For the most part I like my iPad, but there are a couple of things about it that drive me nuts. We always hear about how great the iPad is. I want to share with you some of the things I can’t stand about it.
Saving files
Who’s the genius who came up with this? To save a file from an iPad you have to “share and print” it to iTunes, then sync the iPad to your computer… then MANUALLY copy it onto your hard drive? I’m having a flashback to my old TRS-80 days, saving data onto cassette tapes – a process that was a lot more straightforward.
Most people aren’t even going to find this setting. In iTunes, go to your iPad, then Apps. There’s a section at the bottom that lists the apps that can handle files (not all can). Select the app, select the file, save it to your hard drive. Yeah, like that was intuitive.
I’m a full-time writer. I write on my iPad – a lot. Saving files is a pain. This process means I have multiple versions of various documents lying around, and have to rely on modify date to tell which one is most recent.
And no, Apple, I do NOT want to use your spiffy new iCloud service to make this easier (see below). I just want to sync a basic text file from the device in my hand to the computer less than two inches away. How hard is that?
Cameras
I don’t need two cameras. I don’t even need one camera. But if there’s going to be a camera I want a physical way to turn it off, like a lens cap or a mechanical shutter. There are viruses that can turn on your camera without your knowledge and I want some control over that beyond antivirus.
At the moment, the cameras on my iPad are secured via the highly technical method of taping Post-It Notes over them.
Newsstand
This is the future of periodicals? I am not impressed. I wanted one device upon which to read all my stuff: books, newspapers, magazines, the Internet. Works great for the first and last, but my periodicals are scattered all over the place. Some have their own apps, others come in via Zinio or Newsstand. And that’s just the standard periodicals, never mind the comic books. It’s a jumble.
As a side note: I wish all magazines would give print subscribers the option of logging into digital content. If I’m paying for a magazine to be physically delivered, I should be able to get that same magazine digitally delivered.
iCloud
Look, Apple, I don’t want to sync my entire life to a device, okay? I like the fact that I can choose to do so, but I don’t like being nagged every five seconds to change that choice. (Ping, I’m looking at you too.)
And I know I’ll probably be forced to use iCloud eventually if I want to take advantage of new features. Apple will make the choice for me because it’s easier for them, in much the same way I had to embrace Google Reader to use a halfway decent RSS app.
Antivirus
Antivirus for mobile devices reminds me of the old DOS command-line scanners. This is partly because of the stupidity of the file-saving process. Antivirus for iPad only scans files in certain places, like your iTunes save files or an FTP account. It’s not necessarily going to warn you if some sneaky new Trojan is burrowing into your iPad in real time. And, like any antivirus, it’s not going to prevent someone from tricking you into clicking on something you shouldn’t.
Being an iPad owner isn’t all fun and games. What annoys you about Apple’s ubiquitous tablet?
I second everything said. I’d add a couple of things.
1. Who ever thinks that everything Apple invented is intutive is nuts. Put a basic getting started manual with your products. Not everyone wants to spend hours with an Apple rep.
2. If an app is free so should be the product / service it provides. Way too many come on’s.
3. Microsoft got in trouble by having an open OS. Apple needs to close up their security holes.
Triona’s I agree my gave all the salemen I-Pad and is just cause time away from SELLING!!!!
Robert Rivera from your BNB group
1) I want a goddamned wireless keyboard. Why is that too much to ask? No, not extra – INCLUDED.
2) How hard would it be REALLY to put a pair of fold-out legs on this thing? The damned device has two basic positions: lying flat, and falling over after being propped against something.
3) I realize your side buttons are all intuitive and shit, but how hard would it be REALLY to just stamp what they do on their surfaces? 1/0 and + and – ?
I suspect they don’t include a wireless keyboard because it would make it too computer-like. Apple wants you to embrace its new interface, not remain dependent on obsolete things like physical keyboards. Fold out legs: no kidding, or even better one of those bendy tripod things so you can set it at any angle. As for side buttons, if they don’t label them then they can change the function, e.g. the way they changed the orientation lock to mute. Spontaneously, of course, and replacing some useful function you like with some braindead function you don’t.
I, for one like my Ipad 2. I am discovering new things about it each and every day. I have yet to have a sit-down with folks at the Apple store, however others I know say that will be time well spent. I like my tablet.
Jim Diehl
Don’t get me wrong, Jim – I like my iPad too. I’d even venture to say I can’t live without it, mostly because it’s an incredibly convenient way to read all the things I want to read (books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc). But some of the things I mentioned are really annoying, especially the file saving. I’m hoping for improvements in the future.
Ah man…the syncing with iTunes kills me. I didn’t update my iPad for a few month so when it was time to sync, that took literally 4 hours. I was dying. And of course it crashed along the way.
But it is all right since I do love mr ipad. He keeps my kids out of trouble.