The iPad and Web Design

So you know what it looks like the details of the specs and so on, but what’s the iPad really like?

The truth is that it is only when you actually get your hands of Apple’s latest piece of innovation that it really begins to make sense. It’s light enough to be perfectly manageable in one hand while you tap, swipe, pinch-zoom with the other. Or you can grip it with both hands and type with your thumps. Either way, it’s a highly tactile device with the same intimacy that you feel with other touch screens.

The real stand-out feature of the iPad is its speed and as Google has now confirmed that its new ‘Caffeine’ algorithm change has been fully rolled out and here to stay, it seems that a site’s page load speed is set to become a major issue in web design. But back to the iPad . . .

The increased speed of the device means that apps open instantly, internet pages build quickly, the big screen responds immediately. This all makes it a very satisfying experience. Of course it’s not a full computer experience – the touch screen keyboard can be fiddly and doesn’t have the haptic response that many smartphones make the most of. Also there is no Flash animation support, so not every site displays properly, but this is one of the few disappointments when you get to grips with the iPad.

All in all the iPad is a light, cute and powerful alternative to another laptop in the house.