Myself and a few of our members/contributors were talking about the success probability of the iPad. We think that it will be big. For 5 key reason (with a few bonus reasons)
The Apple Tablet iPad will succeed mainly for the following 5 reasons:
1. As a result of the Apple stores, almost any product Apple launches at this point has got to be a huge screw-up in order to fail.
2. Any product that ties in to iTunes is almost doomed to success, for reasons almost similar to (1) above.
3. The choice of WiFi-only and AT&T-embedded was very clever. Now you can get it to work with Sprint/Clearwire and Verizon as well.
4. The AT&T plans are innovative and a step forward. Unlimited for $30 is a very surprising move.
5. Killer technical feature setting it apart from a laptop? Instant-on. Beats my laptop’s 2-minute boot time.
Bonus1 : The Cynical Angle: The product may not be right for me or you who need a proper laptop, but sadly there are many people these days who live in the Hollywood/tv/music/entertainment worlds, and never accomplish anything productive . And the legions of these people are mushrooming by the day. And these people will be very happy with an iPad.
Bonus 2: The Optimistic Angle: Overall the success of the iTouch proved the market as point out in the Top 5 Reasons The Apple iPad Will Succed Big. As the product becomes better over mulitpe versions it will become a must have for everyone who uses the web. For example this year was the first year that I can carry a iPhone around town and at CES all without ever using a laptop. It was a revelation I did all my business with my iphone while at CES – a first for me.
Bonus 3: Technology and Data Plan Innovation: the custom smartphone mobile chipset and how Apple is looking at the data plan service – building in service as a cost of goods is a great model. The no contract model will be a standard. As an aside I was advising all the netbook execs at CES that they need to be thinking about the two year contract as a component of the device and treat it as a COGS cost of goods sold.
My Angle: iPad will be a winner. Wildcard: Apple might have to change the name under massive revolt to the name -it has female issues.
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