Let’s talk about Apple products, shall we?

iPad. Had those. 3G. Got those instead. We love them. Despite all the reported shortcomings, this device has had a huge impact on our lives. Laptops are used only for work. iPads are for everything else, from communication to light computing to entertainment. I am encouraged by the offerings and anticipating many good things to come. Again, let me iterate to all those considering iPad — this is not a device for everyone. It will not replace your laptop. It isn’t meant for heavy computing. It is meant to be a bridge device, something more than a phone and less than a workhorse computing machine. I can see a future where we can do heavy lifting with something as lightweight as an iPad but that time isn’t now. Soon, but not now. Probably before hovercrafts.

iPhone 4 – don’t want one. We currently have 3GS models and despite the additional features we know about that are native to iPhone 4 and won’t be available to any earlier models, there isn’t enough substance there to make me want to upgrade. Yes, the video conferencing functionality has uber-geeky cool factor. Yes, HD Video is a nice to have, especially for someone like me with an OWLE BUBO. All that coolness being offered would be great if I didn’t already own an iPhone or had a first gen model, but for me, it’s not enough to justify the price tag.

In fact, I will likely be dumping my iPhone soon. Gasp? Did I hear a gasp? I’m not kidding people. I’m planning to dump my iPhone as soon as my contract is up. Before you toss me off the Bus to Appledom, let me explain.

I got my iPhone for email, cool apps, and a decent mobile internet experience in addition to the regular phone and texting capabilities. With the arrival of the iPad 3G, I now have a device for email, cool apps and a pretty solid mobile internet experience, that adds in movies that I can actually see without straining my eyes and the ability to read news and books with ease. So what’s left for the iPhone: phone and texting – neither of which is any sort of great experience with the iPhone. Add to that the fact that I’m already paying for a data plan on two devices – one of which I rarely use anymore – and I’m left with the reality that my iPhone is now iObsolete. I want a good phone for when I actually need it with texting and nothing more. I have all the mobile computing/app/entertainment I need in my iPad.

I’ll be honest. I didn’t see this coming. I suppose I should have, but I didn’t. My iPad goes with me everywhere. I use it without any consideration of my iPhone. I find myself increasingly annoyed with the battery life and reception, and craving a device that is primarily a phone and not much more. The price tag that comes with the iPhone – which is required to include a data plan – is just not worth it anymore.

So there you have it. This geek’s perspective on the roles of the iPhone and iPad in my life. Sorry iPhone. It’s been great, but it’s time to move on.

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