Apple iPad Faulters In My Opinion Still Eyeing The Nokia N900

This isn't usually isn't the focus of Nubian Knights Network, but wanted to make a few comments about the Apple iPad anyhow.

First, the hype surrounding this device has been incredibly and monumentally HUGE to say the least if you're been following all the tech websites and blog reports. Ok! So the iPad is here now and from y perspective it is just okay and will be interesting to see whether it lives or dies. I watched the keynote address by Apple CEO Steve Jobs and as usual he delivers a stellar performance. Beyond that I'm always practical in assessment in how any device can be useful to me.

First, I've never been a Apple fan boy. I will say I LOVE the design and implementation of Apple products, but never to the point of actually buying a product. I find their devices incredibly rigid from an upgrade or tinkering perspective. You have to buy everything through them and most things cost an arm and leg. Apple always has a shrewd marketing campaign of why you need to buy their devices. However, I look at technology from a rational stand point for myself and I'll say quickly that the reason why I never embraced the iPhone is because:

(1) No physical keyboard

(2) No slot for removable flash card media (secure digital [SD] or micro secure digital)

(3) No removable battery (so if the battery dies you can replace it, or if one is a heavy mobile tech user, you may want to carry a second battery and swap that into your device should your first battery go down during your day due to a low battery failure).

(4) No multi-tasking capability (the ability to move between multiple software applications)

Now we come to the new Apple iPad which Steve Jobs claimed in his keynote speech is a logical device that fits inbetween the smartphone and the laptop markets which the netbook market has failed to do. While I like a lot of what the iPad does during the demonstration, i is an oversized iPod; but if you're going to increase screen size (and offer an optional keyboard) then you need to scale performance.

To that end:

(1) Why are there no USB or firewire (IEEE 1394) ports to connect external device?
In fact, there's a special and optional Camera Connection Kit which gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera. WHY does one have to purchase this device???!!!! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT IN!!!

(2) Why is there no built in camera?

(3) With optional 3G and wi-fi capabilities for the iPad, why is there no option to plug in a USB headset or bluetooth headset to make phone calls?

(4) Why is Apple in the bed and tethered with AT&T Mobility once again (and not with Verizon Wireless or one of the other networks)? It has been widely reported that AT&T's wireless cell network has been overloaded due to people using their smartphones to download data which involves the general Internet along with Facebook, Twitter and the like. And the kicker is that most of the overloads are coming from iPhone users on the AT&T network. The iPad just exasperates the network more with it's (optional) built in 3G abilities.

I give apple credit or making a earth friendly and "green" device, but as functional task device it is limited. In my opinion it wouldn't be a device that fits in my life in between a smartphone or laptop. At this point I'm still looking to purchase the Nokia N900 smartphone and be happy with that.

Nokia N900 Internet Tablet/Smartphone