Apple’s IPad is the new kid on the block but it may not be the bully as some of Apple’s products have been in the past.  The release of the IPad has just turned the Tablet war on to full throttle and has gotten the world’s attention.   The bad news for Apple is that the IPad is probably not going to dominate the market like it’s predecessor products such as the IPhone and IPod. Apple has started the war but they already need an updated model in a year or less to compete.  Here are a few ideas that I think the IPad is missing.

The Pen

Where’s the stylus pen to take notes with?  No one is going to use their Notes app if they have to type each note.  I want to be sitting in a business meeting or a classroom and take notes on my Tablet in lieu of a paper notebook.  Imagine if Apple also let us write emails by writing.  Microsoft has had software (OneNote) for years that can translate writing styles.  Apple has proven that they have the software geniuses and the hardware guys to make this happen so again, where is the pen?

Say Cheese

Ok, so the IPad doesn’t have phone support like the IPhone.  I personally thing that’s a good thing because I just can’t see me talking on a 9 inch phone however what happen to the camera that’s in the IPhone?  The IPad would be perfect for Mom to Skype with her daughter or granddaughter.  How about a business man doing a teleconference meeting with all members linked together through their IPad tablets.  Apple could start by having online interactive IPad development classes to learn how to design apps for the IPad.

Blue File Sharing

No, I’m not telling you Apple should make all their Icons blue but Bluetooth would certainly improve this IPod touch.. err I mean IPad.  Imagine if the new IPad had Bluetooth technology that could pick up on other IPads in the same area.  Yes, you could sit in a class and share white boards with your stylus and then just push the ideas back and forth to the different IPads.  How about putting your IPad up on it’s nifty charger and just bring an external keyboard close to type.  The tablet could even be made into a remote control for all your electronics if Bluetooth existed.  I guess the designers are trying to tell us Bluetooth is only good for phone calls.  There’s no drooling for the 3rd party accessory makers on this one.

Where Are You?

Don’t ask this question to the IPad; it can’t answer.  There’s no GPS in the IPad.  So you’re sitting in the coffee shop reading the daily news on your out of town trip.  You decide you would like to see all stores in walking distance of you.  Well, you better go ask the girl working the cappuccino machine because your IPad can’t tell you.  That is, unless you know the address then you can type it in.  And don’t worry about downloading the Tom Tom app so you can have someone to talk to you because it won’t be very talkative without the GPS.

Get Busy or be #2

HP, Dell, and Asus already have tablets on the market or coming out in the next year.  These Tablets don’t have all the listed amenities either but it’s just a matter of time before one does.  Right now the consumer will have to shop around and buy one of his/her liking similar to the way we buy cell phones.  If Apple or any other company wants to lead the Tablet market, they need to create a revolutionary machine; not a repackaged IPod on growth hormones.