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The Cross-Generational iPad

The Cross-Generational iPad

By Molly DePasquale, Intern

Apple has done it again. The iPad according to Apple is hands down “the best way to experience the Web, email, photos, and video.” But will the iPad be as big of a hit as the iPhone? Or is the iPad just a really big iPhone without the phone? I think this is the question running through everyone’s mind. After reading the information provided about the iPad on Apple.com, like everyone else, I was a little skeptical. Although the iPad offers the ability to surf the Web, email, look at your photos and view videos, how much will this small device be able to hold? Wouldn’t it be just as easy to use your own laptop for these applications?

Apple iPadAs I thought more about the iPad, I realized the younger generations have taken for granted their knowledge and abilities of how to navigate and understand technology. Some of the capabilities people see as a setback would be a great way for people of the older generation to learn and increase their abilities of how to surf the Internet, email and take advantage of the easy-to-use applications.

My grandmother (a.k.a. Nana), for instance, prompted my thoughts on this idea. She always tells me she wants to increase her knowledge of how to email and surf the Web, and what better way to do it than with a handheld, easy-to-read, touch screen computer-like device. She would be a perfect candidate for this technology because she would only need to do one thing at a time and the fact that she could use her fingers to navigate and learn her way around the Internet would be ideal. The iPad also comes with a screen reader, support for playback of closed-captioned content and other universal access features. These easy accessibility features makes it easy for users with vision or hearing impairments or any type of learning or physical disability (Apple.com).

There are many advantages and disadvantages to the new iPad, and I’m sure Apple will be hard at work in order to update and improve these disadvantages. Until then, I will be anxiously awaiting the popularity rating of the iPad among new users.

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