A day before the Apple Ipad is released, I sit here wondering if photographers will find a purpose with this device. Not quiet a laptop, but much more then a palm pilot, this 1.5 pound device may or may not become the next biggest breakthrough.
Leave it to Apple to revolutionize the technology industry with their portable music players, online music store, and stylish computers. When the Iphone came out, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I haven’t been a day without it since as it has honestly changed my life. Will the Ipad do the same?
Being a photographer, the first thing that comes to mind is a portfolio display, and not just one that is a webpage or printed 8×10’s, this 9.75 inch backlit display is a giant touchscreen just like the iphone. Put up a gallery with photos from recent photography sessions, organize folders for commercial clients asking for examples of your work, or just put on a slideshow for friends and family. That anticipated usage is a no brainer and probably one of the greatest reason I pre-ordered it. If I show a client this .5 inch thick tablet that they can scroll through some photos at a consultation, no doubt they’ll be impressed with something so new. Now granted, 2 years from now, it won’t have the same WOW factor, but if it helps now, I had to at least try.
Now what else can a photographer do with this device you might ask. Well let me share some ideas. New apps and new developers are out there working on those very ideas. For Example, ProPhotoApps is a company that will provide a custom created Iphone/Ipad app for your photography company. Created by photographers, for photographers, this custom app can be downloaded on your iphone or others to provide news, photos, or even booking requests right in their palm. Now I’m not sure of the complete functionality of this app yet, but I know it costs $299 and they provide hosting for that first year.
Imagine this, you’re at a Bridal Show and you’re talking to 30+ future brides. They want to book you as their photographer and pay the deposit right then and there. Lucky you have this giant Ipad with prices, options, and maybe even a electronic contract signature spot?
What about blogging and writing? Well why not be able to access some photos and write a blog as it’s happening. Ignore Twitter and Facebook statuses, I want to update an entire blog by adding photos and writing down what’s happening right then and there. Need a photo, no problem. Apple has a little device that attaches to the bottom of the Ipad that can hook directly into your USB camera cable. Upload just the photos you want and Wifi or 3G the story up. I know you can do that on your Iphone, but with limited sizing, I don’t know many people who do.
With 3 consultations this weekend alone, I’m banking on this little device to help me at least show that I’m on top of technology. That I’m not afraid to try a new device to showcase my work, provide internet web access quickly and easily, and also use all the amazing Iphone applications that developers are creating today. Will it be a waste of money? Will it die out like the Mac Icube computer? Will they come out with a bigger and better one, 6 months from now? Who knows. I just know I want one.
Subscribe to the RSS feed as I’ll be doing a demo of my new Ipad tomorrow night after I get it opened and all setup.