Project and the iPad. [iPad Update #1]

As the theme seems to be for my sites today, I have to cancel the project I was working on. By outlining a way to show the possibilities that the Microsoft Courier prototype had, I wanted to show the way it could be used by a much broader audience than was apparent from the demos. Microsoft killed the plan so there is really no point in elaborating on its potential. In lieu of this I'm going to provide updates with my iPad user experience. This is the first. 

The day I heard of the Courier's demise, I decided to purchase the iPad. So far I am thrilled with it, especially for entertainment and casual use, but wish that Apple (especially Jobs) didn't have such a anti-stylus mindset. The ones I have tried work fairly well, but there is only so much precision one can get with a product designed specifically not to be used with a stylus. 90% of the time I have no desire to use a stylus. 9% of the time, the stylus options available are sufficient. But this remainder still creates a significant amount where I'm left frustrated by the inability to get the precision of pen on paper.

It was my goal that the iPad (or originally the Courier) would replace what I carry in my messenger bag. The primary item on this list was my laptop which it has replaced remarkably well. Next were all the items associated with note and case markups: stacks of paper, pens, post-its, highlighters, etc. Textbooks were the final resource I hoped I could get copies on the iPad. So far I've found no books available online as eBooks or PDFs, which would actually be better for their "bottom line" since you can't resell a digital file with the proper Digital Rights Management (DRM). I blame the publishers on this and not Apple because the digital files aren't available in any format. The other hesitation for textbooks on the iPad is the current inability to look up information and take notes at the same time, but Apple is adding multitasking this fall which would fix and improve this situation with copy and paste. 

We'll see where this goes in the near future, but as of right now the iPad is much better as an indication of where things are going rather than where they are. I expect that by this time next year these problems will be resolved. A third party will likely come out with a precision stylus or a software workaround (likely first from the jailbreak community) to allow more precision when necessary. Apple has stated that full multitasking is coming, and with a million units sold in the first month I doubt it will be long before textbook publishers change their stance. It will be a great day when I walk to class or work carrying only a single 1.5 pound device and everything I need on it.