Grown Up Thinking

If you missed last week’s media coverage of the iPad; well then, probably time to switch from that dial-up connection. Somehow we at Mr Youth managed to go this far without commenting on this new potentially game changing device. Rather than another review on the device or the hottest apps, I figured I’d talk a bit about how the iPad, its competitors and the eco-system of a multi-device world will change the way we live.

Disclosure: I have not yet gotten my iPad as I’m holding out for the 3G model. I can; however, already envision the changes it will bring in my life.

Death of Paper (sorry Michael Scott)

As someone who hates paper and does not have a paper filling system, I’ve welcomed doing things digitally for some time. I use Evernote to save any web content I find, Yelp to keep track of places I want to check out, e-mail to send notes to myself  as reminders and TripIt to save my travel info.

Now with the iPad, I envision accessing my list of delivery menus on Yelp, taking and reviewing notes on Evernote, and showing my boarding pass at the gate on TripIt. While I already read the NY Times and other publications on my iPhone and books on my Kindle, the iPad will soon replace magazines and any other print media I still consume.

A Fully Synched Life

Prior to getting a Kindle, I never highlighted or took notes in books I read, but with the first book I read on it, I found myself highlighting. Why? Because I knew I’d be able to access the data easily whenever I needed it and would always have those notes on me on my iPhone.

My iPhone also enabled me to access Yelp, Evernote, TripIt and other sites on my phone so I always have everything I need wherever I am. As a result, I use each more frequently. With each device came different uses, bookmarking restaurants online became more valuable to me once I knew I could always access on my phone and I started using TripIt once I realized the iPhone app would update me automatically when the flights I e-mailed to it on my desktop were delayed.

Now with a third device, these sites and data in general becomes more valuable as you have more ways to access. Not having to boot up your computer or the freedom of having a larger screen with you more of the time will continue to create new business models and entrench existing ones that can leverage your data across these devices.

Multi-Multi-Media

I have found being able to rent movies on iTunes and watch on my Apple TV, iPhone or laptop a nice feature. I rarely find myself renting them when I am not going to watch them at home however. Usually when I am out or travelling, the iPhone screen is too small or battery too low to watch and often don’t have my laptop with me. The iPad is an ideal device to watch movies on so now, being able to watch a movie at home, finish it on the iPad and maybe even catch the last few minutes on the iPhone becomes a lot more enticing.

Books similarly can be shared across the iPad and iPhone making it easier to always have the entertainment you want at your fingertips. Then there is YouTube and the rumored iPad Hulu app to consume web and TV content on the go. Sling gives you access to your home cable and DVR on the go and the cable companies can’t (well they can) be far behind. And, imagine carrying around hundreds of board and video games that you can pop out and play with friends or yourself at any time.

So, what does this mean?
Does it mean life even further tethered to a screen? I don’t think so. I think it perhaps means less time tethered to a desk or couch. Does it mean increased distractions? There might be some of that but I think it could still mean increased productivity (or at least personal productivity) as we are better able to consume and create content using the right device for the right place. Does it mean the world will never be the same? Well, I won’t go there yet but these are just a few ways a device I have not yet used will likely change my life. Imagine what it will do for little league managers’ scorecards, waiters’ notepad, small business owners’ credit card terminals, doctors charts, and thousands of other daily life experiences. The iLife is here and it almost lives up to the hype.