Originally posted at Experience Planner blog.
At first glance, the new Apple iPad doesn’t appear to be a game changer. Honestly? What it is, is an upgraded, tricked-out iPod Touch and in typical Apple fashion, they’ve focused on basic functionality the first time out. There is no camera, no HDMI, no USB – not without an adapter, at least – and it lacks multi-tasking.
Apple has created a low-risk product based on their existing technology. So unlike the Apple iPhone, there’s no new real technological or user experience innovation here (i.e., touchscreen tech and an application delivery channel in the form of the Apple App store). I can only assume that Apple created this device at a fraction of what it cost to research, develop and market the technology behind iPhone and iPod Touch.
That being said – I, for one, will be getting in line two months from now to pick up a 16gb Wifi iPad.
Personally, I really enjoy the touchscreen experience. I’ve been an iPhone user for over two years and I’ve craved a larger touchscreen experience for watching films, reading books and playing games while on the go (as I travel for work frequently). I get that now with the iPad and I’ll buy it because of that. Yes – I could have that with a small laptop or netbook, but neither of those device types are built for delivering a portable, high-end media experience.
As a business user, I can even imagine leaving my laptop at home when I travel for business. The iPad has 80% of the functionality I primarily use on my laptop – messaging, full-web experience, and full-size document editing. The big drawback is the lack of multi-tasking; the same problem with iPhones and iPod Touch. But maybe that’s a good thing. It’ll force you (me) to focus for a change instead of tabbing through apps when you’re (I’m) on a conference call or in a meeting.
Summing it up, this is a low-risk effort for Apple. It’s not changing the game like the iPhone and the iPod before it, but it’s a comfortable foray into a market that will generate okay returns. I think it’s safe to say that Apple has not created a new market either (out of the gates at least). And I’d bet that behind closed doors they’re probably saying the same thing. Then again, that was probably the plan all along: assuming that the R&D costs were relatively miniscule, Apple can afford a two-year iPad experiment to see if a market emerges.
While Apple waits to see if that new market emerges, it begs the question: whose market will the iPad be stealing share from? Steve Jobs might pause when he looks in the mirror tonight because the answer is probably… Apple.
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James Sheldon
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http://poploser.org Tyler
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http://www.criticalmass.com Heidi Skinner
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http://www.criticalmass.com/ Scott Weisbrod
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Morag Johnston
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http://www.scottweisbrod.com Scott Weisbrod
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jessica
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http://www.scribd.com/doc/28972448/Getting-Your-Free-Best-Buy-Gift-Card Frederic Ferranto
