On January 27th, 2010 Apple launched the iPad.
“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”
What is the iPad?
The iPad is tablet PC that runs the iPhone operating system.
Basically, it looks like a giant iPhone.
Scratch that, a giant iTouch.
The iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds— thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook, but still bigger than a portable iTouch or iPhone.
The iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March 2010 starting at a rumored price of $499.
The iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with on-device activation and management.
The iPad has 3 important problems.
Let’s start with the biggest issue .
Problem #1: What is the value of having an iPad?
The question you have to ask yourself: what is an iPad worth to me?
If you already have an iPhone and a MacBook, why would you need an iPad?
Let’s put in much more simple terms. If you are thinking about buying your son a computer, would you buy him a netbook, a MacBook, a Windows 7 computer or an iPad?
Answers will vary. Personally, I think that the iPad is:
- Not as portable as an iPhone.
- Still Flash-challenged.
- Yet another monthly bill.
- And worst of all, leading to problem #2…
Problem #2: Another monthly bill of AT&T’s 3G network.
I <3 my iPhone.
I h8 AT&T’s spotty service.
Apparently, I am not the only one that has serious doubts about the ability of AT&T in meeting the data demand from iPhones around the country, and now Ipads.
A quick search of “AT&T customer” on Business Week reveals the following articles:
- AT&T’s iPhone Dilemma (April 30, 2009)
- Apple-AT&T: Hints of Strain (June 12, 2009)
- Can AT&T Meet iPhone Network Demands? (August 23, 2009)
- AT&T Mulls Plans to Deal with iPhone Data Demand (December 21, 2009)
- An AT&T Mystery: Abrupt New York iPhone Shutdown (December 28, 2009)
- Apple iPad Adds to Pressure on AT&T (January 28, 2010)
- AT&T’s iPhone Mess (February 03, 2010)
Yet another monthly AT&T bill? No thanks.
“Consumers may expect more from their iPad than the network can deliver at this point,” says Shira Levine, an analyst with Infonetics, a telecommunications market research firm. “There’s potential for more consumer dissatisfaction.” This reaction reflects the consumer dismay with the performance of AT&T’s wireless network and concern that adding the iPad will only add to the strain.
There is the option to buy the WiFi only iPad. But then again, that takes us back to the question posed under Problem #1: What is the value of having an iPad?
Problem #3: Social Media is mocking the iPad.
Mac heads love the “I am a Mac” ads that poke fun at PC users.
Nobody likes to be poked fun at.
Remember Apple’s Newton? Mac heads don’t like to be remembered about that one.
The iPad is heavily used to poke fun at Mac lovers.
It appears that the marketing department and Jobs did not do their due diligence when choosing the iPad name.
Conclusion
Unclear customer value, unreliable data network service of AT&T, and poor brand name cast a shadow of doubt on the performance of the iPad.
#2 is not true. If you even buy the model with 3G, it is a prepaid service. In other words, you can buy the 3G service and cancel it whenever you want. It is not a “monthly” fee.
If it is a prepaid service, wouldn’t you have to still pay-as-you-go?
Most likely it will become another monthly bill since you’ve invested about $500 in the iPad.
Now why would you get a 3G-able iPad, if you’re not planning to use the 3G?
How about writing a companion article – 3 things you can do with the iPad? Your 3 problems aren’t really problems. #3 — who cares? It hasn’t come out yet and opinions about things that people haven’t used are just speculation. Wait and see. #2 — 3G isn’t necessary as Carter points out. Buy the wifi only model. False argument. So you are left with #1 – not as portable as a phone and no Flash. Again, not much here. Is a netbook or a laptop as portable as a phone? No, but it’s still useful to people. Is Flash necessary – maybe for some, but it has issues and reduces battery life, so doing without it isn’t a big deal. Why not focus on what you could do with the iPad to understand why it might work for some people?
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your message. The idea behind this article came as a summary from my Google Buzz feed.
I clustered the comments that I saw into those 3 categories because it was good way to provide a summary.
Regarding an article about “3 things that can be done with the iPad”, I think that Apple is already doing a great job at that at its website.
These 3 problems may not appear as problems to everybody, but it surely did to a lot of people on Google Buzz.
As you say “[the iPad] might work for some people”, but not for all people.
-Damian
@idaconcpts
Just landed on this post via Google lookup. I love it. This situation change my percept and I am acquiring the RSS feeds. Cheers Up.
Hiya Im having issues finding cheap Ipad Accessories. Any advice on a great store to buy ??
Now that the iPad is poised to be launched, will Apples policies for apps for the iPad be more lenient than the iPhone? Clearly, the iPad is not the iPhone and Apple needs to loosen up its hard-line policies.
I was looking for in regards to Apple’s amazing new device. Cant wait to get mine in a couple of weeks
which version of the apple ipad are you getting ?
Hi, I must say fantastic website you have, I stumbled across it in Google. Do you get much traffic?
@Ana Yes, I get pretty good traffic. : )
Came across your blog when I was searching google I have found the bit of info that I was searching
for regarding apple ipads
Hey awesome post! I enjoyed that.
im loving the ipad personally. what do you think of it now? was it upto your standards?
After the first presentation of the iPad I was thinking that it is useless, but now with all the apps it´s offer so many things and I will buy it soon. The other products which I have seen aren´t so good like the iPad.
i am planning to buy an iPad since it looks lighter than a regular desktop and i do not use much of the features of a laptop.
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