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The Apple iPad - what it means for travelers

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Jan 27th 2010 at 6:00PM

Well, after 6 years of speculation, months of totally insane guessing, "leaked" photos and feverish anticipation, the Apple iPad has finally been revealed. At least 95% of all the leaks were fake, most tech gurus turned out to be full of crap, and those that went on Twitter claiming they were testing one, were "just kidding".

The best part of a big Apple event like this, is that it finally puts things to rest. And just like any Apple event, there is always a huge amount of disappointment. The device doesn't do 3D, it does not have a TiVo built in and there is no solar panel on the back. It only comes with (optional) 3G, not 4G, and in its most expensive version, it still only comes with just 64GB.

So, what can the new iPad do for travelers, and just how "magical" is it?

Well, for starters, Apple claims ten hours of battery life. This sounds impressive, but many Netbook computers easily beat that, plus Apple is not exactly known for delivering on its battery promises. At least with 10 hours of battery life, you'll make it through a long haul flight without the dreaded "battery empty" message.

The display is reported to be stunning, and it supports multi-touch, just like the iPhone and iPod touch. Most importantly, it will offer a whole new array of online content, ebook (through the new iBook app), an office suite (iWork for the iPad) and of course multimedia content from iTunes.

What it lacks is USB and a memory card slot. Apple will gladly sell you a photo kit, but this is obviously something that should have been included from day one. There is no VGA out without an optional adapter.

A keyboard is available as an optional extra (price unknown) and the battery is not replaceable, keeping in line with their other devices. There is no camera, ~~and no GPS~~ - both things that could have made it really travel friendly. Update: the iPad does have A-GPS, but only on the 3G version, thanks Kraig!

Pros:

Multimedia - 10 hours battery life, iTunes store and iTunes syncing
Online content - newspapers, magazines and more
iBook - eBook reader with a 9.7" display and iTunes store support
Web browser - same awesome browser as on the iPhone, but on a larger screen
Email - better use of the large screen
Apps - support for iPhone apps and new improved iPad apps
Gaming - integrated accelerometer and the same high quality games as on the iPhone
3G service does not require a contract

Cons:

Keyboard - onscreen only or with an optional keyboard add-on (or any Bluetooth keyboard)
Storage - limited to 16, 32 or 64GB - not expandable
3G - optional extra for $130 more
3G service is $30/month, but will not work with your iPhone plan or existing sim card
No Integrated Expansion - no USB, no SD card slot, no VGA, no HDMI

All in all - both impressive and underwhelming at the same time. Whether a traveler will be able to dump their netbook and pick up an iPad remains to be seen. The price does not make it all that interesting - the 16GB version (without 3G) starts at $499, which is about $100 more than a well-spec'd netbook.

But as with the iPhone, the iPad will probably be a success not based on the hardware, but on the software. All iPhone apps will work on the iPad, and many developers are already hard at work creating iPad specific versions of their programs.

One other detail that will help travelers is the optional 3G adapter. For an additional $130, your iPad can come with an AT&T 3G adapter "with micro sim card". Most importantly, with this adapter, you can get online for just $30/month with unlimited data and no contract. Sadly, that won't be of much use abroad, but that price point is very impressive. Of course, it does bring the total price of the 16GB iPad to $629, or about the price of three netbooks (when purchased with a mobile service plan). You do the math.

The device will be available in 60 days, or 90 days if you want the 3G enabled version. For more comprehensive coverage of the iPad, head on over to our friends at Engadget.

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

johnmc Jan 27th 2010 7:00PM

The 3G version comes unlocked with a Micro-SIM slot. When in other countries, just get a prepaid Micro-SIM (the international release of the iPad should ensure availability of such things) in whichever country you're visiting and pop it in.

Scott Carmichael Jan 27th 2010 7:08PM

If only it were that simple.

I have not found a single operator in the world that sells prepaid micro sim cards.

And nobody knows for sure whether operators will be selling them just for the iPad.

Apple was very smart to pick that format, as it means all iPhone owners or anyone else that wants to pop their own sim in the iPad is out of luck.

johnmc Jan 27th 2010 7:14PM

My thinking is that the European networks (at the very least) will be pretty quick to jump on this bandwagon. Competition is fierce in this particular arena. Expect announcements pretty soon from O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile (at least the European wings).

Jeff Jan 27th 2010 7:10PM

Nice article but BTW there IS an optional keyboard!

Scott Carmichael Jan 27th 2010 7:17PM

Thanks Jeff - I do mention it in the article. I'm pleasantly surprised that Bluetooth keyboards will be supported, as it means a whole new industry of iPad keyboards will pop up. Some possibly combined inside a case - who knows?

Kraig Jan 27th 2010 7:41PM

The iPad has assisted GPS in it as well.

Scott Carmichael Jan 27th 2010 7:42PM

You are correct - I had not seen it mentioned in its brief specs, but I obviously didn't look hard enough, thanks!

As commenter Sam points out - GPS is only available on the 3G version of the iPad.

Sam W Jan 27th 2010 7:44PM

only on the one with 3G support.

Sam W Jan 27th 2010 7:42PM

VGA out is an option according to Apple's website.

Under TV Video: "Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter"

Scott Carmichael Jan 27th 2010 7:43PM

I don't consider anything that needs an adapter to be an expansion. It can be expanded with all kinds of things, but if it doesn't come with it, I won't count it.

I'm still of the opinion that no USB, SD or video out is a real shame.

Sam W Jan 27th 2010 7:53PM

@Scott I guess we disagree on what expandability is.

As for no video out there is a cable that does the video out that works w/ this and iPhone/iPod. http://tinyurl.com/ydcxhpt is their Apple Component AV Cable and http://tinyurl.com/yfqfsvo is their Apple Composite AV Cable. Both are just a cable that goes from the doc connector to your TV/Projector.

As for no USB you are right, it is a killer not to be able to read a USB drive directly to open say a PDF. I mean there are other ways to get files but nothing as simple as just clicking on a file on a drive. SD cards, kinda the same but depends on what you want, if you want to just download pics, there is yet another divice that allows that but I too would like to just see an SD card reader in it.

Scott Carmichael Jan 27th 2010 7:59PM

I don't disagree with you at all - and you make perfect sense. I just don't like the fact that nothing on the device is standard.

VGA? Dedicated dongle
Video? $50 cable (or a cheap knockoff if you can find one with the correct authentication chip)
SD card? Dedicated dongle
USB Photo interface? Dedicated dongle (last time they did this was on the iPod Photo, and people laughed at them back then too).

My point is, that all those accessories will probably cost over $130, and you can only use one at a time. You can't import photos and hook the device up to your TV.
The biggest thing I miss is SD - not only for adding files, but for expanding past the 16/32/64 limit. Once you lock yourself into one model, you are stuck with it.

Very sad that they didn't chose to add an HDMI connector to it. Still, this is the Apple way of doing business, so I should stop acting surprised :)

Sam W Jan 27th 2010 8:44PM

Scott, you are correct, Apple (and other companies) have always made you buy add ons to get the full set you want, and with everything being dedicated it will add up very fast. And HDMI, no Apple product has HDMI, even the Mac mini that screams for HDMI to make it simple to use as a media computer with out additional adaptor.

As for expanding it past 16/32/64GB it may be an issue for some but being in the IT world for 10+ years I have not seen too many average users ever upgrading hard drives and really once you watch a movie just remove it from the iPad, I never have been one who wanted to have every movie and every song I own with me at all times.

Gmark2000 Jan 28th 2010 6:44AM

The Apple TV has HDMI out and supports native 720p.

Jeremy Jan 28th 2010 11:28AM

I would consider no webcam as a con too.

The iPad is too limited as a travel campanion

- No phone function
- Not 100% a web browser without flash
- Relying on a desktop or a laptop for content refresh
- No local file management, can't copy, move or organize files, maybe can't even access local files
- Most of its function is a duplicate of the iPhone, why would people carry this big thing around if they already carry an iPhone?
- Not a productivity tool, you still need to carry a laptop around

Jeremy
www.betterwings.net

eric mueller Jan 29th 2010 11:29AM

kudos for writing a piece on the iPad from a traveler's point of view, I think that's cool... just a couple of quick thoughts--

- why would the fact that it's AT&T 3G not be good in other countries? I'm sitting in a cafe in Berlin right now, and my AT&T 3G iPhone that I bought at home (in L.A.) works perfectly; it picked up Vodafone.de automatically. I'm sure the iPad would work the same way. of course, the iPad doesn't make phone calls and does do wifi, so here at this cafe it would be a non-issue, anyhow, since they have free wifi :-)

- surprised there's no camera, and surprised you didn't mention this in your review. skype video conferencing is one of the main uses of my travel computer(s).

- agree completely that a GPS as standard option would have been nice.

- doubt that lack of USB is a problem, since when I'm traveling, I'm not especially looking to plug things into my network. I want something for email, file organization, some light work (word processing, etc) maps and movie-watching.

- to that end, I also don't know that lack of memory upgrade will be a HUGE deal, only because I don't expect the iPad to be my primary computer. I'll be managing its content (movies, photos) by syncing (over the network or plugged in at home), so I can just pre-load what I want for my trip. plus everything is moving to the cloud; a lack of memory upgrade is starting to be a non-issue, as all music and video content comes out of the air, either streamed or downloaded and stored [temporarily or permanently] on the device. just like I've never really cared that my iPhone can't upgade (it holds enough music, apps and video content for me to be happy and the rest can easily be swapped in when I sync at home), I think the iPad will be the same.

overall, I think people need to start thinking of this as a 2nd computer, not the primary computer. arguments like "it doesn't have local support for organizing your files" are missing the point. when I travel, if I want to do serious work, I'll bring a laptop. I think the iPad will be a FANTASTIC movie/music/email/light work device, and its specs are (nearly) perfect for that.

best
Eric