Screen Time

In D8, Steve Jobs boldly predicted a iPad revolution, that tablets would replace PCs just like cars replaced trucks. Years later, we can pretty safely say that this kind of dramatic revolution didn't and wouldn't occur. Primarily, in offices, PCs are still the productive powerhouse tablets can not replace. However, another kind of quiet revolution has happened. For many people, the screen time on tablets is much longer than that on PCs. Tablets have become the primary source for casual computing.

For daily tasks like reading books and news, browsing the web, organizing calendars, and managing todos, etc., the iPad has become paramount in that it's much more convenient and accessible than Macs. The ergonomics of the iPad makes it super easy to use, and the large screen is very capable of usual computing tasks. True, for office tasks, PCs are still more productive, but the primary computer at home is more and more likely a iPad.

After Steve Jobs passed away, Apple began to equip the iPad as a productivity suite. It's reasonable that taking advantage of Apple Pencil, iPads cover many areas traditionally poorly handled on PCs. However, the lack of development in figuring out the true essence of the iPad made Apple's marketing pitch that iPad is a magical piece of glass sound hollow. Most importantly, the iPad isn't merely a productivity tool, but a intimate personal computing device.

For me, the iPad has spiritual dimensions. I often study, research, and meditate with the iPad. Taking notes, and then complete report on Macs. The work is finished on Macs, but the idea originated with the iPad. It's inspiring. I find my screen time on the iPad is multiples of that on Macs.

Perhaps the emphasis for iPad as a productivity tool needs reconsideration.