The iPad was released on April 3, 2010. It was a device straight out of future (although the past did hint at something like this). It was a tablet, dominated with a large and brilliant screen. The software in it was slick. The design was sleek and sexy. It was a device that, according to Apple, would replace the laptop.
The original iPad was a decent device in terms of functionality and features. It had limitations but it was unique and it sold well. The idea was that in the future, as Apple evolves the iPad, the flaws and limitations would be fixed.
So five years later, where does the iPad stand?
There is no way you can call iPad a failure. It sold in a spectacular manner and still continues to be an amazing device for what it can do. The problem with the iPad is that even after years of evolution, it still can't do all that much.
The iPad has not replaced the laptop. In fact, it is no longer a device that is setting sales numbers on fire. Actually, the numbers are coming down. And the reason is that it is not actually a very useful device.
Of all the computing devices I own, my iPad Mini (retina) is used the least. It gets even less time than the Kindle. Earlier I would use it to play games, but nowadays even that doesn't happen.
For web browsing I find a proper computer better. When I don't have access to it I find it easier to take out the smartphone from my pocket and read something on it instead of taking out the iPad from the bag.
When it debuted the iPad had certain feature and functionality. Over the years, this feature set and functionality has not changed. Yes, the hardware inside the tablet has become more powerful. The screen has become better. The camera is now better. It is also much sleeker and lighter than ever. But it is still a device that you can only use for browsing the web, play casual games or watch YouTube videos.
Anything more and we still reach out to the laptop, however ugly it is. And that is the legacy of the iPad.
The iPad showed us a dream. Apple called this dream a world without wires. But that dream has not materialised into the reality. For some reason Apple continues to hold back on the iPad. May be it can't figure out what more can be done with a small and sleek device that lacks the keyboard and the software that can open it up for more useful features. Or maybe there is some other reason.
In fact, five years later the iPad may even be facing an existential threat. The recently launched MacBook is almost like an iPad with the keyboard. It is also going to be more useful than the iPad.
It is possible that in future Apple may veer users who need a very portable computer towards something like the new MacBook albeit at a much lower price. It also seems logical given the fact that less number of people are buying an iPad nowadays and even fewer are actually using it regularly.
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