An Apology to the iPad

On the weekend of April 30^th, several friends and I got together in the city of Boston to run together.  It was an amazing experience of which you will hear more about, not only on my podcast Phedippidations, but through the words of others in blog posts, podcasts and videos that have already begun to make their way through the “tubes of the internets”.

When intelligent, creative and interesting people get together there is a tendency for learning.  I found myself learning much about these fellow runners, podcasting techniques, marathon training, myself and about some of the technology that I hadn’t bothered to lend much attention to in the past.

Listeners to Phedippidations and Intervals (as well as readers of my postings here, on Twitter and Facebook) know that I’ve harbored a particularly nasty disdain for all things Apple; and found the concept of an iPad device a silly, extravagant toy: unworthy of the high and heavy price ($750 US for the most recommended and useful WiFi+3G model).

BUT, having written that…I want to make this admission to you now: I WAS WRONG.

The iPad is an INCREDIBLE device!  My friend Neil Bearse (http://theghostofradio.com and @ninjarunner on Twitter) spent exactly FOUR MINUTES showing me the usefulness of the iPad this past weekend, and like a bolt of understanding from above: I GOT IT!

Every assumption I had made about the the device was wrong.  Every opinion I had spoken was totally incorrect.  The iPad is NOT a computer, it is a “portal”.  It’s something I could give to my computer-illiterate parents and have them consuming all of the great and amazing content available on the Internet and in the “Cloud”.

Want to see the latest news and weather? 

One button, BLAMO it’s there.

Want to see and talk to a friend or relative across the country in real time, anytime?

One button, PRESTO, there right in front of you.

Want to read a book, watch a movie, listen to all of your favorite songs?

Press the screen and KAPOW, it’s yours.

I hereby admit that I was way out of line and had no idea what I was talking about with regards to the iPad.  In fact, I’ll even go further to admit that it really IS revolutionary and magical.

Do I want one?  Uh….YEAH! 

Will I ever buy one?  Sadly, no. That’s not going to happen.  No freakin’ way, negative, “fah-gedda-bowddit”, “ixnay on the iPad-ay”

When I got back from the Poco Loco weekend I sat down at my computer and began searching online for iPad pricing with the intention of ordering one immediately. I soon realized, however, that it was way, Way, WAH-HAY out of my price range!

Simply put: I could never afford an iPad, it’s just too expensive.  In this economy with a child to put through college and the ever rising cost of living I could never justify buying this or any similar device: I just don’t have that kind of money.

BUT if I did (and if my PodCast empire ever receives that million dollar contract from some running shoe corporation) I would gladly stand in line at the Apple Store with the adoring crowds of Apple worshipers.  The iPad is much more than I thought it was, and for those of you who already understood this I’m not ashamed to say that I now, finally “get it”.

Thanks Neil for the education.  I take back everything I’ve ever said about the iPad.

Run Long and Taper!

Steve