All the hype leading up to Wednesday’s announcement of Apple’s new iPad has been complemented by all the post-launch posts and reviews. Many are disappointed that it’s not Apple’s implementation of a “netbook” PC while others for some strange reason think it should include a phone.

But it’s neither – it’s not a PC; it’s not a phone; it simply uses Apple’s technology, content and transaction resources developed for its PC and iPhone to launch a new category of electronic devices. In reality it’s an electronic version of a briefcase (or attaché case) which can contain everything we carry around with a roughly 8.5″ x 11″ (or A4) form factor. Consider the items we would carry around in a briefcase:

• newspapers and magazines
• books
• a binder or notebook containing contact information, appointment calendar, notes, logs, etc.
• business and personal documents
• letters and other mail items/packages
• reference documents such as maps, timetables, schedules, dictionaries
• clipboard
• 8.5″ x 11″ (or A4) notepad (blank, lined or grid)
• writing instruments: pens, pencils
• photographs (often in frames)
• single purpose DVD, Video and audio media players

So when we look at the features of the iPad presented yesterday, it appears a more appropriately descriptive name of the device would have been iAttaché:

• New York Times news media application
• iBooks
• Safari browser to access news, reference content and other web-based information
• email support
• personal information manager (contacts, calendar, tasks)
• Adobe reader
• iWorks (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations)
• Google Maps (3G supported version includes a cellular assisted GPS)
• multi-touch screen incorporating a touch keyboard
• Photo Manager (and serves as a photo frame)
• Media Players (video including YouTube, iTunes – but no Flash player)
• support of third party iPod and iPhone applications of which many include reference information

And for my $0.02 worth, this is where Steve Jobs and the Apple team have found their market niche:

• It’s an application specific device – an interactive electronic briefcase
• It’s not, and was never intended to be, a PC; it’s definitely not a phone (it just takes advantage of many technologies and features initially developed for the iPhone and iPod Touch devices)
• Its 10″ display is a very familiar size for many of the applications mentioned above
• with the either of the two dock options it can sit on a table top as a picture or document frame or or for watching videos conveniently
• It’s developed around Apple’s technology expertise with displays, graphics, multi-touch screens; it’s built around their iPhone OS, iTunes, iPod and App Store resources. However, it continues Apple’s philosophy of providing devices that are real easy for users with little or no technical expertise to set up and use.
• It was never intended to be a smartphone or a PC – it’s an electronic attaché case

The Phone Issue: To Skype or Not To Skype?Many are disappointed by the fact it’s not a phone; however, that issue was best addressed by this photo and an accompanying comment found on an acquaintance’s social networking:

Look at this picture of Steve Jobs holding his iPad. How would he hold it up to his ear to be a phone handset?

The iPad form factor definitely is not appropriate as a phone handset. One does not put a traditional attaché case up to the ear; a briefcase is designed to be carried with the arms down.

However, with the iPad’s built-in mic and speakers and placing it into one of its docks, it is anticipated that it can become a speaker phone where one can make Skype voice calls over a WiFi access point, using Skype for iPhone – given the claim that all iPhone applications are supported. For more privacy the user could also put the FREETALK Everyman headset’s speaker plug into the iPad’s 3.5 mm headset jack. It’s also worth recalling Skype for iPhone’s ability to support Skype chat sessions. (Did anyone notice the absence of iChat support?)

(And we’ll have to see if Skype calls could also be made over the 3G data connection supported by iPad now that Apple has supposedly removed its restriction on making VoIP calls over a (3G/HSPA+) carrier network. But also there may be a caveat.)

The Camera Issue:

How would you hold this up to be either a photo or video camera? iPad comes nowhere near an appropriate form factor for any type of camera. I already have enough trouble holding my Canon Digital Elph steady to do an HD video; that’s why I have a tripod.

And cameras on mobile phone handsets and other handheld mobile devices are largely a compromise when it comes to more than low quality photos suitable for web use. iPad lets you do your photography on dedicated cameras, which produce high quality results, and then process and store them on your electronic attaché case which incorporates a high quality display.

Bottom Line : iPad is a misleading name for this device; it should have been called iAttaché. Why?

• It’s designed to create an entire new device category and the “pad” analogy only represents a portion of what it really is – an electronic briefcase or attaché case
• It actually positions the product much better with the target consumer market, especially as a prestige device deserving of a premium price. Definitely “iAttaché” has more cachet in the prosumer market.
• Whereas the iPhone is primarily an information delivery device, the iPad does add the ability to create documents but then a briefcase will often hold pen/pencil and paper for the same purpose.
• Third party applications along with the Safari browser will often serve the same reference function as items such as maps, schedules and timetables but incorporating much more intelligence and, obviously, a worldwide range of content
• How many times will the names iPad and iPod cause confusion, especially when dealing with Apple for both purchases and support?
• There would be no jokes about association with certain feminine products.

Update: iPhone games publisher Ethan Nicholas has a guest post at Tech Crunch: Why My Mom’s Next Computer Is Going To Be An iPad:

The iPad is a computer for people who don’t like computers. People who don’t like the idea of upgrading their 3D drivers, or adjusting their screen resolution, or installing new memory. Who don’t understand why their computer gets slower and slower the longer they own it, who have 25 icons in their system tray and have to wait ten minutes for their system to boot up every day.

Read on…..

And it’s not just my Mom who used to expend hours of my time with these issues.

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Yamaha launches their PSG-01S Microphone Speaker for Skype to be sold via the In Store Solutions shop on the Skype Store.

During my recent European trip I had my first ever encounter, after several decades of traveling on Air Canada, with their baggage scales and new weight limits: 23 kg per checked luggage piece and 10 kg per carry-on item. As a result my wife and I had to reorganize our luggage at the airport to comply with these limits. Given that I would also be on RyanAir for a couple of trips while in Europe – with 15 kg checked baggage and 10 kg carry-on limits, it made me much more conscious of what I would be carrying in my laptop briefcase. Out went the spare battery (Air Canada has laptop power outlets at the seats); I was also reduced to carrying one book along with my laptop. If I want a printer while traveling I can simply fax a document to the hotel fax using PamFax. So when it comes to adding complementary devices for a laptop, such as a device to support audio, I look at not only the feature set but also the weight and “bulk”.

Prior to my trip on RyanAir to eComm Europe in Amsterdam I was given a Yamaha SoundGadget USB Microphone Speaker to determine where I could find user experiences that facilitated my business travel; in addition I arranged to have several units sent out to bloggers for their feedback over the past couple of weeks.

So why would one want this audio device in a market that has many speakerphone offerings?

It’s the combination of size and feature set. It’s not “just a speakerphone”. At about 200 grams in a very portable 12 cm x 4 cm x 5 cm package, the recently released Yamaha USB Microphone Speaker is a personal microphone/speakerphone combination that allows one to combine Skype calling, wideband audio recording and music or podcast listening into a compact, yet feature rich, device. Some of the other features on which feedback came:

• Sound quality: supporting a 300 Hz to 20KHz audio bandwidth for both local (voice and music) recording and listening, the sound quality in such a small size package was the first feature always commented on. While it’s definitely not the boom box that one would have at home, the consensus appears to be that, for its size, sound quality is excellent for voice calls and listening to music or podcasts in a hotel room or small office environment.
• Skype calling: With its Skype client that supports all three of Windows XP/Vista/7, one can use the buttons on the device to answer and end calls as well as manage the speakerphone volume. To date it appears to be the only Skype speakerphone that has the appropriate client for all three versions of Windows and, in particular, Windows 7. (And yes, while the Mac will recognize it as an audio device for Skype calls, a request has been made to Yamaha for a Mac client that would achieve full integration with Skype.)
  • Note, for audio quality purposes, that the microphone supports Skype calling up to 7Khz – sufficient to take advantage of Skype’s wideband SILK codec feature; however, this limitation is removed for “local” voice or music recording.
• 360 degree “around-the-table” pickup: unique in a Microphone Speaker is its four microphone array on the top complemented by the internal echo cancellation and background noise reduction firmware. As a result several people can be positioned, say, around a small office table and all parties heard equally well instead of having everyone facing the device from one side.
• Tilt for (stereo) listening: while vertical it supports Skype calling and recording in mono mode; tilt it to a horizontal position and the two speakers go into a stereo mode for listening. Not much physical separation but then I see a lot of iPod devices out there where the two speakers are combined into one unit.

My experience: it came in very handy during my trip, for instance, my wife and I could participate in calls back home together while sitting across a table; in one case, it was beneficial where a person in the room only spoke Spanish but I had a translator as the called party. When horizontal, it came in handy in my lodging as a speaker for the iTunes media player on my laptop – much better audio quality than the embedded laptop speakers.

As a result, it appears to be the ideal complement to the laptop for road warriors and for use in a personal office. And it could be considered as a holiday gift for the laptop addict amongst your family members or colleagues.

However, as outlined in the full disclosure below, I am probably considered to be a bit biased, although I did a fair bit of research on speakerphones in coming up with this post. I will either add to the end of this post or, in a couple of weeks, put up a post pointing to blogger and Twitter feedback. Update: as I wrote this, the first blogger feedback has appeared from Jonathan Jensen on “The Really Mobile Project”.

But the real test comes if users have a chance to experience it and use it for themselves; perceived audio quality tends to be a very personal experience. So here’s the deal: Normally priced at US$219/£199/€199 – including delivery and VAT/Sales taxes, until December 31, 2009 pricing has been reduced to US$199.90/£179.90/€179.90 – including delivery and VAT/sales taxes. It’s available at any of the Skype Stores that Yamaha has shown on their website for this product. And where’s the value-add? Being able to take advantage of the inherent audio enhancement feature set while traveling, but not paying those €20 per kilogram overweight charges on RyanAir or €5 per kg on Lufthansa.

But you also need assurance that you will have a positive and satisfying personal experience with it. Should you buy the Yamaha SoundGadget USB Microphone Speaker during this promotional period and then decide – for any reason, “no questions asked” – that this device does not meet your expectations, simply return it to In Store Solutions, shipping prepaid, by January 31 and a full credit will be issued. The timing on this return policy is such that you can gift it to a family member, friend or business colleague during this holiday season and still give them enough time to decide if they like it.

Full disclosure: In Store Solutions has become a client of Denali InterConneXions, publisher of Voice On The Web, building on the author’s previous business development experience with establishing partnerships that can assist with the promotion of a primary vendor’s offerings. A more complete statement will follow shortly.

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