When I first saw the iPad demo, I thought the wide black bezel looked too thick - like; why couldn't they shrink it down some?
I had a chance to play with a coworker's iPad today and I realized the bezel is that thick by design - it's where your fingers go when you're holding the device. It really is well designed.
I wish clothing designers would do this, too. I like nice clothes, but I absolutely cannot stand any branding.
(I am specifically referring to "designer" jeans. All the jeans made of decent fabric seem to have retarded-looking designer-specific branding on them. For other stuff, American Apparel has treated me rather well.)
There's a simple solution for that, strip the brands off after buying. I do that to all of the stuff I have with brands on it as far as it is feasible, best make sure it really fits before you do that though!
I'm not a billboard, and I refuse to have companies stamp their brands on me.
"Branding is for cattle", is what I say about it. I also rip out the externals, if for some reason I even buy the stuff with it. I'm OK with the traditional maker's labels inside suit jackets, etc.
In older times, a person's monogram would be on handkerchiefs, shirts, bedsheets, etc. (I guess it was helpful as a laundry mark). Replacing that with the sellers brand is distasteful.
Not related at all but I find it amusing you can look at the iPad and determine by the screen smudges what task it's been used for recently. Horizontal lines on the right side? You've been reading a book. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed that on a glossy touchscreen, over time, some magical process happens (filth build up? chemical reaction?) where smudges just aren't very noticeable anymore. My iPhone 3G screen for example looks smudge free but I know if I give it a good cleaning it's really filthy. My theory is a base coat of filth builds up which is actually a good smudge repellent.
along similar lines, one of my favourite things about the iphone is the lack of carrier branding. i can only speak for australia, but carriers over here like to stick their logos all over the phone itself and re-brand the software interface also. it creates a horrible ugly mess.
This is also noticeable on all the other Apple products, especially laptops. I really disliked getting a top of the line Thinkpad from my old company and having those cheap Intel/Windows stickers.
Like maybe not branding half our pants, most of our shirts, and every single damn thing they sell us for kids to wear, eat, or play with? That'd be nice.
I don't think having a logo in the front is a big deal. My laptop, monitors, and tv's have logos on them and honestly it doesn't distract me at all, probably because the screens are bright or maybe I've just become accustomed to them.
I had a chance to play with a coworker's iPad today and I realized the bezel is that thick by design - it's where your fingers go when you're holding the device. It really is well designed.