Are you digging AAPL's new iPad?

bigdog posted on 02/02/10 at 03:47 PM


So Apple's big news hit last week: they're releasing the iPad, a challenger to Kindle and a new device-category. The iPad combines the touch-screen and wireless capabilities of an iPhone with the generous screen size and full-power functionality of an iMac laptop (although considerably skinnier).

Are you a believer or a skeptic? Both seem to be out in equal measure on this one. In reporting the announcement, WSJ was quick to note the iPad lacks an integrated camera (not a big deal, in my view). More seriously, you can only run one app at a time on the iPad, so no multi-tasking like a true laptop.

Some experts were surprised at the aggressive price-point, $499, to Kindle's $249. Given how much more an iPad is designed to do than a Kindle, I'd say the iPad price compares favorably; compared to a full-price laptop, it's relatively a bargain.

Still, it's a sizeable chunk-o-change to drop for yet another device if you have both a laptop and cell phone. Do you have 500 bucks to spare on a device primarily geared for reading on-the-go? Not everyone does.

So what's the reaction out there? WIRED reporter Charlie Sorrel wasted no time listing 10 Things Missing From the iPad. ZDNet blogger Matthew Miller probably summed up the response from many ardent Apple fans: "Who do I think I am fooling? iWill be buying an iPad?" Interesting read, as Miller was initially a skeptic and fan of Barnes & Noble (BKS) eReader, the nook.

Amazon (AMZN), BKS and other book-retailers may not be the only ones vulnerable to the iPad. WSJ's Niraj Sheth notes that AT&T (T) held onto their exclusive deal with Apple in the short-term, but the iPad's data-sucking may worsen the burden the cellphone carrier is already struggling under (with variable success, btw).

So, what's your POV? Are you racing to the Apple store, or holding onto your bucks until the price drops?
 
[image of iPad from Apple.com]
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Posted by bigdog on 02/02/10 at 03:47 PM

Comments

Cow-a-sock-ee_thumb Brokerage Account

corbinb2 posted February 02, 2010 (05:02PM)

As I've said before and further to your point. While interesting, I see no reason to buy an iPad for my needs. If I wanted to read books electronically, I'll buy a Kindle (maybe), although when I decide to read a book, it's is more about the experience of flipping the pages, holding the book etc, as much as it is about actually reading it. Besides what would I do with all my bookmarks that would be rendered useless?

Kidding aside, what Apple needed her was mini laptop, but better than a Netbook in order to really hit it out of the park here.

On a technical basis, no multi-tasking will keep me from buying one. The lack of a camera doesn't bother me, though it should have been in there. At the end of the day, I have better things to do with $500 than experiment with something that only does part of what I need. Perhaps the iPad 2 will be better?
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Nophotosm Brokerage Account

dieuwer posted February 02, 2010 (08:04PM)

Same here. No multitasking is a big no no. Also, no office products is a big no no.
Camera? Who cares.
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Steves_thumb Brokerage Account

Lamp posted February 03, 2010 (03:10AM)

Bigdog my first reaction..........Wow, I would like to have one!!!!!!!!!!!  My wife said what our you going to use it for???  Well I said I have a I-Phone,Blackberry, Laptop,Desktop and a MP-3 player. Well I said I really don't know. Since I like reading my books in print form, I am at a lose at finding a real reason, but if I work hard enough at it I am sure I can rationalize it someway. Maybe I could say it is a toy or something. Oh well I will come up with something sooner or later.:))))))))))))))
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Cow-a-sock-ee_thumb Brokerage Account

corbinb2 posted February 03, 2010 (08:38AM)

and here is another opinion...lol

http://blogs.cioinsight.com/knowitall/content001/the_industry/doubting_the_ipad.html?kc=CIOMINUTE02032010CIO1
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Nophotosm Brokerage Account

hgwells posted February 03, 2010 (03:26PM)

Example
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Don_new_profile_image_thumb TradeKing Staff Member

bigdog posted February 04, 2010 (09:16AM)

Yup, it's fascinating to try to handicap AAPL's strategy, particularly when it's just starting to unfold. I remember thinking the iPod Touch was a totally useless device when it rolled out...until Courtney bought me one for Christmas a couple of years ago. I never travel without it, and I am in an airport almost every week. That "useless" iPod Touch has enabled me to trade on our site, get great work done, and enjoy thousands of hours of music on flights.

My experience bears out in the numbers, too: Apple has sold a tremendous number of those things. You could even now say the iPod Touch effectively killed the category for non-wireless PDAs, while priming the appetites of thousands of potential new iPhone buyers - all while paying its own way in sales revenue. That's some serious "strategery" there.

So maybe the iPad represents a new category we can't fully appreciate yet. But I gotta say, for now I agree with your assessment (and with the CIO Insight Know-It-All columnist). iPad 2 may be the serious shark in the waters, with all its kinks fully worked out.

By the way, just found an article in Slate's The Big Money about all the industries potentially impacted by the iPad - fittingly, it's titled "The iPad is Most Important for Businesses Not Named Apple": http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/0s-1s-and-s/2010/01/27/ipad-most-important-businesses-not-named-apple.

I'm not prepared to call Kindle down for the count yet, either. I lusted after the Kindle DX when it came out, so much so that BOTH my parents and Cort bought me one for my birthday this year! True, the iPad offers a full-color screen, whereas the Kindle's still stuck in black-and-white - but I can vouch for its much-touted easy-reading screen, plus its ability to make fonts as large as you want - great for my troubled eyes.

I use my Kindle every day, adding magazine subscriptions to it as my paper ones gradually expire. I read the WSJ on it every day, too. I have read 3 books for *pleasure* in the past 6 months - something I just hadn't found the wherewithal to do in a couple of years. That's a tough act for Apple to follow.
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DiceDawg posted February 04, 2010 (03:09PM)

So call me resistant to change, but sitting in front of a Laptop all day, Blackberry and land line by my side, reading a book on electronic media does not inspire me. Perhaps I should enter into the fray, but by the end of the day with eyes fried wide open, my body seems to jump into frantic resistance when the thought of adding a Kindle or I-Pad to the arsenal is considered. Not to say that I don't read electronic media mind you, I create it! I completed an online degree while working over the last two years reading most of the materials from my laptop, not a totally pleasant scenario, printing out the materials when I could.
BigDog, I resisted the I-pod, but use that software for my Blackberry to Laptop interface, and listened to hours of music on the fly. If I rid myself of the Blackberry (a future probability) the I-pod will be necessary. But, I digress, a digital one app  wireless flat-board reader sounds cumbersome. Can I fold it up like a newspaper and slip it in my briefcase, or stick it in my back pocket? Do I add it to an already bothersome airport scenario while stripping for the delight of the Airport Security?
I am an avid reader, using the yellow highlighter and removable markers for quick review and memorable quotes.
I too am waiting to see what else this mis-named feminine hygiene product can do other than sponge up some excess profit from Amazon's mis-named digital reader.
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Don_new_profile_image_thumb TradeKing Staff Member

bigdog posted February 05, 2010 (05:48PM)

Great counterpoints, DiceDawg. You don't seem likely to be sold on the idea (and don't worry: neither AAPL or AMZN has me on the payroll), but I will say the eyeball-fry factor is vastly reduced by Kindle's screen interface. It really does feel like reading real ink on paper. As a legally blind guy myself who clocks a lot of screen time, this is a real lifesaver.

That said, your points about airport security and carefree portability are good ones. I also wonder about the highlighting: can you make annotations on electronic books in either device? Never done it myself, but I can definitely see the value.

Thanks for sharing your POV, from one dog to another. ;-)

Be Good,
Don
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