Why I care about tablets: iPad offers huge opportunities for competition

The iPad was one of the most interesting computers I've bought for personal use, as it was more a curiosity at launch than something I had a real use for before I laid down the money. That may sound insane, but my career depends on digital publishing, so I wanted to see first-hand how that would play out on a tablet, and the possibilities for touchscreen gaming on the device were exciting.
It quickly went from a product that was a conversation piece to something that collected dust in my collection of equipment—to hardware the whole family uses on a daily basis. Here are the reasons I can't wait to see more companies get into the tablet business.

It keeps everything I'm reading in one place

The Kindle is a better device for reading pure text, but the versatility of the iPad in terms of what I can read on it is impossible to match. At this moment, I have close to two dozen books on the device, a nearly endless amount of comic books, and even a few magazines. I'm a voracious reader, especially when traveling, and if I didn't have a tablet to keep my reading material digital I would be lugging around an epic amount of books and magazines on my flights and to my hotel. My carry-on bag used to be ridiculous.
Now, everything I want to read is with me, or I can buy it via any WiFi connection. I have too many physical books, in fact, and keeping up with my favorite comics in digital form has been a great way to cut down on the space I need to hold my collection while increasing the convenience of when and where I can check out new comics.
Paper still has its appeal, and I'd love for someone to release a tablet that's easier to read in direct sunlight, but the iPad has caused me to read more books and, more importantly for the world of publishing, to buy more books. Everyone's eyes are different, but mine don't hurt after reading the screen for longer periods of time, and being able to go from tome to tome instantly on one small device is great. The full color screen is wonderful for reading comics and magazines, and that's a trick the Kindle can't match... yet.
This is an area where newer tablets have the most opportunity: Apple's publishing deals aren't getting any better, and this leaves the company vulnerable to competitors who can offer more and better content at a lower price, without the need to cut Apple into the profits at 30 percent. If you can design a color screen that's easily readable under bright light you could have a major selling point. Apple wants to crack the whip on its partners, and if other companies are willing to open their arms, they're going to find very willing allies.

The form factor beats my laptop

The iPad weighs 1.5 pounds, and I quickly grew tired of people complaining about holding that weight while reading or surfing. It's less than half the size of my copy of Stephen King's Under the Dome, which weighs over three pounds. I've never had a problem holding the iPad for long periods of time, and the large size makes it easy to focus while reading; the 10" screen is large enough that I can even watch movies or TV shows comfortably. In fact, using streaming apps, I'll often use the iPad with a headset to watch movies and shows stored on my primary systems when my wife watches things on the TV I'm not interested in.
On planes, in the car, or in bed, the tablet form factor just makes more sense than a laptop for passively reading or watching something, and it's often more comfortable. That said, there's plenty of room for larger and smaller screens. I've spoken to some people who have become fans of the 7" form factor of the smaller tablets, while our own Aurich Lawson is dismayed at how small the iPad's screen feels to him while he read comics. There have been rumors of a smaller iPad, but it seems as if it everyone is assuming the 10" screen size is here to stay for the near future. A smaller, or larger, option could draw in new customers.
The lack of a keyboard and the prominence of the screen, combined with multitouch controls, makes the tablet size and shape a joy to use when reading, watching video, surfing, or even doing light photo editing or content creation. While my laptop is, by definition and by name, stuck on my lap, the tablet can be turned to any orientation depending on the content. That's an advantage that will only increase as different sizes and possibly even shapes enter the market.

The gaming is sublime

The days of iPad games being watered-down versions of existing franchises are long gone. From original content like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope to touch-based versions of classics like Broken Sword, playing games on tablets can be an absolute joy. A device that's nothing but a large touchscreen is actually a huge advantage with some kinds of games, especially card and board games. It's gone from something I play when I don't have another device to my first choice for many kinds of games.
The problem is that while the App Store makes it easy for some games to find an audience, Apple still has the first and final say about what can be released—provided it's ported to iOS in the first place. The idea of a more open ecosystem running on some form of Windows that allows a larger variety of existing games to be ported with touchscreen controls is very exciting. A tablet that's completely open for any kind of game to be released and sold may be hell for people trying to protect their intellectual property, but it will likely speed innovation and choice for gamers.
Also, while I'm all about the touchscreen for a variety of games, the idea of something as simple as a USB port for an actual, physical game controller is something I'd really love to see.

The screen can, and should, show you anything you want

The iPad is nothing but screen, and that's an opportunity as well as a hindrance. Photographers could use a tablet as a larger viewfinder, complete with camera controls. You can edit images with touches and swipes. You can even use the screen as a secondary monitor to your existing Mac if you download the right apps.
This is a huge plus for the product, and should extend its usability, but Apple has things locked down tight. We have one proprietary Apple port that's used for everything, and adapters to buy in order to unlock what should be basic functions. The inability to slide in a memory stick to view my videos or images is criminal, as is the lack of USB ports.
You don't have to sacrifice size or elegance for ports: my 13" Macbook Air is a relatively austere computer that features two USB ports, a memory card slot, and a DisplayPort connection. The newer tablets need to expand connectivity and versatility. They should give us more ways to interact with the content on the screen, and simpler ways to get the content onto it. Apple has narrowed the flood of information to the trickle that can fit through iTunes at any given time, and it doesn't have to be like that. We need to be able to trade files via USB sticks and memory cards or even just download things directly to the system from any webpage. Apple stands between our systems and the wider world, and all a competitor needs to do is get out of the way to grab the interest of many consumers.

The iPad is a jumping-off point, not something to imitate

The iPad is a wonderful example of what can be done with tablets, and it has found a permanent place in my home, but its functions are limited by Apple's arbitrary content and hardware restrictions. There is so much it could do, but it can't fulfill its full potential because of how Apple runs its business. This should get everyone else frothing at the mouth to remove those walls while releasing hardware that can do more with existing equipment and peripherals.
Now that I know how much use I can get out of a tablet, I can't wait to see how everyone else innovates. Not getting excited about the newest generation of tablets is a failure of imagination, and a sign of a jaded fan of technology. With the right set of eyes, you can see just how far the concept can be taken by a company willing to make the right decisions.