Early Adoption Fatigue

I have written several posts now on the topic of the Apple iPad, a device I purchased only a week after its debut in stores.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the device, found it has replaced several other devices, and it goes with me everywhere I travel.  It has become an indispensable tool.  I have also loaded it with apps, music, movies, books, and anything else I can think of which might be helpful at the touch of an on-screen button.

Yet, it's wearying being an early adopter, especially of such promising new technology which will inspire whole industries to compete in providing new applications and peripherals.  For starters, I have nearly every major app currently released for the iPad, not to mention several older apps released for the iPhone and which run in compatibility mode.  App development and release will take some time, especially with the 4.0 firmware update around the corner.  Many developers are taking their time getting to know the new hardware and OS, which is fine.  I want solidly developed apps, not a rush to market with a shoddy product.

The same goes for peripherals.  Apple has released a limited line of peripherals, but 3rd party manufacturers haven't caught up yet, nor do I expect them to so soon after launch.  It takes time to get these things right and I am expecting a flood of new stuff, both hardware and software, later in the year.  The bottom line is that I find myself fatigued by the impatience of waiting for new, cool stuff to take advantage of the iPad's capabilities.  It's been a daily routine to check for the latest app releases or updates to existing apps and download them right away if anything appears.  My focus is now on actually using my device for what it was intended.  It's become my book reader, web browser, and primary email client.  It's also my complete day planner and scheduler.  Until new stuff comes out, I am content to use the apps I have.  The iPad still attracts a lot of attention when I use it in public and maybe some of that attention is what fuels my craving for ever more cool stuff to demonstrate on it.  My casual use of it at home turns into a public spectacle when I break it out in a coffee shop.  That will change, as more people grow usd to seeing them being used and I have made some effort to actually disguise my use of the iPad in public.  I carry it in a zippered case and try not to make it obvious I am using it.

In short, it's lonely being an early adopter, but it's still cool to be on forefront of what was once a niche and dying market for tablet computers.  Have you gotten yours yet?