Does the iPad provide the best way to browse the web?
April 14th, 2010It’s a quote that’s been discussed over and over in the last few weeks since the launch of the iPad.
Being a geek I understand that Flash is not good for the web and I’ll be more than happy if there can be agreement on a video codec (maybe Googles own VP8) to use in the HTML5 specification. I’d much rather that video ran natively in the browser rather than relying on a plugin.
But just because I understand all these things doesn’t mean my girlfriend cares the same way I do.
We recently talked about the iPad (she’s not normally into ‘tech’ stuff but the iPad has been so heavily promoted that it’s hard to miss) and we talked about how such a device would be ideal for her.
She doesn’t have laptop and her computer is in our daughters bedroom so we can’t use it after she has gone to bed. Her requirements are also very minimal, email, web and that’s about it….oh except for those online Flash games.
And there’s the crunch. The iPad may be a great piece of hardware but she doesn’t want to know why Flash won’t work on the iPad, she just wants it to work. Usually Apple get this.
So for this reason alone I’ll never buy an iPad. Maybe I’ll buy her a Google tablet instead.
February 26th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
I have an iPad. It is good for non-flash web browsing (using Atomic Browser), and Apple get around the flash problem with free and paid apps to replace the sites that require flash. eg. Facebook Youtube etc. Even Danske Bank has an Apple app. There is a browser that does play flash video called Skyfire for iPad which is not bad (Google Android has had his one for a while) and many flash sites work with it. Flash apps of course still dont work.
I also have a myriad of Android tablets (I am a geek as you know) in 1.5, 1.6, 2.1 and 2.2 flavours and the 2.2 version runs flash just fine. None of them, even with the best firmwares, are as useable or reliable as an iPad.
The difference is that if you are a geek, go for the Android as it appeals to the inner tinkerer, whereas if you are non-technical, the iPod/Pad is the route to go. This is getting closer however with things like the upcoming Galaxy Tab 2 or the HTC Flyer (both of which I am looking at) – these are much more polished in their implementation. Not quite Apple polished, but end-user friendly non the less and definitely worth a look.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Thanks for the comment JAB. I’m also thinking of getting an Android tablet but I’ve been waiting for a worthy iPad competitor. Now that Android 3.0 is out and the Motorola Xoom, Tab 2 and Flyer are soon out I think the choices are improving all the time.