ZenSRC

A couple of years ago, Apple introduced a little device called the iPhone. It revolutionized smart phones for several reasons, highest amongst them the ability to have a usable web browser in your pocket, the ease of adding and removing other applications, and, of course, the built in iPod capabilities.

A few days ago, Apple unveiled their newest creation, dubbed the iPad. Having only tuned into Apple’s press event and read the subsequent impressions of the device; I thought I would add my thoughts to the maelstrom of opinions. Rather than try and cover all of the ground that other blogs and reviews have covered, I’ll stick to the primary reason why I was disappointed by the initial announcement: the complete lack of a camera.

Normally, I wouldn’t care if a phone or portable device contained a camera; but in this particular case, it seems like such a major oversight as to make you stand back and scratch your head in wonder. Let me setup a hypothetical situation for you: Your iPad sits on a stand in your living room pretending to be a digital photo frame when an incoming Skype phone call comes in. Your iPad switches with typical elegance to a photo of the caller with a large answer button. You tap said button, and now you’re in a video call with the other party. That’s a revolution. I suggest it as differing so far from the norm (audio only) and such an improvement in the quality of communication that it is simply akin to moving from the radio to television. For $500, I could have seen many families buying them to keep in touch with long distance loved ones.

I suppose it’s still good for browsing the web, listening to music, and installing other applications. Come to think of it, maybe I’ll just stick with my iPhone…

Update: Penny Arcade hit the nail on the head.