I spent some time today exchanging Tweets and Email with friends about Apple’s new iPad and I think we’re on the same page. While I think it would be fun to have, much of the function is found in my iPod touch in a far more portable format.

The iPad does not replace my MBP laptop, or even my netbook (Toshiba N205). It’s tasks are very different. It is interesting to note I can use Adobe Flash apps and video on my laptops and netbook, but not the iPod or iPad. During the product introduction it was obvious Flash didn’t work for the video on the front page of the New York Times site. Yet the image of the Times front page on the Apple website shows content were the Flash video would appear. (update)

The name is dreadful. It was bad when Fujitsu used it in 2002. The Hamming distance between iPod and iPad was simply too powerful for marketing. It also plays on the idea that accessories for the iPod should work on the new device. This remains to be seen. (I preferred something more organic, iSlate, perhaps. Though this suffers from the same ‘i-ing’ of nouns.)

Increasingly, and my deepest concern, I feel left out of the loop on this class of devices. (iPod touch, Kindle, Nook, SonyReader, iPad, etc.) I don’t like being relegated to the role of consumer when I want to be a creator. It is almost as if I’m a ‘revenue stream’ first. Kris’ comment ‘designed for consuming, not creating’ hit home with me. That said, if you are looking to consume media, I don’t know why you would buy a Nook or Kindle, if you had a chance to see the iPad.

A killer app for the iPad could be home automation systems, using the ‘pad to control lights, heat & HVAC, A/V, and security (cameras?). Though the lack of multi-tasking limits monitoring capabilities. Touch panel or voice controled lights and heat, family logistics, ‘iPad, set the heat to 68′,’iPad, did we get any mail today?’, ‘iPad, do we need milk?’, ‘iPad, where are all my children?’.

I’m sure the iPad is beautiful and I intend to test is when it becomes available. It is compelling as a multi-touch development platform. Currently I don’t need a bigger iPod, but I might consider replacing my iPod touch with an iPad when the time comes.

I hope this doesn’t herald the end of ownership or the general purpose computer. A future in which I own nothing, but merely rent access. Where is the Terminal.app, rsync, Perl, Ruby? There is nothing raw or vulnerable about this device. My view of the world is limited to what I’m allowed to buy, not what I’m enabled to create. The iPad is a consumer, not a creator device. The expansion of slick, safe, closed systems prevent users from writing their own utilities or solving their own problems. Not all solutions can be downloaded from an app store. Ultimately, the iPad may be too safe for me.

Don’t protect me from myself. Provide the platform and get out of the way.

(See also: apple.com: iPad)
(See also: engadget: Fujitsu and Apple dispute iPad name)

(See also: engadget.com: Apple excises the false flash)

(See also: O’Reilly Radar: The iPad is the iPrius: Your Computer Consumerized)
(See also: New York Times: Will the iPad cause the end of Innovation)

“Rhonda“, a 3D drawing tool developed by Amit Pitaru circa 2003.

(See also: Rhonda Project)
(See also: pitaru: sonic sculpture)
(See also: Drawn: Drawing in 3D with Rhonda)
(See also: The Rotten Fruit Tardis)
(See also: bitforms)

My daughter and I saw one of these vehicles at a neighborhood park. Not quite a car, a bit more than a golfcart, the Zenn is striking in its diminutive dimensions next to a standard American SUV. Personally, I don’t know how Canadians live with a car like this in a place even more severe than Minnesota. Equipped with a motorized rag-top and paper-thin doors it makes you wonder how you could survive a Canadian Winter, much less a collision.

According to the company website the vehicle is not for highway use. Apparently it meets or exceeds FMVSS500 standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for low speed vehicles. These are vehicles traveling at slower speeds on roadways limited to 35 miles per hour or lower. The same rules apply to mopeds.

It is interesting to note that while a variation of this car is sold in Europe with a diesel engine, vehicles of this type do not undergo collision testing or rating in the United States. There is barely enough metal to stop an errant bicycle, let alone SUV bumpers that are as high as the base of the passenger window.

We have a family of five and would need three of these just to get to church. Fully loaded, for small values of loaded, these vehicles run in the low $20k range. While I’m pleased to see electric options appearing the safety concerns with this offering outweigh potential savings.

At 22-26 MPG and gas at $2.25, I’ll keep my Volvo wagon a bit longer.

(See also: ZennCars of Canada)

Art imitates life once again at Festo. Their eyes glow an erie blue though the bird’s movement through the water is remarkably natural. Festo has produced a robotic penguin with 3D sonar navigation.

The robot is a study in the efficiency of natural design. As a hydrodynamic volume penguin bodies produce 20 to 30% less resistance than bodies developed by traditional engineering methods. Festo models show Adélie penguins as so efficient, if they operated on gasoline, they would be able to travel ~1500 kilometers through bitter Antarctic waters on a liter of fuel.

The robotic penguins are designed as autonomous underwater vehicles that navigate independently. In groups their sophisticated 3D sonar allows them to avoid collisions, interact and potentially work collaboratively.

Check out the video here.

Alles auf Deutch.

(See also: Festo: AquaPenguin)
(See also: Festo: AquaPenguin brochure)
(See also: Wikipedia: Adélie Penguin)

Among my many thoughts about the future is the wish for a cabin in the woods. Sarah and I talk about building a Flatpak home on a concrete slab near a body of water.

With apologies to Philip Johnson, I saw this in the paper and had an idea.

(See also: StarTribune: 1970s Minneapolis Skyway)
(See also: StarTribune: This skyway used to span S. 5th Street but was taken down for the Hiawatha light-rail line.)
(See also: Flatpak)
(See also: Flickr: Flatpak house photostream)
(See also: Wikipedia: Philip Johnson)
(See also: Wikipedia: Philip Johnson Glass House)
(See also: Craigslist: Skyway)