Does the iPad change mobile blogging?

It’s only been a day or so since its unveiling but it seems like 90% of the world’s population has heard of the iPad already. Although we don’t know whether there’s going to be a specific WordPress app for the iPad yet, I’d bet that it’s going to be ready before mid-year. Besides, the iPad is already capable of running nearly every iPhone app as is.

One month after WordPress for iPhone 2 was released in early November 2009, there were over 55,000 installs on iPhones and iPods (who knows what that number is now after three months). Are these people really blogging from their iPhones or iPods? And if not, how are they using it? If you’re one of the folks who downloaded the WP app, I’d love to hear from you.

I have more apps installed on my iPhone than I need and even four pages worth for my kids alone. Yet not one is named WordPress. I love my iPhone as much as the next guy but I have no intention of ever blogging on it. To me, I’d like to think that when I’m out and about, the last thing on my mind is blogging or maintaining my blog.

The iPad could change my opinion about blogging on-the-go

Part of the reason why I don’t think about my blog when I’m not in front of a PC is that I’m doing something else. But what about when I’m commuting on a train or sitting idle at an airport? With my iPhone, I’d find hundreds of things to do that are more productive than trying to type a blog out. Additionally, I’m rarely tempted to pull my laptop out just to fire off a blog.

That said, the iPad’s offerings bring a unique dilemma to the table. It has a 9.7 inch screen and is only half an inch thick; that’s a very viable option. Big enough for me to actually type with relative comfort and small enough that it’s not a burden for me to use on the road.

The truth is, I may still not blog while I’m out. There’s nothing that I have to say that is so important that it can’t wait for me to get home.

But what about bloggers in niches who might? Like the bloggers who keep their readers up-to-date live shows, conferences, sporting events and concerts. If I was one of those guys, I might just be tempted to use the iPad for just that reason. I’d keep it tucked under my arm and whip it out when I have a need to create a quick blog post (too bad it doesn’t have a camera!).

Verdict: No

On the surface, the iPad is definitely a possible mobile blogging option. As great of a product the iPad is, it won’t affect that many bloggers. All it will do is save the handful of people who currently blog on their iPhones from having cramped fingers.

Only time will tell if mobile blogging will actually doable in reality for the masses.

BTW, speech-to-text blogging is just around the corner anyway.

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This entry was posted on 2010/01/28, 1:07 pm and is filed under Leveraging tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

48 Comments

At 2010.01.28 13:46, Technologian said:

Most of the Bloggers prefer to do the job at home. Some do it while having leisure times at malls, airports, or any other public places… It’s basically a mobile blogging, but as for the moment- I can see in my own opinion that there’s a great potential that new-school media personnel or bloggers will turn down their iPhones and grab a new iPad… Just my penny…
Technologian´s last blog ..Apple iPad Specs, Price, Video

[Reply]
- At 2010.01.28 14:56, Gabe Young said:
  
  I’m not sure who the target is for the iPad but it’s not me. Even with the sleek look, it doesn’t provide enough convenience over a laptop (it only wins by a hair!).
  
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At 2010.01.28 15:42, Technologian said:

Exactly… not even over netbooks as far as blogging is concern (thinking of multi-task)… One thing, Apple has still a very large target markets. And in fairness to Steve Jobs, a 140K apps built into this device, the specs, etc. – all of these lead to a breakthrough that would win the market in the next quarters…
Technologian´s last blog ..Apple iPad Specs, Price, Video

[Reply]
At 2010.01.28 17:00, Blogging – online blogging | SEO Mixer Blog said:

[...] Does the iPad change mobile blogging? | Free Blog Help3 hours ago by Gabe Young It's only been a day or so since its unveiling but it seems like 90% of the world's population has heard of the iPad already. Although we don't know whether. [...]

[Reply]
At 2010.01.28 17:56, Brad said:

I say yes but that’s assuming Wordpress doesn’t think the ipad user agent as a mobile phone meaning you will have to manually go normal browsing.

It is much much easier to mobile blog on the device. The screen is 10 inches so its close to my 15.4 inch laptop.

To bad I am to cheap to wrangle a iPad.
Brad´s last blog ..Apple Event January 27th, 2010

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At 2010.01.29 04:36, Eric said:

This is the first I’ve heard of this new device. I can’t say it sounds like something I would use a lot but as you said, Gabe, it sounds like it’d be handy for those bloggers who are updating their posts all the time about sporting events, concerts, so forth.

I’m going to check more into this though.
Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other

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At 2010.01.29 04:39, Dave Doolin said:

I’m seriously considering getting one of these.

My friends seem pretty well split into “It’s stupid” versus “It’s revolutionary.”
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Got Blogging Blues? Dr Johnson Cures What Ails You (& Week in Review)

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- At 2010.01.29 13:20, Gabe Young said:
  
  It’s probably both!
  
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  - At 2010.01.30 23:00, Olusegun said:
    
    Lol!
    
    it’s stupidly revloutionary or is is it revolutionarily stupid?
    Olusegun´s last blog ..The Challenges of A Nigerian Blogger
    
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    - At 2010.02.08 00:31, Dave Doolin said:
      
      I have a pro & con series coming.
      Dave Doolin´s last blog ..How To Rapidly Create Pillar Content For Your Blog
      
      [Reply]
At 2010.01.29 04:44, Arafat Hossain Piyada said:

I always love to blog when I’m in home so this new gadget has no appeal to me if I think it from blogging point of view but this gadget still worth enough for mobile blogger.
Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..Apple iPad search come with Fake Antivirus (Security Alert)

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At 2010.01.29 07:41, uberVU - social comments said:

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by lordzloth: RT @pnstlion Does the iPad change mobile blogging? http://bit.ly/cDm7ne...

[Reply]
At 2010.01.29 11:19, TechChunks said:

Call me over-ambitious but I am really disappointed with ipad and it’s specs and features. To me it is just another iPhone that has gone a feature make-over!

And about mobile blogging from an iPad, NO! I’m quite fine with my laptop as it offers me lot more blogging power and a better sense of comfort level.

My 2 cents…
TechChunks´s last blog ..Twitter Planning to Adopt Technological Ways to Stop the 140-Character Censor

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- At 2010.01.29 13:19, Gabe Young said:
  
  I love it! I just need to find a way to use it. Maybe I’ll get this instead of the new iPod touch for my 2 year old.
  
  [Reply]
  - At 2010.01.30 03:02, Valentina said:
    
    Watch it Gabe … your 2 year old will start blogging and steal all your peeps hearts!
    
    best…………valentina
    Valentina´s last blog ..Let The Games Begin!
    
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    - At 2010.01.30 21:33, Gabe Young said:
      
      He’s already on my iPhone more than I am and surfs the web on his own. I’m thinking he’ll be guest posting by next year.
      
      [Reply]
At 2010.01.29 15:41, Ms. Freeman said:

It’s pretty, shiny, and new however it is lacking a lot of features that I would need to see before I fork over $500 bucks. IE a camera, USB port and more.

But, its a start, I wait for the more updated version to come out in a few months to a year.
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Don’t Scrap Your Goals Just Re-Evaluate Them

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- At 2010.01.29 15:44, Brad said:
  
  Err It has a USB port. It’s a 30-pin connector. It’s iTunes sync only anyways due to the OS being locked down to external access.
  
  It has video out so that makes up for it.
  Brad´s last blog ..Open Letter To YouTube/Vimeo: You Are Hurting HTML5 Video Progress
  
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  - At 2010.01.29 15:59, Gabe Young said:
    
    But Ms. Freeman is right about the camera part. I guess it would look strange holding it up to take a pic?
    
    [Reply]
At 2010.01.29 16:21, Technologian said:

One thing also, since it uses Safari as a browser, I doubt if it will support Flash videos… Remember what happened on iPhone before? Flash plugin for iPhone was not supported on Safari… I’m afraid bloggers won’t close a deal of buying it…
Technologian´s last blog ..Apple iPad Specs, Price, Video

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- At 2010.01.29 19:24, Brad said:
  
  New demos of the device is showing that Apple is being passive agressive on flash suggesting HTML5 be better.
  
  Adobe is full on attacking Apple again…and so have I.
  
  Flash is available for jailbreak iPhone/iPod touch but then so is multitasking, and themes….tons more :/.
  Brad´s last blog ..Open Letter To YouTube/Vimeo: You Are Hurting HTML5 Video Progress
  
  [Reply]
- At 2010.01.29 23:25, Gabe Young said:
  
  Having Flash available for the masses is key. Being able to stream TV/video would really sweeten the iPad!
  
  [Reply]
At 2010.01.29 21:33, Women: The Key to the Apple iPad’s Success – PC Magazine | .:: MrCoi Blog ::. said:

[...] Does the iPad modify ambulatory blogging? | Free Blog Help [...]

[Reply]
At 2010.01.29 22:04, Tweets that mention Does the iPad change mobile blogging? | Free Blog Help -- Topsy.com said:

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Arafat Hossain , Brad Ward, Dave Michaels, Dave Joseph, Eric and others. Eric said: RT @pnstlion Does the iPad change mobile blogging? http://bit.ly/cDm7ne [...]

[Reply]
At 2010.01.30 10:02, Bucksome said:

I don’t see that it has any benefits over a $250 netbook. Am I missing something?
Bucksome´s last blog ..Customer Service Story: Lee Jeans

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- At 2010.01.30 21:34, Gabe Young said:
  
  Well, it’s smaller and can run about a gazillion apps. It’s just a gigantic iPhone though so you’re right, it won’t be able to do some “normal” PC stuff.
  
  [Reply]
At 2010.01.30 16:14, Dennis Edell said:

I’m with you Gabe. If I’m out and about, hopefully it’s with purpose and not a time to blog.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..The Time Has Come. The Deal Is Done. It’s Time To Move!!

[Reply]
- At 2010.01.30 21:36, Gabe Young said:
  
  Seriously, even when I’m on an hour-long train ride and bored out of my mind, I’d usually just play a game on my iPhone or on really bad days, I’ll even take out my DS. Blogging is probably the furthest thing from my mind.
  
  [Reply]
  - At 2010.02.03 11:27, Dan said:
    
    Me too! Blogging has its time and place and on a train, I just can’t think as well. What if I need to do some research and google stuff?
    
    [Reply]
At 2010.01.30 22:43, Olusegun said:

I definitely would love the speech to text blogging device. I just wonder how pitures will be added.
Olusegun´s last blog ..The Challenges of A Nigerian Blogger

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At 2010.01.31 05:20, Pubudu Kodikara said:

I will never use a mobile device for blogging! it leaves me lesser number of options than the PC! i can’t imagine blogging in iPad!
Pubudu Kodikara´s last blog ..Want to Completely Uninstall a Program Without Leaving Junk?

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At 2010.02.03 00:59, Dan said:

I can understand microblogging, but it’s very hard to do a full-blown blog from a mobile device.
Dan´s last blog ..Destiny vs Coincidence

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- At 2010.02.03 07:57, Gabe Young said:
  
  I actually can’t wait to see someone using one of these. If they’re able to type messages as quick as a normal keyboard, blogging should be very possible.
  
  I still wouldn’t want to do it though!
  
  [Reply]
At 2010.02.03 03:28, lenovo australia said:

It seems to me that the iPad is very much a tool for passive consumption rather than content creation, but I suppose no one is really pretending otherwise. Truth be told, it really does seem like an answer to the question no one’s asking.
lenovo australia´s last blog ..Lenovo Coupons

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At 2010.02.03 04:04, IT Lead Generation Services said:

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[Reply]
At 2010.02.04 10:44, Anne said:

I think Twitter has done that already. I’ve often wondered if mobile blogging will introduce a new shorter style of posts. Not sure yet.
Anne´s last blog ..Five Ways I Make Money from My Blogs and Sites

[Reply]
- At 2010.02.09 22:53, Gabe Young said:
  
  For some blogs, you’re probably right, shorter “micro-posts” might even work. But for blogs that are essentially living knowledge bases, these other devices simply slow us down.
  
  [Reply]
At 2010.02.09 03:32, Tinh said:

I myself do not think so. The important thing is your passion, it is not the device. Many bloggers use old computer at internet cafe in hot weather still blogging while many others with high advanced tools could not
Tinh´s last blog ..Facebook Reaches 400 Million Users On 6th Birthday

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At 2010.02.09 19:37, travel south america said:

One thing I do reckon is that the iPad will change blogging to a certain extent – probably will be a gradual development.

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At 2010.02.14 19:44, itouch applications said:

It’s very early days, i’d hate to give any opinions at this moment as im sure we’ll all look back and laugh at these predictions one way or another.

[Reply]
At 2010.02.16 16:10, iPad Accessories said:

Yes, I can see myself blogging on the go with the iPad.

iPad iPad Accessories
iPad Accessories´s last blog ..iPad Wired App Demoed on Video

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At 2010.02.16 16:12, iPad Accessories said:

I take that back about the iPad. It would be AMAZING to blog on the iPad.
The iPad Accessories keyboard would be nice. But I think I can go without it.
iPad Accessories´s last blog ..iPad Wired App Demoed on Video

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At 2010.02.18 14:21, sato travel said:

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[Reply]
At 2010.02.20 00:41, Restore Deleted Files said:

t’s very early days, i’d hate to give any opinions at this moment as im sure we’ll all look back and laugh at these predictions one way or another.

[Reply]
At 2010.02.25 20:13, tracy said:

these are really cool,the ipad 3g is due in april they are really cool!

[Reply]
At 2010.03.06 05:56, Smashing Saturday –> 6th March 2010 | BloggingJunction - Technology | Blogging | Wordpress | Make Money Online | Tips | Tricks - BloggingJunction said:

[...] 4.) Does the iPad change mobile blogging? [...]

[Reply]
At 2010.03.09 02:27, iPad said:

I definitely prefer to blog from home, but do have the WP app on my iPhone and have used it to add short updates. If I get the iPad (and that’s a big IF), I would probably use it to blog on the go.
iPad´s last blog ..Free iPad

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At 2010.03.19 16:07, free ipad said:

I think that the main issue (atleast in the UK) is going to be the 3G coverage with the 3G version. It’s just not good enough, things take forever to load on my iphone, and that’s meant to have good coverage. You’re fine if you’re in a Wifi enabled zone, but if you’re not, you’re stuffed.

[Reply]