’s text editor, Pages. It has a full-featured toolbar with all the controls you get in the desktop version.
But when typing, you switch to landscape mode, and the ruler and toolbar disappear.
This is why the iPad will succeed. The iPad’s sophisticated modal UI will make the consumer-level computing “experience” so much better than we are currently accustomed to. That goes for laptops, desktops and smartphones.
In the comments, a corespondent called Ian Turner sums it up nicely (emphasis mine):
“For me, the iPad is all about freeing up content creation. A much wider spectrum of users will be able to use it. Children will take to it even more naturally than writing because they just have to touch it. Other people who just are not currently comfortable with the computer will suddenly have so much more confidence because there is so little to learn. But it is even more than freeing up who can create content, it is also about where you create content. If you get a creative urge whilst watching the TV, you can just doodle away on your lap, putting it down and taking it up whenever you feel like it. Reading and writing become much closer to the same experience because you can just flick from your ebook to your note taker and back again all in a form factor you can use whilst standing on the train. Even more importantly for me, it really does free up people working in the field to be much more spontaneous. Imagine a geologist working in the field. They don’t have to sit down and open up laptop, you can just take it out of your bag, download a quick picture, type a quick blog post and send it over 3G. The work becomes much more free and spontaneous for everyone working in the field like scientists, engineers, journalists, teachers, and even relief workers. Something so light and so useable really will change the way that we create things in response to the world around us. For me, I think the iPad will change the world even more than the iPhone.”
Posted by Leander Kahney in Apple, Apple Tablet, News, Opinions, iPad | Comment on this article
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“Nonplussed” does not mean “unimpressed.” It means “confused.”
SCB, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Confused can fit into that statement just as well as unimpressed.
Conrad, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
HI Leander,
Perhaps we have been too quick to judge the iPad. It seems to me that all we have to go on is what we’ve been shown, and without the Hands-on, it’s easy to be a critic.
On the other hand, it was disappointing to see such a potential device almost crippled by it’s design. But, i guess that’s what new versions / generations are for, right?
Anthony.
Anthony, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I’m with Fraser on this one. I think the iPad is going to be huge for creativity as well as consumption. And all we’re seeing in these screenshots is Apple’s first shot at these UI elements – just wait until the first 10,000 iPad apps are in the App Store. Then we’ll see some amazing innovation.
giles, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Conrad,
Nonplus is defined by M-W.com as “to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do”. “Perplex” is listed as a synonym.
Another dictionary defines nonplussed as “filled with bewilderment” and lists the following synonyms: taken aback, stunned, confused, embarrassed, puzzled, astonished, stumped, dismayed, baffled, bewildered, astounded, confounded, perplexed, disconcerted, mystified, fazed, dumbfounded, discomfited, flummoxed.
Jeff, on February 4th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Big drawbacks for mainstream:
a) battery life = 1 year, then trow away the whole thing
b) small memory size = not suitable for work but for fun
c) kids, play, glass front = very likely to break
d) show up with it in public and you are a gonner
e) glass front and keyboard = more paranoic about clean hands (just like with black MacBooks)
but guys, you must buy the 1st and 2nd gen of iPad so we have 3rd gen following by closly
jurap, on February 4th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
@Leander Kahney
What you think of Milind Alvare’s:
But there are some core issues I’ve had with the iPhone, and I wonder whether they will carry over to the iPad.
Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira, on February 4th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I’ll get the WiFi version and tether it using the iPhone. IPone tethering works extremely seamlessly. And I don’t want another Telco bill.
Denis Evans, on February 4th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
@Denis:
Hoping AT&T gets with it and gives us iPhone users a tethering option soon. I’m only getting the WiFi version as well.
@junap: “battery life = 1 year, then trow away the whole thing”
Sorry but that dead horse has been beat long enough already. I owned my original iPod for 5 years and the battery still kept an 80% charge. That was battery technology from 9 years ago. The batteries Apple uses now are far more advanced.
Bottom line… the iPad will succeed because the people who buy them will actually USE them! This is why the iPod and iPhone were both successful, people saw them being used.
Michael, on February 4th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
@jurap: A friend of mine has three kids, aged between three and six. They all use his iPhone. Current condition of iPhone (with glass front): near mint.
Craig Grannell, on February 4th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
do windoz products generate this much hot air?
ged, on February 4th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
The 15 minutes or so that new people trying the iPad will likely = an instant intime when they develop brand loyalty to Apple Just before they buy one.
The feeling of elation and delight – fun- that non tech savvy people will have with his device shouldn’t be underplayed.
They’ve put user experience and user interface above features.
They’ve done what Dick Brass couldn’t do – reinvent the software with a touch style interface. There was no iWork team bickering- they got told by Jobs to go make iWorks touch friendly. They’ve done that.
The file structure file storage solution had not yet been unveiled and will be v interesting to see in a few weeks.
Those who dismiss it haven’t seen that this has a lot of potential and some o that potential hasn’t even been fully thought let alone started to be coded.
The experience of people first using this device I’d say would make a great ahort art piece/ UX documentary.
The keynote went over Sinple stuff because that’s what it does – it makes things simple.
We xan say we cando all tar win our PC or Mac machine – but that misses the point – we can’t do that with our finger, with that software or OS – it’s for the iPad experience.
Popular mechanics might get it right this year hehe
Tom, on February 4th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Leander,
I agree with you totally on the article about the iPad. I really think it is going to be a huge hit and will be there the day it is released.
Too many people want to compare it to the netbook.
Apple will revolutionize the media market like they did the music market. The added functionality of the iPad does make it via for many business functions which is where I intend to use it on a daily basis….
Thanks for your perspective. It is good to see that there are people that DO get it….
Dean, on February 4th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
i cant wait to get my hands in one of them, i think they are great…. i have an ipod touch for three years now and the battery has giving me no problem at all…. its just the perfect gift for mi wife on her b-day….
ivan, on February 4th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I am a researcher / teacher and I think it’s superb. There are a lot of times when I carry my MacBook that I could just be carrying this. Teaching, making a presentation, making a sales pitch. Pages has enough functionality for my writing needs. Actually many very popular writing programs for the Mac are sold on how little functionality they have. If there’s a version of scrivener for this I don’t need a macbook anymore. This also makes lots of tasks much more pleasant: entering exam grades, granding student presentations, entering data on forms of your own design using that numeric keypad…
Also, with a capacitive stylus and evernote handwriting recognition, it becomes the ultimate note pad. I could go on and on… Can’t wait!
Joao, on February 5th, 2010 at 5:55 am
sorry about the typos
Joao, on February 5th, 2010 at 5:55 am
a) battery life = 1 year, then trow away the whole thing
Really? I bet Apple will replace the battery for a fee – I certainly wouldn’t toss it out! You could always just leave it plugged in by the couch too.
b) small memory size = not suitable for work but for fun
By memory do you mean storage? 64GB is quite a lot for something with the footprint of the iPhone OS and its lean apps. Plus, the cloud can augment that with ease. The mainstream from what I understand rarely maxes out their storage anyway.
c) kids, play, glass front = very likely to break
So true, but that is how we learn lessons. Time to save that allowance.
d) show up with it in public and you are a gonner
Because you’ll be robbed? Mocked?
e) glass front and keyboard = more paranoic about clean hands (just like with black MacBooks)
Actually, the lack of a physical keyboard is actually better for dirty hands — no cracks in which to accumulate dust and debris. A quick wipedown with a microfiber cloth and good as new.
James, on February 5th, 2010 at 7:59 am
“Apple said has about the iPad is how it improves the “experience” of doing everyday computing tasks — email, web browsing, making photo slideshows.”
Hard to imagine that my web surfing can be improved upon by taking away Flash. It may take some time for this device to realize this potential.
Bob, on February 5th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Seems like the critics are facing the world and trying to be knowledgeable while knowing very little about the finished product. And the rest of us are looking at the potential of, and how it would fit into our personal usage. So, when you start your post… please say you’re a critic or a user. It makes for a better UI of this site.
)
lizardliquer, on February 5th, 2010 at 11:19 am
gargle
flunkycarter, on February 5th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@jurap, your making fun I think.
But to be sure:
| a) battery life = 1 year, then trow away the whole thing
Ha, thats funny. Li-ion battery technology is very mature. Batteries are long lasting and reliable. My 3+ years MacBook has the same capacity as new.
| b) small memory size = not suitable for work but for fun
64GB is small? And you forget that the iPad is a networking device that can ‘mount’ network drives of any system. (Directories of your iMac for example.)
If that isn’t enough, no computer will ever be sufficient.
| c) kids, play, glass front = very likely to break
Its of the ‘unbreakable kind’, do you worry also with your kids in the car?
| d) show up with it in public and you are a gonner
This doesn’t apply to me.
| e) glass front and keyboard = more paranoic about clean hands (just like
| with black MacBooks)
The iPad has an oleophobic coating. The same as the latest iPhone.
| but guys, you must buy the 1st and 2nd gen of iPad so we have 3rd gen
| following by closely
Judging your comments, it will take you a lot longer, if ever, to understand.
J.
J, on February 6th, 2010 at 7:30 am
I think a lot of the “it’s just a big iPod touch” commentary comes from those who have only read about the iPad in the usually quite brief mainstream news reports. I noticed the same thing when the iPhone and the iPod were released – for “whole new concept” Apple products like these if you can’t actually be at the keynote itself then you need to watch the whole thing on the net later. There’s always so much more to what was shown than news reports tell you and you get a much better feel for what Apple have actually done that way. No one who actually saw the keynote and it’s iWork and apps demos could be under any misapprehension that this device is just an iPod or only useful for “consuming media”. This richer and more complete multi-touch i/f combined with the seamless cloud/webapp access and small targeted native app approach is the way mobile computing is headed, just as when the Mac was released it was obvious to anyone paying attention that the GUI i/f was the future of PCs.
Just like the original Mac, looking over lists of technical specifications isn’t enough because this isn’t like a regular computer and it works very differently to previous devices. Like the Mac it’s aimed at “the rest of us”, those who don’t play with computers for the sake of them but because they need to use them to get their work done. They don’t salivate at the thought of DDR3 RAM, USB 3 ports, new OS releases and shellscript coding, they just want the computer to get out of their way and let them do their jobs, or play their games, entertain them or improve their social interactions. They’re going to love the iPad, and there’s a lot more of them than there are computer nerds so sales should be very good indeed.
David S., on February 6th, 2010 at 2:33 pm