Today, to an eagerly anticipating crowd of journalists and insiders, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs introduced the Apple iPad tablet to the world. In typical Jobs fashion, the venue was tastefully decorated and minimalistic to the core. The offering of the iPad/iTablet/iSlate has been one of the single most talked about technological offerings in years. It rivals only Apple’s previous offering, the iPhone, and is ironically just as important within the marketplace. If you’d like to view his presentation, please click here to play directly from Apple’s website via QuickTime.
On January 18th I posted an article inquiring whether or not Apple’s tablet would be a “game changer” within law firms and litigation technology. After reviewing the presentation today and observing the technology employed, the discussion is certainly intriguing. While many of our educated guesses couldn’t have been further off, some were right on the mark.
What is it?
Contrary to sensationalized rumors, the Apple iPad (which I’d formerly believed would be called the iSlate, and a name I think I would’ve actually preferred) is not capable of space flight or running Summation. It is basically, at it’s heart, a 10″ iPhone without the phone.
What are the key features?
Personally, I think the iPad is as amazing of a device as Jobs portrayed it to be. I look forward to testing the device when I receive it in 90 days. There were a few key points detailed within the presentation, namely:
- The 9.7″ screen is multi-touch and gesture enabled
- .5″ thin, 1.5 lbs
- Accelerometer, compass and portrait/landscape rotation
- Apps will run perfectly fine on it as an existing device
- The onscreen virtual keyboard is almost as large as a laptop’s
- Awesome new calendar, it actually looks like a real calendar book
- Email management is one of the strongest features, coupled with the screen size it could be the perfect device for reviewing email on the couch.
- Google Maps
- Gaming will be greatly enhanced with the device, all touch enabled
- The iPad will run a modified version of the iPhone’s operating system
- Internal chip is their own Apple A4 1Ghz processor
- It will be in keeping with Apple’s tradition of visually oriented and centric devices
- AT&T have reached an agreement, $30 a month for unlimited data, $15 for 250 GB, no contracts and all pre-paid
- The device is unlocked and can work with other carriers
- Includes 802.11n for wi-fi connectivity and Bluetooth
- Speaker, microphone and the standard 30 pin connector
- Three stores: iTunes, AppStore & a bookstore
- Battery life is amazing: 10 hours running full HD video, 1 month standby time
- Content providers will be tailoring their deliverable to the iPad
- It’s an Apple product, limited hiccups and no crashes.
- Several Apple sponsored accessories, ranging from a keyboard with a dock to a special case
- Special developer SDK focused solely on the iPad and next generation models
- iWork 2010 (the Apple version of Office) will be available as an app within the Appstore, each for $10 (reasonably priced but is still a lighter version of the full version)
- Pricing begins at $499 for wi-fi & 16 GB, top end model is roughly $800 and includes 64 GB & 3G connectivity
What doesn’t it have that we wish it did?
- Multi-tasking – you can still only do one thing at a time
- A camera or webcam for video conferencing
- The ability to tether to a locked iPhone
- Stronger Flash support
- Full desktop capability or a version of Snow Leopard
How will the iPad integrate within the legal community?
Three ways:
1. It won’t be the device that forces users to toss their laptop bags into the Atlantic and calmly walk to an Apple Store. However, it will need support within a firm as the product matures. This is the first salvo from Apple in what I predict will be a considerable war between hardware and software providers. Apple’s simplicity, ability to integrate with personal and professional lives and strength as a brand will put it in the hands of many individuals who work for law firms. The relatively rapid saturation of the iPhone given it’s tenure within the legal marketplace already establishes this as a possibility.
2. Total integration within the workflow of most legal practices is not possible with the iPad, because that is not what the product is designed for. If attorneys or litigation support professionals seek a device to quickly review email and attachments on a large screen, managing their day-to-day life and still enjoy many of the personal features we have all grown to love (i.e. photos of family, favorite songs, Internet access) the device will have it’s place. Today is the first 24 hours of the iPad’s public existence in the world and the blogosphere, pundits and many on website message boards are equally listing what the device is not or how it isn’t what they were expecting.
While I understand their frustrations (who wouldn’t have wanted to hear the iPhone and iPad would be multitask environments or offer full desktop?) keep in mind that it isn’t Cupertino’s job to deliver a product that can fulfill every single need. Their job is to develop a product that will have mass appeal and fulfill a niche/market/need. The iPad is that device in many respects. While it may not be the hostile takeover of our workflow that many had predicted or hoped for, that is not it’s purpose or intention at this point.
The iPad is not, as it has been described thus far, a device built for considerable enterprise usage. I would imagine the same restrictions we faced in the iPhone would be similar if not the same in the iPad. These include features such as more robust security, expanded support for additional Exchange accounts, multitask and a variety of other points. In the future, Apple could probably achieve a greater foothold within the enterprise and commercial markets by either offering a specific model geared to their needs or further refining the product(s) with many of the features these sectors crave.
3. Despite many positions on the subject, the device does have the capability of simplifying a variety of tasks. One of the key considerations is the size of the screen – our eyes are never what they used to be, and the added screen size for reviewing email, zooming in on documents or being productive are greatly appreciated. For attorneys who continually review documents, the ability to open a several hundred page PDF from an iPad device weighing roughly 24 ounces that “just works” and allows you to sit on the couch for 10 hours will have appeal.
What would my advice be to a law firm IT, C-level executive or litigation support professional?
When the device is available, buy a few. Try them out, if not for the fun of it. I don’t mean this as a measure of reckless spending, 2009 was quite a tough year for many law firms, but that doesn’t mean the tightening of the purse strings should also ring out the joys of technology. Show your users that you’re progressive, that you understand how their desires in personal technology can be extended into their professional life and evaluate the product within your corporate environment. They are exceptionally reasonably priced ($499 for the entry model, some Firms are forced to pay this much for a lost Blackberry) and creating a pilot group that offers you focused feedback can be worth it’s weight in later decisions.
What’s the future of this device category?
Tablets and these types of devices will be to 2010 what netbooks was to 2008-2009. Within the first quarter there will be several releases, aside from Apple most are touting either Windows 7’s adaptive touch technology or other enabled operating systems. This is a technology inevitability and one that will not shy away as a fad. From my review, Lenovo’s offering will probably be the strongest choice in the Windows market.
Law firms and legal practitioners will want to prepare for the introduction of these types of devices within both the market and their organization. While there are many who might believe “well…we just don’t need it,” testing the concept within your organization and reviewing the fundamentals as to how it can be a successful tool can yield valuable results. The goal is to stay as in touch with your users as these devices do with information.
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