The Apple iPad falls short for forensic scientists, and other professionals. Let me start off by saying I’ve primarily been an Apple user since the Apple ][+. The first Microsoft device I ever used at my house was the original Xbox. The first Windows based PC was purchased about 3 years ago and was a Tablet PC. I don't have an iPhone, even jailbroken it doesn't fit all the requirements I need in a cell phone. I'm currently using a Windows Mobile based phone, it meets the minimal requirements I have, but as much as Windows desktop OS sucks, their mobile platform is worse. I'm looking at transitioning to Android, possibly the HTC Supersonic.
I use tablet PCs for work simply because Apple doesn't make anything equivalent. The tablet PC is a powerful note taking device, using the MS Journal application (note, MS Journal worked great on XP, I skipped Vista to Windows 7, and Journal is "wonky" at best - stick to XP or possibly Vista for a while), that makes it easy for forensic scientists (as well as other users) to record and annotate their notes. Nearly 10 years ago, while working for the Phoenix Arizona Police Department Crime Lab, I was tasked with implementing a way for the firearms section of the laboratory to records their notes digitally. Basically the lab director walked in on a Friday and said you have two weeks to develop a way to get rid of paper files. The City Clerk's Office is running out of storage space, and firearms is going to be the guinea pigs.
It wasn't easy to find a technique that satisfied the laboratory administration, while also not being a big change that would freak-out seasoned examiners too much. Using a tablet with digital ink, allowed the examiner to still use the same technique to document their notes, and most importantly have their notes still be in their own hand-writing.
I've seen similar techniques implemented all across the United States.
I can use pre-made templates to record salient data regarding the item of evidence being examined. I can also drop digital photos onto the same note page and annotate the images. This makes a powerful tool for forensic scientists who need to refer to their case notes during interviews, depositions and of course trial testimony.
Thumbnail of Example Case Notes
So when the blogosphere was all abuzz about the impending drop of Apple’s iPad, I cautiously hoped it would mean I could finally be free of Microsoft’s inferior OS, and whatever inferior hardware I was currently using.
Like other Apple tablet enthusiasts, I am disappointed in this first version of the iPad. I was excited to see an iWork implementation. It certainly got my hopes up. I was glad there are versions with and without 3G (I’d be buying w/o).
The lack of “digital ink” is a deal breaker. As is the lack of a built in, rear facing camera.
Imagine the possibilities. You’re out at a crime scene (or working at you bench), you snap a photo of your evidence, drop it onto your notes page, and can clearly document that item of trace before you remove it for preservation.
Now digital ink might be introducible later via 3rd party apps, but it won’t function natively with iWorks. And no 3rd party app developer is going to “code” a camera onto the iPad.
My wife is considering getting one. She does A LOT of blogging (basically codes this website and 4 other “professional” sites), and the iPad fits a need of hers. Something bigger than her iPhone, but more portable than her laptop.
As for me, and likely other professional users, we’ll have to wait for iPad 2.0, and hope it’s more than a bigger iPod Touch designed primarily to increase Apple revenue via digital media subscription/sales. Look at the significant hardware improvements between the first and second generation iPods, iPod Touch, and iPhone. Let the technophiles buy the first “beta” hardware, the normal user is better waiting for the 2nd generation which will likely be a vast improvement.
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