On Apr 6, 2010, at 2:35 PM, Zimmerman, Lee CIV SPAWARSYSCEN-PACIFIC wrote:
- you have to have a computer, at a minimum, for the initial sync (and if you want your system backed up after that)
- assuming your media library is bigger than the size of the iPad storage, you’re going to need someplace to hold those files and transfer a subset to your iPad
Both of these may be addressed in the next 6-9 months. Apple has been building out a large data center in North Carolina. Speculation is that it is for "iTunes in the Cloud". Of course, this shifts the problem to the reliability and security of the cloud (especially if Apple has no backup data center). Add in MobileMe for your own files and Apple will have at least an OK solution.
I think Apple would very much like to move the iPad, iPhone, and iPad Touch away from needing to sync to a host computer, especially for all those people who have Windows as their host computer. I suspect some of the current design is an artifact of the data rights Apple secured for songs and other media (remember: 5 computer and 'n' satellite devices synced to each computer?) So I think within a few months to a few years at most we will see two client-server architectures. The client will be an iPad class device, and the server will be a local server within your own network (for enterprises and some homes) or in the cloud (predominant home model).
I think another use case for the iPad in enterprises, especially within the DoD, will be like the Star Trek Personal Access Display Device (PADD) was often used. Remember all those scenes where a subordinate hands over the data tablet to his superior, who quickly reviews the information, maybe fiddles with the data briefly, and then makes a decision?
For those deficient in Star Trek lore, here are some image:
(note the two-finger swipe gesture!)
Todd