Apple's iPad Has Major Design Flaw, No Built-In Stand For Watching Video

Aside from the fact that Apple's new iPad won't support Flash video, how on earth could Apple design a device that forces you to keep it flat at all times? Does Apple really think people want to hold a 10" screen in front of their face, at eye level, for two hours while watching a movie? The fact you have to keep this flat, on your lap, really keeps it from being used for video applications. Not designing a built-in stand up so that you can stand up the iPad on a table is a huge design flaw on Apple's part.

While the Apple website already shows one of the cases that you will be able to buy for the iPad that also double as a stand, that functionality should be built in. With the iPhone or iPod Touch, I can understand the lack of a built in stand as the device is small and most are not using it for extended periods of time. But the whole point of the iPad is to use it for interactive applications like video and with a 10" screen, share it with others. I should not have to buy a third-party case just to be able to use the device the way it was intended, with the functionality that's needed for video.

For a company that is so smart, I'm still amazed as how Apple makes such glaring mistakes like this.

Comments

[Steve Lerner]

Come on Dan, $2.59 solves the problem

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Display-Stand-Gibson-Holders/dp/B000RMOL06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1264625730&sr=1-1

[Dan Rayburn]

Consumers should not have to "solve the problem". It should not be a problem to begin with with the right kind of design and thinking.

[InvestorGater]

Apple already solved the problem with a choice of two accessories — a dock and a keyboard dock, which integrates a keyboard with a dock. Of course they will cost extra. The docks are not a “mistake” . . . they are Apple’s SMART marketing.

[reyito]

IMHO no USB, no Camera, and no SD/mini-SD slot are much bigger misses than no stand

[InvestorGater]

reyito, please look here:

www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Accessories drive increased revenues. Apple’s “glaring mistakes” are brilliant drivers of Apple’s record-breaking earnings.

[Tim]

They have made a dock! Check the site

[Dan Rayburn]

You guys kidding me? The answer to the problem is buy dock? That's a joke. I should not have to buy a dock just to stand up a flat monitor. That's like selling me a laptop and then saying I have to buy a battery if I don't want to use it while plugged in.

Typical Apple, only cares about revenue, not the user experience. And this comes from someone who has only used a Mac laptop for the past twenty years.

[Lou Quillio]

Wouldn't have killed Apple to include a kickstand like you see on Archos devices. But then folks would complain that it's flimsy or it broke or it isn't stable enough to use on their shag carpet or car hood. Guess that's why they leave it to the user's aftermarket choices. Apple takes responsibility for one moving part on the outside of these devices, and they like it that way.

It's an annoyingly Apple-ish design call, yes, but it's also consistent with past practice (which seems to be working-out okay) and it does contain some business wisdom: "Let Belkin handle the small stuff." Early adopters are gay for accessories anyhow.

LQ

[InvestorGater]

Here you go, Dan, a collection of tablet PCs rated ‘best’ by the author.

The screen’s ability to stand upright is part of each package. You cannot choose to buy these without a keyboard ‘base’ upon which the screen swivels.

The HP Pavilion tx2500z is available from Amazon at prices beginning at $1,239.00.

The Dell Latitude tablet notebook starts at $1,909.00.

The HP EliteBook 2730p is priced from $1,079.00.

The price of the Asus Eee PC T91 “mini tablet” begins at $469.99. I never heard of the brand, but it stands up — needing no dock — for $29.01 less than that inferior basic, dockless Apple iPad!

The full review says that the price “is unheard of for a tablet PC.” Boy, that should make Apple ashamed of its “glaring mistakes” . . . despite the Asus’s “low processing capability” and “cramped keyboard.” Will you review that tablet and show Apple the kind of competition it is facing?

Details of the above listed tablet PCs are here:

www.bestcovery.com/best-tablet-pc-overall?sem=3884548238cr&gclid=CNyrifSAxp8CFYNo5QodA1Pg3Q

[not a flaw]

it's not a flaw, it's a designed feature with clear purpose: Apple wants to sell accessories around ipad. the stand costs about 100$.

[AdamV]

I haven't done the math, but I read elsewhere that the screen isn't 16:9 which would be about 100 times more awesome (that and being able to install real software, aka Firefox).

[StefanoM]

Dan, nice blog and very interesting articles.
And I totally agree with you about the iPad. I believe this thing can't compete with netbooks....

[Rob]

It is a design flaw. It isn't user friendly to carry a bunch of extra crap just to hold the thing up.

I don't think this was done by Apple to sell accessories but rather because Steve is a freak about getting the package "right" even if the consumer suffers.

[bob]

Since this is "mobile device", having a built-in stand would be appropriate. Who wants to carry around a dock or stand when they are on a train, ferry or at a coffee shop?

[greg]

Totally agree that this is a major flaw. A dock is fine when you bring it home to your desk, but the beauty of a device like this, especially with a good battery, is that you should be able to carry it around in a sleeve and not need any other luggage. carrying a dock defets everything, might as well just take a laptop.

Also cant see it being any good for gaming without a small stand. its too big to hold with one hand for long whilst playing with your other and trying to play with it flat on the desk would be horrible.

[Bob]

A major flaw indeed, because I have a built-in stand on my Kindle, and my Nook, and my iPod, and my Zune, and ...

well, on all the devices the iPad actually competes with, right?

[Jason]

"Typical Apple only cares about revenue not user experience..."

Is this guy Dan growing more childish with age?

All successful companies necessarily care greatly about revenue. And if Apple didn't build products and brand being fanatically devoted to UX, creating entire categories of UX, then who did? Microsoft?

There's a design/UX purpose for NOT including a certain feature as much as including it. John Ive and engineers probably concluded the built-in stand would add to weight, detract from aesthetics or the engineers found no acceptable way to maintain the form factor with that feature. Product design is always a balancing act. They did not ignore the stand... rather offer it as an add-on.

How would you have designed it, Dan? And are you in touch with all the design and engineering challenges of developing such a balanced product?

Watch "Objectified"

[Dan Rayburn]

@Jason: Please, spare us all the marketing crap of how a stand would "detract from aesthetics" or that engineers found "no acceptable way to maintain the form factor with that feature". That's a bunch of BS. FLO TV has a built in stand to watch TV, on a 5" screen and it's designed so well that you don't even know a stand is built in unless you read the manual. Apple could do that as well, BUT didn't not due to a "design" problem, but because they want you to buy a cover that has a stand built in. Their decision to not include a stand was a revenue one, NOT a design issue.

You ask, "are you in touch with all the design and engineering challenges of developing such a balanced product?" Yes, when it comes to doing something as simple as allowing me to stand up a product on the table. Jobs can't say the iPad is great for video applications and then expect people will keep it on their lap.

Some of the best designed products use common sense, not engineering. This one doesn't.

[refurbished computers]

With the iPhone or iPod Touch, I can understand the lack of a built in stand as the device is small and most are not using it for extended periods of time. But the whole point of the iPad is to use it for interactive applications like video, share it with others.

[cheap computers]

The fact you have to keep this flat, on your lap, really keeps it from being used for video applications.

[Stefan Youngs]

I was so excited to read Dan Rayburn's expert analysis of the iPad's design flaws that I googled for all the products he's had a hand in designing. Man, I was ready to plop my hard earned cash down for anything with his moniker on it. Unfortunately....

IMHO there may well be more situations where the iPad is used and a stand would be unnecessary than where it would make sense. On the commute train, in a plane, waiting for a train... Of course, there is the need as Mr. Rayburn identifies (hardly originally it must be said, it's a rather obvious observation) for a stand, when you are relaxing watching a long video and so on, but I can't see how a stand suitable for you stretched out on a sofa watching Avatar could possibly be integrated into the iPad.

Mr. Rayburn needs to be a little more humble in his dismissal of Apple's undoubted design skills in dismissing this specific design as a 'flaw'. The omission of a stand looks to me very much like a 'decision'. Consultants like Mr. Rayburn do not usually have to make 'decisions', they proffer advice. It you take it, you're a genius, if you deny it, you're an idiot. We will see if iPad customers clamour for a stand, or if they stay away in their droves because of its absence.

[Dan Rayburn]

So what you are saying is that the average consumer can't have any good ideas on how products are designed? Some of the best products in the world have been designed based on the feedback from consumers, who is the one paying for the product.

And no where did I say that the lack of the stand would "stay away" from buying the device.

[John]

The kick stand should be included is a joke. What idiots would want this? Apple is all about minimalistic approach and I am all for that. If you want a stand, buy the upcoming 1000 stands offer by third party.

Most people would use this to view TV shows or a light movie, say 15 to 20 mins. If you want to watch a 2 hour movie, you go to your family where there thing in there called TV.

Obviously, the idiots who want the kickstand included should by Microsoft stuffs.

[Alan]

I just read some of the comments and I must laugh. There are always whiners that would just b*tch just because they can.

Remember that the iPad is a new category product for casual use around the home. No one is saying you should compose your novel or watching movies all day nonstop on the iPad. Use your TV if you want to watch a long movie.

And for those that think Apple is ripping them off for making them by an accessory to stand the iPad up, then don't buy the iPad. Buy something else that has a built in stand. Why b*tch about it?

I agree with the other comment. For those who really think Apple should have a built-in stand in the iPad are all idiots.

Gosh, I can't believe the iPad can't cook me breakfast or do my laundry. What a ripoff. I think I will wait for version 2.0 to have this.

[Jim]

Totally agree with the recent comments. Why in the world would I want a little kick-stand, sticking out in the back of my beautiful thin iPad?

Are you people nuts? This is a product that meant to be held in your hands comfortably without having to deal with anything that sticks out or easily break off.

I tell you, people will just moan about the stupidest thing.

I am glad some of you nuts are not product designers. I know the author of this article should stay away from anything that requires an ounce of artistic.