iPad - is it a a business tool?

Brendan, I'm probably a late adopter on the old iPad. I love my iPhone (and in case you were asking about my favourite killer app for the iPhone, it's the Mailchimp one - we use Mailchimp to send the StartupSmart newsletter). But back to the iPad, I don't care how killer an app is for the iPad. The fact that you need a separate data plan, no USB connectivity and no Flash capability seriously limits its uses in my line of work.

Cambell,
I don't have a data plan for my iPad, I do however have a Netcomm Myzone. Which is a tiny portable wireless access point, with access to the mobile phone network. It costs me $20 a month for 2Gb (optus) and I use it with all my devices. I like it (alot).

The lack of USB is a little bit irritating, but I never missed it on the iphone as I can always sync files onto it. The lack of flash is also irritating, but doesn't really affect me (I use the youtube and ABC apps). Also I get Apple's argument that if you want a device that just works and doesn't crash, don't allow sloppy software on it.

Note Im not a fanboy, my other computers are windows and Linux, I don't own a Mac.

Which websites do you access regularly where the lack of flash reduces your experience?

I reckon it might depend on what line of business you are in. The journos around here use it a lot for "work" to monitor websites and such, and the sales guys hav taken it into presentations to show off our sites. Not sure these are "killer" apps though...and there are clearly not as many good business apps as there are for the iPhone.

Could we be developing a new product idea for Apple here? Something slightly bigger than an iPhone, but slightly smaller than an iPad, that makes calls and allows for better browsing/media than the iPhone does now...

Perhaps the iBrick, in honour of big mobile phones past...

Brendan,
This website uses flash to serve its ads and so do most online publishers. So for my field it's very important -There are also some pretty cool tools (widgetbox.com & sproutbuilder) that we've used in the past to creat some really quick widgets & ads in flash such as straw polls/countdown clocks etc. But also I check my Google Analytics daily and I'd be lying if I said that the % of visitors from iPhone/iPad wasn't growing.

Brendan we are a country based Ag website www.thefarmtrader.com.au and we use the ipad to help sell the different components of our site. One of the unique services we provide is a thing called Product Tender where farmers can list a requirement (eg fertiliser, cheimcals, fuel, new ute etc) and then suppliers/dealer can then put in quotes and at the end of the set time the farmer picks the best quote. We use the ipad to show both farmers and suppliers how it works. It has been a wonderful business tool for us

Dwain,
Good to hear - My suspicion was that if you were talking about bespoke web based solutions it was a great tool.
Brendan

Campbell,
This probably saddens you but I don't care whether I can see pop and animated ads based in flash on the iPad. In fact ot seeing them is a bonus with some sites.

I have had an ipad for a while, a 16Gb Wifi (no 3g) model. A few weeks post purchase I tried to sell it, unsuccessfully. I am still in the process of writing my blog article titled 'iPad Yay!... Now with Buyers Remorse'.
I knew it was a niche market device before I purchased it, but since I adore my iPhone, I thought a larger idevice would be a god-send.

The flash issue I knew about, but did not realise it would create such an impact on my usage. Shortcomings on the iphone are forgivable, however when using the ipad as a primary internet browsing device it becomes annoying. I fully understand the reason for not being able to offer flash , its to do with flash having roll over interactions which is almost impossible to emulate correctly on an ipad since u have to touch it.

I should have purchased an MSI Wind X340 13" netbook for the same money, at least I could print from it and have a usable file system.

At my house the iPad has turned into a learning device for my 3 year old son. There is a multitude of kids games for it such as puzzles etc.

One saving grace is that I have just purchased Penultimate, which allows me to use the ipad (with the use of a special pen) as a notepad. It records my handwriting as if it were real paper, however, I still cant print off my notes!

In regards to the coming range of tablets featuring Googles Android operating system, I dont think there will be much joy there either.

There was a feature on Engadget regarding a prototype Dell netbook with a swivel screen, this in my opinion is the right path, take a look here http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/dell-inspiron-duo-tablet-netbook-hybrid-unveiled-with-rotating/

Its got a real keyboard + its a tablet + real Windows/network integration.

Regarding Flash for adverts, I believe the new HTML5 features native animation integration without the Adobe plugin.

I read this at the weekend, a very good article on this subject.
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http://www.smh.com.au/business/ipad-invasion-proves-bittersweet-20100918-15h7a.html
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Brendan if you use services such as basecamp or highrise or anything else from 37signals you can use some of the apps to get direct access for faster mngmt as well.

If I had a retail store Id be setting up an app or web page to use it as an interactive sales tool for my sales staff - depending on the products i was selling this could be very effective.

Think about it for Toy rus or or toy kingdom. A kids looking at a new toy, the sales staff have an ipda available and run the promo video specifically for that toy for that kid/parent. Kids love to see what the toy can be used for and the videos from the toy companies make them look awesome. Increase sales? maybe worth a trial.

Or if you had a camera store you could demo the different pics form the different cameras etc etc.

The sort of tool you need to decide what you want to do with it before you purchase it.

Also great for smart homes and home automation applications. Killer app for that stuff and that industry and causing a lot of commoditisation of custom touch screen hardware from vendors in this industry.

Cheers
Simon

Hi Brendan

I've had an iPad for about two months now - and find it an invaluable business tool.

My business related use relates primarily to two things:
- reading PDFs, saving paper and cutting down on weight when travelling
- presenting documents or ideas to 1-3 people. The brilliant display makes PDFs, Powerpoint and video files look much better than they do on a laptop, and viewers are naturally drawn to the device, thanks to its X-factor, which means they are probably more engaged. I guess this will wear off over time though.

Taking an iPad on interstate work trips is also incredibly liberating when I can leave my bulky Dell behind.

Other than this, it is mainly a media consumption device for me, which it is amazing at. Though I have started using an app called 'Writer' which is much like an old typewriter. I find it a great tool for keeping you focused on writing just text without all the distractions a computer often throws up.

Hi Brendan,

I use the iPad in a similar way to Sam - presentations, less weight and paper. Our website has a video on it that explains what we do very quickly and clearly. Unfortunately that can sometimes take a while to load in a 3G environment (bring on the NBN) so being able to load it into the videos section is very helpful.

The "wow" factor definitely helps with engagement, though this wont last forever..

From a business point of view though it's not a necessity for me.

Best,
Patrick