Fast is never, fast enough - iPad2

The iPad2 is not a 4G device and I think most of the geek prognosticators are somewhat surprised. Despite all of the 4G ads you see on TV, and the fact that 4G has been redefined, coverage with either AT&T (my employer) or Verizon is not widely deployed. So if you as a vendor were deploying a new wireless data only device today, would you make it 4G capable? Even the Motorola Xoom, which many state is 4G capable, requires a hardware upgrade to make it 4G ready. Ubiquitous 4G service really will not be available in the U.S. until early to mid 2013 from all service providers.

What is the big deal anyway? Yes, it would make the iPad2 somewhat future proof, but at what cost? The iPad2 is less than a $1,000 device and becomes a “hand-me-down” device.

Even though the title of my blog is “Fast is never, fast enough”, I do not understand the obsession with speed. I’ve always said that response time is a function of perception and reality, and it is not always related to data. We eat at “fast food” restaurants that do a lot of research on how to speed up service. And even at Sunday worship services, we get upset if the pastor’s sermon runs a little long and the service creeps past the 1 hour mark.

But I think we need to put things in perspective. Apple is offering a device that can communicate from almost anywhere for less than $850.00 (and in some locales that may include tax). Do we really care if it downloads a file in 15 seconds versus 45? And do not forget that “fast” 4G download speeds depend on a number of factors such as , number of cell phone towers are in the vicinity, number of users are sharing the towers, and the bandwidth that to connects the towers to the Internet or the carrier's network.

I do not have an iPad, but I doubt if what I would be downloading is that critical that an additional few minutes would make that much of a difference. So buy an iPad2 today, enjoy it for the next two years and then upgrade to a new one, it will be worth it.