Evaluate the nature of design in a specific industry context

1. In your opinion how important is it for mobile applications and devices to both look good and function properly? Comment on both the attractiveness of the software and the hardware. Functionality is the key in my opinion but attractiveness is also a big part of mobile applications and devices. Something has to do its job quickly and easily and the outcome needs to be exactly what the consumer wants. The look of an application is important to, a lot of people will look over something quickly and if it is eye catching then it has increased the chance of getting bought. The iPad and other Apple products have a certain look about them that makes them easily defined and the software and interface is also visually pleasing.

2. Who designed the iPad? Apple Inc.

1. Was it an individual or team? Team 
2. In your opinion, do people use this device because it looks good or because it functions well? Or does it do both? In my opinion people use is because of both, in terms of looks the iPad has its own image, for example if a building company displayed information and pictures of a house design to a potential customer the customer would most likely see that as a positive thing about the building company. In terms of functionality the iPad performs well in my opinion, it’s easy to use and understand and is also fast and responsive. These qualities are what customers look for in a product like the iPad. 

3. How has the iPad changed the way some businesses function? Can you find examples of where businesses have implemented the iPad into their day-to-day activities? The iPad is basically a digital clip board where workers can store, view, send and receive information. This is a huge advantage to business function, as well as the iPad’s basic applications there is countless apps made to help businesses. There are apps for office, finance, IT maintenance, organisation and healthcare to name a few.

4. Overall, what other major flaws of this type of technology? Can you think of anyways in the future that this hardware will be improved to the point where it will compete with desktop and laptop computers? Main flaws with the iPad would be battery life, hard drive space and performance. Laptops and especially desktops have a lot more battery life, hard drive space and performance compared to the iPad. However in the future when the iPad’s battery, hard drives and processors are much more advanced it could definitely compete with laptops and possibly desktops. However the desktop will always have specific advantages over an iPad or similar devices.

5. How do you think the iPad could help your day-to-day workflow? Are the answers straightforward? Is it more a case of combining this technology with others that already exist? The iPad can help you write things down easily, send and receive emails, take photos, download things. All of these can help your day-to-day workflow because it makes a lot of things more accessible.

6. Consider the following–has the iPad shaped the way we do business? Or has business and technology shaped the way Apple developed the iPad? I don’t think the iPad has shaped the way we do business because most of its main functions are built around things like e-mail and software that has been around for a while. I think the iPad is shaped around how it can help people and business.

7. Is the iPad and tablets in general a passing fad? Or do you think this type of technology is here to stay long-term? I think tablets will stay around for the long-term, they have some aspects that you only find in a tablet and that will give them a certain market that will help maintain consumers need for the iPad and other tablets.

8. Conduct a discussion with the whole class and determine based on the general consensus the pros and cons of tablet-based technology.

- Pro’s 
 - Looks good

 - Easy to operate

 - Performs well

 - Small and light

- Con’s 

 - No USB port

 - Short battery life

 - Fragile

 - Compatibility issues

9. Many people say that the iPad is an unnecessary piece of hardware caught in limbo between a laptop and mobile phone. Do you think this consensus is accurate? Do you think that your answer could be different in five years’ time? At the moment I see the point the question is raising, however I do not think it is unnecessary. In my opinion the iPad does things a laptop and a mobile could do but not in the same way. One main aspect of the iPad is its ability to display information to a client. Doing the same thing with a mobile or laptop will still work but not as well. I think the iPad has many features that make it stand out from the mobile and laptop, and I’m sure in 5 years it will be even more defined.