Fixing the iPad

I previously covered what I did and didn’t like about the iPad. So how to you fix what is wrong?

Hardware (stuff that requires a new release)

Camera: A front facing camera to do video conferencing. People keep harping on this point, and I think it is incredibly meaningful, especially if the API is open to apps. Imagine being able to video conference through the Facebook app. That would bring the user experience to a new level, and make for a compelling device.

A rear-facing camera is also another choice – one that would be geared towards commercial and industrial use. Features like augmented reality and documenting work orders would be of use to individuals back in the office.

To do video conferencing, Apple has to add another feature in the hardware…

H.264 Hardware HD Video Encoding: Its entirely possible Apple left this out of the iPad’s CPU because of size or power considerations. However, I would hope that Apple would move to a more advanced fabrication process (the processed used to make the A4 chip in the iPad is 2+ years old). Apple generally partners with Samsung to fabricate their chips, Samsung (along with IBM and others) were partners in Charted Semi, which was recently bought by GlobalFoundaries. GF is supposed to have an extremely advanced 28nm fabrication line ready by the end of 2010. If this holds true, Apple could shrink the size of the chip by half while simultaneously adding hardware features like video encoding to the chip.

Software (stuff that can be fixed without new hardware)

Multitasking: Especially with iWork and mail apps, ability to use Safari in the background. Imagine trying to write a paper in Pages and having to save and quit every time you needed to Google something. Apple is probably working on the “right” way to multitask on the iPad and possibly the A4-based iPhone, and it wasn’t ready for the 3.2 release. Its something we may see in OS 4.0. Being able to keep something like Facebook chat or IM open would be useful as well.

Notification System: Get FB or twitter updates while on the web, or using another app without being obtrusive (getting in the way with a window that requires you to dismiss it before you continue). Even allow the user to reply if necessary. The Palm Pre does a good job of this.

Multiple User Support: Keep the iPad in a living room environment, allow multiple users to use the device and save all their settings and account information while sharing things like pictures and apps. I don’t want to log in with my sister’s Facebook account (and I’m sure she doesn’t want to log in with mine) so being able to keep them separate would be very useful.