There is no doubt that Apple managed to create huge noise and discussion in the run up to, the actual announcement and the launch day of the iPad in the USA (a week ago as I write this). There has been monstrous amounts of coverage, comment and discussion.
One of the most common threads and themes through the whole process is around What the hell is the device for and Who the hell would want one.
There has been a lot of debate about people saying they do not see how it would replace what they have already (PC/ laptop/ smartphone/ blackberry etc) and it was surely just an oversized iPhone. Some more kindly said Apple geeks would buy it, and as there were a lot of those it would be a nice little side earner for the company.
I have watched the debate with interest, and then saw 2 comments that were “AHA” moments for me. 2 things that made it all clear.
The first comment was: “the iPad is a content consumption device, not a content creation device”
The second was: “the iPad is perfect for your mother”
It all made such sense to me, and of course the 2 thoughts are related, although I did come across them in different articles and comments.
Let me explain why I saw these as so profound and clear:
Anyone who has an iPhone knows the quality of images and look at stuff viewed on it is stunning. It is a great device to use, even for someone like me who struggles t use a laptop without a mouse! It is though damn hard to type and work on traditional content generation (be it documents, presentations etc). The iPad will not really overcome that, but will be big, beautiful and clear for consuming content like books, websites, video, applications, playing games and so on.
And so to the next point. People like my mother have no interest in creating content. They want to consume it, view it and at most tap out a simple email. They also do not want to have to have a desk for a PC or laptop, have it out or around, boosting it up and logging on. The iPad would be perfect. Easy to have in a drawer or in her bag. Easy to sit down with a coffee and consume.
Time will tell, but it seems to me that the iPad is a device to consume media by people who don’t want all the content creation capability a PC has.
Me I want it because I love gadgets. But at least I now know why I want it and how I will use it....
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4 comments:
I must be your mother! It would look a LOT more beautiful on my trying-to-be-minimalist kitchen than the ugly wires sticking out everywhere from the huge laptop I'm typing on right now - that's why I wish I had 1....
But Gary, is a content creation device a good thing? Ranting case against: http://www.buzzmachine.com/2010/04/04/ipad-danger-app-v-web-consumer-v-creator/
I don't agree with all of the concerns, but a move away from 'web' to 'apps' must surely have an impact.
Still going to buy one though! :o)
Nice to see someone with an opinion a it similar to mine since there are so many writing it off. At the time of launch I wrote in my blog http://carolineandrover.blogspot.com/2010/01/ipad-success-or-flop.html that it would be for women and families. There are alot of people who are very "techie" who write about everything it can't do and fail to understand that a lot of people just need an extra device in the house to use for internet and that will be mostly social media, video, photos etc.
I think your point of view is interesting. It seems that the media is either bashing the Ipad or loving it. I think for me, as a college student, it is not an ideal product. But there are some markets out there that it is perfect for. It's just like anything else on the market...some people will love it and some will hate it. It's all about finding the right segment to market to.
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