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Jan
iPad Initial Thoughts
Alright, so yesterday I talked a little bit about Apple’s big announcement prior to the actual press event. As predicted, Apple’s new “big thing” was a tablet. They named it the “iPad” which has created quite a few jokes already, but this will wear off as the device becomes a reality. So what are my initial thoughts? I’m glad you asked.
Firstly, let me say that the device looks “sexy,” but you would not expect anything else from Apple. However, I do not think this device is a game-changer by any means. There really was not any new technology introduced with it. It really is just any enlarged iPod Touch. I like the fact that they allow you to natively use iPhone apps on it in one of two sizes. Also, I am sure the multi-touch is really nice, but that is just an extension from the iPhone/iPod Touch. As you can tell, I was very underwhelmed by the device from the details I have read and the pictures and video I have seen.
Does it have a market? Sure. But I do not think it captures some brand new market. There is now just an Apple option in the Tablet space, which seems to be reemerging. I do not think it competes with the Kindle. The Kindle is a reading device. Period. The Kindle has e-ink, so it is just like reading a book. Plus the Kindle is only $259 including 3G. This iPad is a minimum of $499 with only Wi-Fi. If you want 3G, you are looking at a minimum of $629 plus at least $15/mo (for 250 MB; $30 for unlimited). Plus the books look to be more expensive that the Kindle or Nook. Ted Kennedy’s book, which Steve Jobs bought during the demo was $14.99. For the Kindle, that book is $9.99. The battery life on the iPad is impressive, but it certainly cannot go for days of use like the Kindle can. It is a device you will need to plug in every night, just like your phone. The iPad seems to have a very nice reader, but it is still a backlit screen, so if you want an e-reader, go with a Kindle. If you want a Tablet that can also function as an e-reader, then the iPad can do this (as can the iPhone or any device running Windows, by the way).
I am amazed that they kept the price on all models below $1000. That’s impressive. However, is a maximum of 64 GB going to be enough for this device? We will have to wait and see.
So, my initial thoughts are this device will sell and will do fairly well, but people aren’t going to suddenly realize they need a Tablet. The iPhone brought a whole new group of people to smartphones; I just do not see that happening in this case. I have been wrong before, though.
Congrats on being quoted in the News Sentinel today. Great thoughts on the iPad. It will probably sell a ton if only because its Steve Jobs new baby.
Keep up the good work!
January 31st, 2010 at 1:51 pmThank you, sir. I do agree that it will sell some simply because it is an Apple. However, I just don’t see a huge market for it. The competition here is the Netbook, not the Kindle. But then again, a netbook generally costs less, has a keyboard, and can multitask.
January 31st, 2010 at 2:11 pm