Author Archives: Michael Brewer

10 things that suck about the iPad

I love the iPad. It’s a great new way for people to compute. And I think that within 5 to 10 years, the majority of computers will resemble the iPad more than today’s standard desktop or notebook computer. But, there are a few things that are wrong with it.

It can’t print

I know. The iPad is supposed to be another straw on the camel’s back as far as paper is concerned. But, it still needs to print for the time being. We’re not yet that interconnected. Providing some relief for the situation, HP is coming out with a line of printers that will print documents that are e-mailed to them. That assumes you have a way to get the printer on the Internet, though.

Something that a lot of people have mentioned is how many senior citizens are drawn to the iPad. There is even an 99-year-old woman in Portland that uses the large type capabilities of the iPad to overcome difficulties reading due to glaucoma. She also uses the Pages app to write limericks. Wouldn’t it be nice if she could print out some of her work to share with peers that don’t have an iPad?

And what about students that need to turn in papers they’ve written?

The puzzling thing about this is that most of the technology already exists to enable printing from an iPad.

Can’t shuffle by album

One of the reasons that I bought my very first iPod was because it could shuffle by album. I’d investigated CD jukeboxes at the time (this was in 2001) and couldn’t find one that would select a disc and then play all the way through it before selecting another at random — something you’d think was an obvious feature for a CD jukebox. Yet, here was this new portable music player thing called an iPod that did just that.

So, why can’t the most advanced devices from Apple today do that? iTunes does it. The iPod classic and iPod nano do it. Even the iPod shuffle can do it! But not the iPod touch, iPhone, or the iPad. I really thought this feature would make a comeback on the iPad. The only reason I can fathom it’s missing from the iPhone and iPod touch is because Apple couldn’t find a way to include it on a small touch screen that they’re happy with. But that’s no excuse on the iPad!

I can’t imagine that Steve Jobs doesn’t listen to albums anymore.

Icon shuffle

This is where I’d like to see Apple drop one of the iPad’s shuffle “features.” The icons on the home screen of the iPad are in a four by five grid. When you hold the iPad in portrait orientation there are four icons across and five down. In landscape, they are arranged to be five across and four down. The app in the top left is always in the top left, but the app that is top right in portrait becomes the first on the second row in landscape. This obviously leads to spatial confusion when trying to find the app you want to use.

What Apple should do is reorient the icons instead of rearranging the grid. The icons should just rotate 90 degrees to the left or to the right depending on which way the iPad is turned. The top left icon in portrait mode would change to be the bottom left icon in landscape mode, but it would retain it’s spatial location on the screen of the iPad. The end result would be much less disorienting because every icon stays in its right place no matter which way you hold the iPad. Gravity would appear to weigh the icon down by it’s label so that the icons and text would always be upright.

Get on it, Apple.

Has to sync with iTunes before it’ll do anything

It’s just disappointing to un-box your new iPad, turn it on, and find out that you need to connect it to iTunes before the iPad can do anything. And this really hampers someone’s ability to use an iPad as a stand-alone device or as their only computer.

Imagine buying an iPad from Best Buy while you’re on your way to your summer vacation destination. If you don’t know about this requirement and didn’t bring a computer with you, you’d be out of luck. I can’t think of a single reason why this is Apple’s out of the box experience with the iPad.

Separate iPod and iTunes apps

The iPod app on the iPad looks a lot like iTunes for the Mac, doesn’t it? So, why is there still a separate iTunes app? If you tap on the Get More Episodes button for one of your podcasts, the iPod app closes and the iTunes app opens. It’s a bit jarring.

This seems especially odd when you look at how nicely the iBooks app handles it. The store is integrated into the iBooks app. Tapping on a button transforms the app between the store and your library. It’s almost like how the newer versions of iTunes on the computer treat the iTunes Store. The Store can take over the entire window except for the playback controls along the top.

Was this a rush job or a conscious design decision?

Auto-brightness isn’t dynamic enough

The iPad is a device that is used in many different locations. It may be used in a living room with soft lighting, in a car on road trips, while dining at a restaurant, outside on a patio, in an office with harsh florescent lights, and in bed at night.

The current auto-brightness feature does not work well in all of these conditions. It needs to be more dynamic. If I’m outside in bright light, I need the brightness really cranked up. If I’m in bed without any lights on, I need it to drop down to a comfortable reading brightness. Admittedly, the brightness control in the iBooks app helps with this. But isn’t this device supposed to be magical?

Apple could provide a few options for the dynamic range of auto-brightness instead of the current on-off switch. Or, the iPad could learn from how the user manually adjusts brightness in specific conditions and match that.

Dealing with files is hard

The good news is that the version of iOS on the iPad is the first version that had any support for handling files. With it, you can use files across different apps and copy them between the iPad and a computer using iTunes. That is a huge step forward for iOS and one of the key ingredients that makes the iPad more useful when it comes to being productive.

The bad news is that it’s still hard to deal with files. If you copy a file to the iPad through iTunes, any changes that you make to it aren’t synchronized back to the original file. One would think the new iDisk app would help solve some of this. But it doesn’t. If you open a file from the iDisk with another app, it is imported into the other app much like when you copy a file using iTunes. Again, you now have two different versions of the same file.

Apple needs to fix this. It needs to be easier to synchronize files on the iPad with those elsewhere.

No unmetered Internet

The iPad was announced with an unlimited data plan from AT&T for $30 a month. That was a great way for people to get on the Internet that aren’t already. But AT&T changed their smartphone data plans shortly thereafter and the iPad now falls under those. An unlimited data plan is no longer offered.

Using 3G is a great way for people that are less technically inclined to get Internet service. They don’t need to buy a modem or a Wi-Fi base station. Just get the 3G iPad and the unlimited data packages and they’re set. Now they’ll have to get the 2 GB per month package and limit the amount of videos they watch. No so great for people that want to watch videos of family members on MobileMe or YouTube. And even worse if you buy or rent movies or TV shows from iTunes, Netflix, or Hulu.

Since the iPad isn’t locked to AT&T, this is an opportunity for another carrier to replace the plan AT&T abandoned.

No front facing camera

By now you’ve probably seen Apple’s FaceTime ads for the iPhone 4. Wouldn’t it be nice to do that on an iPad? Going along with the idea that the iPad is a great computer for people that aren’t comfortable with computers, it’s also a great way for these people to stay in touch over long distances. And with the extra screen real estate on the iPad, video chats with multiple people could be supported like iChat does on the Mac — assuming the iPad’s A4 processor is up to the task.

A lot of people think this will be one of the new features in the second generation iPad. But it sure would be nice to have now to get some FaceTime with iPhone 4 owners and other iPad people.

It doesn’t have a Retina Display

When I got my iPhone 4, I didn’t use my iPad at all for a couple of weeks because the iPhone 4 display is so good. It’s like looking at an exceptionally well printed glossy magazine page. When I finally did pick up the iPad, it felt good to use it again. I really do like the application designs that are possible with the larger screen and the extra controls that Apple provides for the iPad. But, the display does look a little fuzzy in comparison to the Retina Display on the iPhone.

Again, a lot of people assume that the next version of the iPad will come with a Retina Display and I hope they’re right. But, I worry that may be pushing it. I’m not sure Apple will be able to get a display that large at that high of a resolution without raising prices significantly.

Wireless printing coming to iOS 4

Apple has invited members of the press to an event tomorrow showcasing iPhone OS 4. One of the things I expect to hear about is system-wide support for printing. There are already a few apps that provide printing capability for the iPhone, iPod touch, and now the iPad. But, Apple hasn’t provided the a common printing capability that all apps could use.

When I was watching Steve Jobs’ announcement of the iPad, I thought it would be a neat device but wasn’t convinced that I needed one. That is, until the end of his presentation when he announced iWork for the iPad. On seeing those apps demoed, I was immediately struck with the idea that the iPad represents the future of personal computing. But I also assumed that I’d be able to print from those apps — so that I could still share with people living in the past.

It isn’t just iWork that made me think we would be able to print from our iPads. It’s also taking a look back at Snow Leopard through the lens of the iPad. The improvements to printing in that update to Mac OS X now seem as though they were driven by the need to bring printing to the iPad (iOS and Mac OS share a foundation). They solve the problem of identifying and installing the appropriate printer driver for the printer you want to use on a device that has no slot for a disc containing printer drivers. It’s a very slick and seamless process on the Mac that makes finding and setting up printers so much easier. But these improvements are an absolute requirement to print from the iPad. I have to think this was part of Apple’s long term plan for the iPad and the new user interface for printing simply didn’t make the cut for the iPad’s April 3 release — even though the foundation was already laid.

Lending further support to my speculation that we’ll see printing as part of Apple’s announcement about iPhone OS 4 tomorrow are some iPad support documents that were discovered. Those documents state that “printing directly from iPad is not currently available.” The wording is the key here and it’s Apple’s use of currently that implies that this problem is only temporary.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s announcement. If I am right about this, it is one more step towards the iPad being able to function as someone’s only computer.

Update: Wireless printing is coming in iOS 4.2 which is the first version of iOS 4 to run on the iPad. According to Apple, iOS 4.2 will be available in November 2010 for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Why my aunt should get an iPad

I have an aunt that has never had a computer in her entire life. The only kind she has ever used were the Apple II computers in the elementary school lab before retiring from teaching. But, she’s recently started mentioning that she wants a notebook computer to write letters to her friends. I have an old iBook from 2001 that I was going to set up for her but it turned out to be dead.

Then Apple announced the iPad.

It will be just about perfect for my aunt and other people like her. I don’t think I am going out on a limb by saying that no one makes an easier to use computer than the iPhone and iPod touch. My two and a half year old daughter is able to use an iPod touch to do just about anything she wants. She plays her favorite Pixar movies (Finding Nemo is her current favorite), looks at family photos, and plays great educational games like Monkey Preschool Lunchbox. My daughter is able to accomplish all of this because with the iPhone she is directly interacting with objects on the screen. There is very little about using the iPhone OS that is abstract – unlike the Mac or Windows. This is great for people that aren’t very familiar with computers. They don’t have to learn any of the conventions associated with traditional windows, icons, and pointer user interfaces. There is no need to know when to single click, double click, or right click. Just tap. Need to make something larger? Stretch it with your fingers. Flick across a web page the same way you would a piece of paper on a smooth table top.

My aunt wanted a notebook computer so that she could move around her house with it. She didn’t want to have to sit in the same chair at the same desk to write letters. The iPad will give her all of the mobility that a notebook would. But when she isn’t using it to type on, she’ll be able to use it in positions she’s familiar with. She can read the local newspaper’s website on the kitchen table just as she would with a newspaper. She can sit in a comfortable chair in her living room and read a book. And she can look at photos of her grand-nieces and grand-nephew anywhere in the house. Even if they were taken only minutes earlier halfway across the state.

For the times that she is typing, however, Apple offers a keyboard dock. When Apple first revealed the keyboard dock I thought it was pretty lame and that I would just use a Bluetooth wireless keyboard. But, after thinking about it, the keyboard dock is perfect for people like my aunt. With it you can use the iPad at a desk just like an iMac or MacBook. And, unlike a Bluetooth keyboard, it doesn’t require batteries! The keyboard dock will serve as a nice place to store the iPad while not in use and it’ll also charge the iPad’s internal battery.

What about the Internet? If I had given her my old iBook or Power Mac, she would have had to sign up for Internet service from one of her local providers. That starts at $20 per month in her area and at that price it’s slower than AT&T 3G. She would also most likely need to get a wireless base station that would add even more to the expense. Not to mention the added complexity of setting up and managing a base station and finding a place for it and the modem that it has to connect to. Most likely, she wouldn’t have bothered and her letters would have been sent only by the postal service instead of e-mail. With the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, she’ll be able to access the Internet for $15 a month. And if she decides she doesn’t always need Internet access she can just not pay for the next month and resume service whenever she wants. Because the Internet access that AT&T will offer for the iPad is pre-paid and doesn’t require a contract. I really do think that this wireless deal with its low cost of entry and ease of use could be revolutionary.

There are details about the iPad that we don’t know about at this point. And a few of them may be show-stoppers for people that are looking to use an iPad as their only computer. People will want to be able to update to the latest and greatest system software and they’ll need to be able to backup the data on their iPad. I don’t think these two things will be an issue for my aunt, though. A great way to work around these two issues (assuming Apple won’t have their own solution by the time they release the iPad) will be for her to visit her sister, my mother, every now and then and sync the iPad with iTunes. iTunes will check to make sure the software is up-to-date and will create a backup just like it does with the iPhone.

I’m excited to see how the iPad affects the future of computing or takes us past computing. It’ll be interesting to see people who have never used computers before – older generations like my aunt and younger generations like my daughter – interact with the iPad. Watching them use it as their only real experience with a PC will be like looking at a character out of a science-fiction movie.

Ctrl-Alt-Del

There is a Mac-equivalent of the popular Windows command Ctrl-Alt-Del that is often lovingly referred to as the three finger salute. You just don’t have to use it anywhere near as often. If one of your applications isn’t responding, you can bring up its contextual menu in the dock by either right-clicking, control-clicking, or click-and-holding (clicking down on the mouse, but not up until the menu appears) on its Dock icon. This will allow you to choose the Force Quit command to… well, force the application to quit. But, there is another way as well.

Select any application and press the Force Quit button

Select any application and press the Force Quit button

You can also press the Command-Option-Escape keys on the keyboard to bring up a Force Quit Applications window. From this window, you can select the application that isn’t responding and press the Force Quit button. Pressing Command-Option-Escape again while this window is front-most will force the Mac to restart.

Hacked iPhones vulnerable to worm attack

There is an iPhone worm that is making the news this week. One thing that may not be obvious in some of the stories is that the iPhones that are vulnerable have been hacked by their owners or “jailbroken” as it’s commonly referred to by people in the community. People may benefit from hacking their iPhones by being able to run apps that Apple hasn’t approved,  installing interface modifications, or pirating App Store applications. But, there are also consequences such as instability, reduced battery life, and now the threat of worms attacking your phone and copying your personal data. You can read more about this in iPhone security problems bring new risks at Computerworld.

A tip for first-time iPhone buyers

Here’s a tip for new iPhone users that will save your screen and also save you some cash. I was able to use my original iPhone for over a year and a half without a scratch. And the screen on my iPhone 3GS is pristine but I never use a case or a screen protector.

Always put your iPhone in your left pocket (with the screen facing in) and your keys in your right pocket. I’m not sure what makes the iPhone’s screen prone to scratching by keys when dropping it face-down onto asphalt doesn’t have an effect, but they do. I got one scratch on my original iPhone’s screen after owning it for over a year and a half this way. So, always keep your iPhone separated from your keys.

This is especially good advice for someone that just bought an iPhone 3GS since it has an oleophobic screen. This makes the screen resist oil from fingers or faces. In fact, on the rare occasion when I do notice fingerprints on mine, all I have to do it put it in my pocket and the next time I pull it out there isn’t a trace of them remaining. Placing a sheet of plastic over a screen this nice is a shame.

The reason why I always keep my iPhone in my left pocket is so that it doesn’t ever bang against the steering wheel as I enter and exit my car. People living in England, India, or other places where they drive on the wrong side of the road should switch pockets… or countries.

iPhone OS 3.0.1 released, quickly addresses SMS flaw

If you have an iPhone, update it today. If you don’t have an iPhone, well, I already feel sorry for you…

iPhone OS 3.0.1 already released, addresses SMS flaw – Ars Technica

The vulnerability was first revealed in June by Miller and University of Milan student Vincenzo Iozzo, who said that they planned to reveal the flaw during Black Hat in July. That week has arrived, with Miller and Mulliner demonstrating a “non-malicious” exploit for the SMS bug. This issue did not only affect iPhones—it affected a number of Windows Mobile, Android, and other GSM phones as well. The iPhone was one of the higher-profile devices on the list, however, meaning that all eyes were on Apple to release an update—and fast.

How to remove icons from your menu bar

When you first start using your Mac, you may have quite a few items in your menu bar. I don’t feel the need for the Bluetooth or Input menu items and I prefer an uncluttered look, so I’ll remove them. But how do you do that?

You can easily remove any of these icons you don't need.

You can easily remove any of these icons you don't need.

There’s nothing in each one’s menu to allow you to remove them and there aren’t easy to find settings for them in System Preferences (though, they are usually scattered around there). If you want to remove one, just hold down the ⌘ (Command) key and drag it out of the menu bar. Lift your finger to stop dragging once you’re clear of the menu bar and poof it’s gone. This is similar to how you can drag icons out of your Dock  – only with that you don’t need to hold down the option key.

How to turn off an iPhone

I almost never turn my iPhone off. But, if I am out and about and far away from a power outlet or my charging cable there are sometimes that I have to turn it off to save my battery. If you find yourself in a similar situation hold the lock (or sleep) button on the top of the phone down until you see the “slide to power off” slider – about 3 seconds. You can also try this if your phone is acting strange. On the rare occasions something is not quite right, switching my phone off and then turning it back on (by holding down the same button until the Apple icon appears) will have everything back to normal.