As something that would allow me to stop consuming paper, I don’t think the iPad is it. I would challenge the main claim of the iPad (according to their ads) that is the best way possible to surf the web. I actually think it’s the worst way possible to surf the web, it is like surfing the web on a Mac Classic with it’s small screen. If you look in their video, the typography is tiny and practically unreadable. Oh, and no Flash.

I think Apple should not try to implement their mobile browsers identically to a desktop/laptop browser. A good mobile version of a site is much better than a tiny browsing experience. Sure, it’s fun for a while to browse the full web on an iPhone, but it grows old quickly and I seek out sites or apps that are made just for the iPhone.

As an e-reader, the iPad also appeared to be a desktop oriented app with tiny type. It feels like the iPad was rushed, and it’s just not clear what it is going to be good at. Personally, I was hoping for some kind of killer drawing app, or an intuitive video editing device, something to make a point as to why we would need this. Gaming seems promising, but again if I’m really into games I’ll probably want the real deal, not a small screen version of a real game. The iPhone wins in this regard in that I don’t expect a lot out of it, great for a casual game whenever. The iPad is not something I’ll just always have in my pocket, I’d have to want to sit down and play a game.

Despite the Kindle’s flaws, and it’s quirkiness I think it was designed with a purpose – to read books. It also feels like it was designed by someone who likes to read books. While I still think Apple will evolve the iPad or come out with a great e-reader, I don’t think this is it just yet.