There’s been a lot of buzz this week about tablets like the iPad, the Kindle Fire etc. and how they actually distract from reading and how, over the next few years, they will overtake PCs in terms of sales.
When the iPad initially came out, I was a non-believer. I thought why do I need this thing when I have a computer, a netbook and a blackberry but, as you can guess, I eventually broke down, almost purely as an excuse to have the latest shiny toy.
Now I’ve been using the iPad for nearly a year and have some observations:
1. The iPad does indeed distract from reading — I’m a big reader and buy a lot of e-books but, no matter how engrossing the book is, I find myself closing the book from time to time to check my email, Twitter and Facebook. I can’t help myself but, while the tablet does distract from reading, I don’t think it detracts from my reading experience. After checking my online life, I just go back and read another 20 pages or so.
2. I don’t like typing on the iPad — The touch screen is okay for very short messages but, if I want to write anything of substance — even a long email — I long for a keyboard. Maybe that’s because I’m a very fast touch typist and feel handicapped using two fingers. If you can’t type, then you’re probably fine with the touch screen. I eventually had to buy a keyboard for my iPad to make it more functional to me.
3. The iPad has changed the way I watch TV — I used to just watch television but now, especially for big events like the Oscars, I love sitting on the couch with my iPad in my lap, interacting online with all my Twitter and Facebook buddies, especially Twitter which is the crack of online social media. If you find yourself addicted to Facebook but have never tried Twitter, better to stay away. It can be very very distracting.
4. I feel more vulnerable to theft with an iPad — I ride the subways every day and, when I only had a Kindle, I never thought too much about someone stealing it and running out the nearest door but, with an iPad, I do. There’s just something about how bright the screen is and the fact that everyone knows it’s a $700 or more piece of fine technology. Let’s just say my normal Sixth Subway Sense is set to high when my iPad is out of the bag.
5. I read faster on the iPad — On the iPad, I rarely read to the end of a typical New York Times story. Once I know where the article is going and get the gist of it, my finger swipes to the next piece. Simple as that. I also read books faster. There’s something about the iPad (and the Kindle too) that lends itself to speed-reading. Oh, and I buy way more current hard cover books that I never would have carried back and forth on the subway. With the iPad, that’s no problem. Book publishers should at least be happy about that because I don’t think I’m unique.
