Reactions mixed on iPad

Midlands technology experts who tuned into Apple’s long-awaited announcement of its tablet computer Wednesday gave mixed reviews to the iPad.

Cindy Corritore, an associate professor of information systems and technology at Creighton University, said the device gives publishers of printed material access to iTunes, Apple’s retooled content delivery system, with the ability to set their own price for content.

Paul Lindgren, director of technology at Westside High School, which provides a laptop computer to each student, said his colleagues were disappointed there wasn’t a video camera that would allow people to use Skype, an Internet-based telephone service, and that Apple didn’t expand its 3G coverage beyond AT&T to Verizon.

Months-long rumors and speculation ended when Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, unveiled the iPad, a mobile gadget the company hopes will create a third category of mobile devices, following smart phones and laptops.

The iPad will have many of the same traits as Apple’s popular iPhone but on a larger LED (light-emitting diode) screen that diagonally is 9.7 inches: full access to the company’s iTunes store and its 140,000 applications; Web browsing; Google maps; video playback; calendars; and photo storage.

The single-button, multitouch device is a half-inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds and features an on-screen keyboard.

Cost of the iPad, which will become available beginning in April, starts at $499 and goes up to $829 for more memory and Wi-Fi and 3G online connectivity. The 3G plans are $14.99 per month for 250 megabytes of data or $29.99 for unlimited downloads.

“This is so much more intimate than a laptop, so much more capable than a smart phone,” Jobs said.

Katy Huberty, an analyst with Morgan Stanley, told investors earlier this week that Apple could sell as many as 4 million tablets this year.

Analysts also say the iPad could have far-reaching consequences for a number of industries, including publishing. It will allow books, magazines, newspapers and other media to deliver content to readers with more complete layouts, better visual elements and embedded videos.

“We are naturally very interested with Apple’s development of a tablet reader device,” said Terry Kroeger, CEO and president of the Omaha World-Herald Co.

“As we understand it, they intend to permit publishers more flexibility than other options with regard to the sale of advertising and the pricing of subscriptions. We see those as positive developments and would welcome the chance to discuss these options with the folks from Apple,” Kroeger said.

An application called iBooks will serve as the iPad’s online book and print media store.

Among Apple’s partners that Wednesday showed off new software compatible with the iPad were Gameloft, a game developer, Electronic Arts and the New York Times.

Jobs said some people have questioned whether there is room for a third category of mobile devices.

“Those devices are going to have to be far better at doing some key tasks,” he said. “What kind of tasks? Well, things like browsing the Web, doing e-mail, enjoying and sharing photographs, watching videos, playing games.”

Robert Murphy, art director at Omaha’s Christ Community Church and an avid Mac user at work and at home, said it might be difficult for Apple to meet expectations.

“Initially, with all the rumors, I kind of think it’s not going to meet the hype,” Murphy said. “I’ll probably get one, but I’ll definitely go into the store and check it out before I take the plunge.”

Lindgren, the Westside technology teacher, said the iPad is a tool that eventually could be used in schools.

It could be attractive to school districts wanting to save money on computers for students since its price tag is about half that of a MacBook, Apple’s entry-level laptop, Lindgren said.

In its first-quarter earnings report earlier this week, Apple reported a 32 percent increase in holiday sales. Mac computers accounted for 28 percent of revenue; the iPhone produced about a third of the sales; and the iPod represented 22 percent of revenue.

Demand for Apple’s traditional iPod music players is falling as consumers switch to multifunction devices like the iPod Touch, which has Wi-Fi support, and smartphones that can also play music and video, like the iPhone. Apple announced iPad accessories including a stand and physical keyboard.

This report includes material from Bloomberg News.

Contact the writer:

444-1414, ross.boettcher@owh.com

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