iPad: My Take as a Non-Owner
The iPad looks awesome. The device looks to be a much better eBook reader than the Kindle, Nook or Sony’s offering. I’ve messed around with those three devices and really hated the way the screen “flashed” when changing pages and displayed text. The iPad on the other hand displays just like a computer screen. My eyes are accustomed to reading on such a screen. The fact that an iPad can do more than just read books makes it appealing as well. I have written in the past that I really don’t care to make the switch to an eReader to read books, but consuming magazines on the device might actually get me to switch. The only issue is that subscribing to the print version of some magazines is incredibly cheap. For example, Time is only $20 for 12 issues delivered to my door. The iPad version of the same magazine is $4.95 an issue resulting in an annual cost of $260. I’m sure that once more and more magazines begin iPad/eReader only formats that the price structure will begin to standardize, but as for now, the cost is far too high.
According to TechCrunch the iPad sold 300,000 units on opening weekend. The bigger number is that 250,000 eBooks were purchased for the device. At $9.99 as an average price per eBook = $2,500,000 in sales. A pretty significant number.
Looking at the iPhone as a comparable marker, look at the search trends for each device:
The iPad has a much larger search volume near launch than the iPhone had. This could be due to the iPhone being able to pave the way for more consumers to become aware of the Apple brand. While these users might have been PC only at that time, once they switched from a Blackberry to an iPhone they were more open to what Apple had to offer. While a switch to an Apple laptop might have been a huge leap, the switch to an Apple phone was much easier. The iPad’s sales numbers for were higher than the Iphone’s during launch.
Do i want an iPad?
I’m not sure. I really can’t figure out what I would do with one. My son might use it on road trips, but the iPhone works just fine for him now (as does the mini-DVD) player we own. I might use it to read magazines, but the initial cost of the device just does not make a purchase worthwhile. I don’t watch a ton of web-TV and when I do, I just plug my MacBook directly into my TV. The applications available look nice, but how many are just larger versions of their iPhone counterparts?
I think I’ll wait on getting an iPad for now. I am curious to know what the next iPhone upgrade will entail? Thinner? More memory? Better camera?
Some iPad Links:
10 Essential iPad Tips & Tricks
iPad Sales
Gregory Ng’s iPad Love (he makes a good point about using it as a notetaker)
Lego iPad photo via jmenomeno
View Comments to “iPad: My Take as a Non-Owner”
From another “non-ipad” owner, I have similar thoughts. I am really confused at who it is marketed too. I did strike up a conversation with an elderly stranger over the weekend in which she asked me, “would you buy the ipad?”
Since I am unique case- I said no. But for her situation (not having a smart phone or a decent portable computer), I find it might be suitable for her.
If people start reading entire books on these things with backlit LED screens- eyecare costs will skyrocket in 10 years.
The thing that interests me most about the iPad is the technology inside it, namely, the screen, which I’m glad to hear is computer screen clear, and the mobile processor, which I think will have a greater impact on technology than the iPad itself in the long run.
I’m still very much a hard-copy kind of book, magazine, and newspaper reader, and I’m not a big webTV guy either, so I don’t think the iPad is for me. I wonder what it would take to make it a must-own for me. It’s probably a lot more than Apple’s willing to invest.
Good graphic from Google Trends, too, and your analysis was exactly what I was thinking about the iPad benefiting from Apple’s ability to consistently build on its own brand and maximize their exposure.
I read my iPhone in bed each night (RSS feeds) and I already am having eyesight issues. (thought it could be that I’m pushing 40 )
I told my dad to get my step-mother a netbook a few months ago and once the details of the iPad were announced wondered if it would be a better fit.
All she’d want a netbook for is email, web, and download audio books to her mp3 player (not an iPod). An iPad would let her do all 3 things easily, but I wonder if the device is simple enough for her to set-up on her own. Is it simple enough to be of use to the 50+ market, but full-featured enough for everyone else?
I agree. The iPod got Apple into homes. This allowed Apple to tap into the computer sales to more than designers. The iPod enabled the MacBook, enabling the iPhone, enabling the iPad.
Also, the iPad isn’t a bad name at all.
Apple didn’t get it right on this Gen (1). Wait for Gen 2 or even Gen 3.
So far all the pundits are doing is making excuses for it’s shortcomings. No multi-tasking is followed by “do you really need it”. What? I multi-task on my Blackberry all the time. Opening a web site, switch to email, read/reply in my twitter app, back to the browser to see if the page has loaded, back to email and twitter, switch to the camera, take a photo…and so on.
I have an iPod touch and I don’t like having to “exit” out of an app just to do something else.
And you will still need a PC/Mac to sync it. I want wireless syncing. My AppleTV can sync wirelessly so why can’t the iPad or Wifi enabled iPods?
What about setting this up on a table? How do you eat and drink while constantly holding it? Do you have to buy a stand and lug that around with the iPad?
Apple will have to try again to get me to buy in.
I agree. I wish that at least 2 apps at once could be open at once might help. It isn’t a huge annoyance for me as I don’t expect the device to replace a computer, but I do expect a bit more than being an over-sized iTouch for that price.
My husband bought one b/c he’s developed iPhone apps and naturally he wants to develop for the iPad.
Anyway, I have to say the iPad is fun. But it really depends on what you want it for. I’m trying to develop some graphic design skills and Autodesk’s Sketch book is really sweet.
eBooks on the iPad are very nice – although I can’t imagine reading that glare-prone screen outside. And they need a much bigger collection than what’s available.
It was shockingly much easier to type on than I thought it would be.
i think it’s a FANTASTIC device for kids. And the more apps that are developed for it, the more that will be the case. The educational opportunities on this device are amazing. And the free books available for reading on the device include classic books you want your kid to read like Mark Twain books or the Time Machine. good stuff.
I *do* think that if you’re on the fence, then wait. I think the iPad will be like the iPod in that it will evolve and get better. If you’re not an early adopter-type – then wait for this thing to improve in a generation or few. (and maybe the price will come down too???)
I think my son would get more use out of the device than I would.
How does the device differ from an iPod Touch? Is it just ‘bigger” or does it offer something else?
The thing that interests me most about the iPad is the technology inside it, namely, the screen, which I'm glad to hear is computer screen clear, and the mobile processor, which I think will have a greater impact on technology than the iPad itself in the long run.
I'm still very much a hard-copy kind of book, magazine, and newspaper reader, and I'm not a big webTV guy either, so I don't think the iPad is for me. I wonder what it would take to make it a must-own for me. It's probably a lot more than Apple's willing to invest.
Good graphic from Google Trends, too, and your analysis was exactly what I was thinking about the iPad benefiting from Apple's ability to consistently build on its own brand and maximize their exposure.