Why Is Every Non-geek In My Family in a Froth About the iPad?

[Lemur]

I'm kinda bleh about the iPad announced today. It might be cool, I'm sure it's well-designed, but I can't get all worked up about it. My extended family, on the other hand ... hmm. I've had not one but two relatives call me in the middle of my workday and demand to know what I thought of the thing. They're watching the unveiling on CSPAN. No, really, they are.

What do Orgahs think? Is this really a big deal, or is it just crazed hype? From what I've heard the iPad is just a supersized iPhone. Which is cool, and nice, but not really earth-shaking, y'know?

It's still being announced, so here's a kinda-live link if you want to read up. And here's the Apple product page.

[TinCow]

It's a product without a market.

16gb drive? An iPod Nano has a 16gb drive. With an OS installed, that means the iPad won't even be able to hold the full playlist of an iPod Nano, but it costs $500. The 64gb drive is acceptable if still poor, but that's $730/$830. That's into heavy laptop pricing areas right there. It's thin and light, which is nice, but the 10" screen means it still requires a bag to carry it around in... so if you're carrying the bag, why aren't you carrying a laptop? If you want to do serious word processing, you'll get the keyboard attachment, and suddenly it's no longer as light and portable anymore. No flash capabilities. No USB ports. Can't play DVDs because there's no DVD drive.

If you can have this for $100 less than the most basic iPad and this for less than the top of the line iPad, why would you buy an iPad?

[Lemur]

TinCow, I am reminded of a couple of years ago when I posted the brand-new Asus EeePC, asking what Orgahs thought, and was roundly told by Whacker that netbooks made no sense, had no market, and would never succeed.

So based on your post, I'm guessing the iPad will be a colossal hit.

[al Roumi]

If you can have this for $100 less than the most basic iPad and this for less than the top of the line iPad, why would you buy an iPad?

'Cos you've got more money than sense?

Isn't it just an Apple e-book with extra functionality?

Edit:

LOL Apple IZ teh suxxx0rs

[Lemur]

Okay, maybe I was unclear in my OP, but here's the thing: Non-geeks are in a tizzy over this thing. Yes, as computer geeks we an weigh the netbook alternatives on NewEgg, and we can expound at length on the foolishness of using a custom-designed CPU, but that's not really the point, friends.

Every non-geek I know is getting a little bonkers about this. Consider that before posting yet another Apple IZ teh suxxx0rs thought, please.

-edit-

Engaget gets the first hands-on. If this gets adopted by a few hospitals, a few universities, this could be a very large phenomenon.

[TinCow]

TinCow, I am reminded of a couple of years ago when I posted the brand-new Asus EeePC, asking what Orgahs thought, and was roundly told by Whacker that netbooks made no sense, had no market, and would never succeed.

So based on your post, I'm guessing the iPad will be a colossal hit.

Netbooks succeed because of price and functionality. The bottom level iPad is too underpowered for a netbook and the top level is too overpriced for a netbook. Everyone thinks that everything Apple touches turns to gold, but that's not remotely true. Apple have had several big flops in recent years, most notably AppleTV and the Macbook Air. Both times it was because Apple butted into an existing market with a product that was over-priced for its functionality. The iPod and the iPhone were huge hits despite their price tags because they essentially created new markets. That's not going to happen with the iPad, because the market already exists via netbooks and laptops, both of which will be direct competition for the iPad. Apple are even competing with themselves, since a basic Macbook only goes for $999.

Every non-geek I know is getting a little bonkers about this. Consider that before posting yet another Apple IZ teh suxxx0rs thought, please.

I share an office with 3 non-geeks. None of them care at all about the iPad.

[Lemur]

The iPod and the iPhone were huge hits despite their price tags because they essentially created new markets.

You're referring, of course, to how the iPod was the first MP3 player, and how the iPhone was the first smartphone? Except, of course, they weren't. I'd say your analysis is heavy on grump and light on fact.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Perhaps it's the fact that they aren't geeks that they're in a tizzy.

We know that it's very meh, that you can't get better, more capable things for cheaper, that the functionality is very limited, that the HD is abysmally small, that Jobs is a liar for saying it's better than a laptop at anything but mobility and size. Heck, laptops can have VOIP and webcams and USB camera connections.

But the non geeks? Those ones who are in awe at this, I suspect, don't know all that. They see a very slick device, something that doesn't look like any other computer, something with touch screen that's much larger than the iPhone. Because of all the hype, they're interested in a way they aren't usually interested in new electronics. They perhaps saw the demos and the "magical and revolutionary device" quote and even if they don't fully buy it they do think it is new and does all these amazing things.

In short; Apple has very good marketing.

CR

[TinCow]

You're referring, of course, to how the iPod was the first MP3 player, and how the iPhone was the first smartphone? Except, of course, they weren't. I'd say your analysis is heavy on grump and light on fact.

Of course they weren't the first, but they were so far ahead of the competition in ergonomics and functionality that they single-handedly changed the market for those products. MP3 players had almost no market share in portable music players before the iPod, and afterward the industry exploded. People quickly started buying MP3 players in general, even other brands, because of the impact the iPod had. For the iPhone, there was almost no consumer market for smartphones before it was released. It was used a lot for business work, but the consumer market was practically non-existent. Now, consumer smartphones are huge money.

Netbooks and laptops are already gigantic product sectors. There's no market niche missing from that picture for Apple to exploit. So, instead they're going to be going up against the established products that everyone knows and everyone already uses. Which is exactly where Apple failed with Apple TV and the Macbook Air.

[Scienter]

I wrote a longer post but the forum ate it.

I'm pretty geeky, and can see the appeal. It has that "ooooh, shiny!" factor and might be useful for a person who doesn't have or want a laptop. Most geeks already have laptops, so I don't see why this would be useful for them. But, apple products look cool and their marketing department is very, very good.

[Lemur]

Netbooks and laptops are already gigantic product sectors. There's no market niche missing from that picture for Apple to exploit.

Netbooks make up less than 10% of the notebook market, or at least they did as of the end of 2009. e-book readers, by way of comparison, are estimated at a $1.2 billion market, as opposed to the $109 billion portable computer market.

I'm not going to look for the smartphone numbers 'cause I'm getting statistical fatigue.

Anyway, if Apple provides an e-book reader/netbook/phone replacement all-in-one device, and does its usual job of exposing the 10% of functionality most users need in a slick interface, well ... it sounds rather more like your formulation of "creating a new market" than "the market already exists via netbooks and laptops," as you put it.

I know full well that Apple makes flops. Seen 'em, touched 'em, steered friends and relatives away from 'em, repaired a few in my time. But this does not fit into the classic mold of the Apple iFailure.

[Beskar]

It really was my post replying to Lemur that crashed the forum... I blame you.

[TinCow]

If the iPad is pushed strongly as an e-book reader, I can see it being successful because the Kindle and the Nook have so far failed to penetrate the market very well. I do wonder whether it will succeed though, because 10 hours of battery life is a fraction of what the Kindle and Nook offer. Still, not having an e-reader myself, I don't really know what kind of common usage they are getting and whether that battery life is useful or not. If a 10 hour charge on an e-reader is enough, then the iPad could work well in that segment.

[Beskar]

If a 10 hour charge on an e-reader is enough, then the iPad could work well in that segment.

It should be at least something like 40 hours worth, as in, you can go on Long Weekend-Short Holiday and won't need a charger or anything.

[drone]

iPad? Seriously? Should have just called it a Newton ][.

[Scienter]

If the iPad is pushed strongly as an e-book reader, I can see it being successful because the Kindle and the Nook have so far failed to penetrate the market very well.

Cite? I see Kindles everywhere. I thought they were doing really well.

I don't think I'd want to read a book on the iPad screen. The reason I like e-ink displays is because I don't feel like I'm killing my eyes by looking at it. Reading a book on an iPad would feel like reading one on my monitor unless it comes with some kind of special display setting that won't kill my eyes.

[Gregoshi]

Bah! Another iSmearMyGreasyFingersAcrosstheScreen device. I'm not a fan of fingerprints and smudges on a screen and this seems like a larger canvas for my masterpiece "Scrolling in Grease".

Also, with a screen that large, I wonder how durable it is.

[Subotan]

It looks like an iPhone with an eating disorder.

[Lemur]

Apparently it has about the same heft in the hand as a Kindle DX. More and better pictures here.

[Gregoshi]

It looks like an iPhone with an eating disorder.

Or an iPhone from the 70s (think the "bag phone").

[TinCow]

Cite? I see Kindles everywhere. I thought they were doing really well.

I took a look and apparently Amazon refuses to release numbers on their sales. One article estimates 2-3mil sales last year, which would put the Kindle's sales on par with early iPod sales. They seem pretty low to me, but I'll certainly be eating my words if Kindle sales explode like iPod sales did.

[naut]

In the commercial market its another useless gadget. But, I guess people with more money than acumen will go nuts.

I could see it having potential in say the Medical field though, replace old doctors charts with centrally networked iPads.

Haha, iPads, Apple has decided to enter the female sanitary market.

[Xiahou]

It's a product without a market.

I agree. It's too big to be truly portable, and too limited to be a PC replacement. If I were in the market for such a device, why wouldn't I buy an Iphone/Ipod instead?

They're much cheaper, more portable and do a lot of the same things.

As for use as an e-reader, something like Kindle with its electronic ink type display is much easier on the eyes for extended reading.

[ICantSpellDawg]

I'm kinda bleh about the iPad announced today.

It isn't what I would have hoped it would be. It's a larger screened Ipod Touch.

The idea that you can add a small keyboard and make it an effective mini pc is getting there, but I think they've intentionally missed the boat. Back to the drawing board, there is nothing new here. This made the Ipod touch and new kindle much better options in my opinion, seeing as true innovation is a long way away. I don't get the idea of this as a backlit e-reader. Those have been out for ages. The kindle is a hit because it doesn't burn the eyes.

[CountArach]

It's puuuurrrrdy.

[Fragony]

If this book reading thing works as well as they claim I will be getting one just for that. I am certainly interested but I am worried about screen angle, but if the screen is good and the keyboard works for long texts it's going to be my mobile hub.

[CBR]

Not sure how good it will be for ebooks but tempting it is. The small display on a iPhone/PDA is pretty much worthless for any serious surfing, vids or pics and for such stuff there is little need for a keyboard.

So although its an Apple product it is pretty much the gadget I have been waiting for.

I am certainly interested but I am worried about screen angle..

It says it is IPS so viewing angle should be very good.

[miotas]

Let analyse Steve's presentation shall we?

Customisable background - I can customise my phone's background
Web browsing - My phone has the internet too
Rotatable display - My phone's display rotates as well
Email - My phone has the net so obviously I can send email
Viewing photos - My phone can even take them
Calendar - My phone has a calendar
Contacts - Well dur
Google maps - You already mentioned the internet a few times Jobsie
Music - Very few phones now can't play mp3's
Youtube videos - My phone can play videos
TV - Phone screen is too small for this, but then, so is the iPad screen really.

And to top all of this off, my phone fits in my pocket. Fancy that.

They are trying to spin a giant phone that can't make calls, unfortunately it seems they are succeeding.

[A Very Super Market]

I like those old cellular phones. How they were basically boxes with a wire attached.

This is just another one of apple's products which are bought by consumers merely for prestige. It really mean little, so little that any amount of rational thinking would give cause to dismiss it entirely. Ah well, people like their fruits.

[Furunculus]

I'm kinda bleh about the iPad announced today. It might be cool, I'm sure it's well-designed, but I can't get all worked up about it. My extended family, on the other hand ... hmm. I've had not one but two relatives call me in the middle of my workday and demand to know what I thought of the thing. They're watching the unveiling on CSPAN. No, really, they are.

What do Orgahs think? Is this really a big deal, or is it just crazed hype? From what I've heard the iPad is just a supersized iPhone. Which is cool, and nice, but not really earth-shaking, y'know?

its very cool, but for me it is unnecessary, i have a Nokia n900 maemo tablet/phone. it does everything for me that i want it to.

Customisable background - I can customise my phone's background
Web browsing - My phone has the internet too
Rotatable display - My phone's display rotates as well
Email - My phone has the net so obviously I can send email
Viewing photos - My phone can even take them, and geotag them, and upload them.
Calendar - My phone has a calendar
Contacts - Well dur
Google maps - It has Ovi Maps
Music - Very few phones now can't play mp3's
Youtube videos - Full flash 9.4 support
TV - Guess what, the n900 comes with a TV-out cable too

No multi-tasking = No Way - after using my n900 i would never go back to a non-multitasking device, way too 20th century!

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ipad gets islated by the engadget team:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/e...t-on-the-ipad/