Finally, folks.
Finally.
Our modern day digital media Moses has launched the most awaited product of the last 12 months – Apple’s digital tablet, the iPad.
Not since Moses’ tablet containing the Ten Commandments has any other tablet commanded so much attention of the chattering classes.
iPad Unveiled
Apple’s ailing head honcho Steve Jobs today launched the tablet at a media event in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.
Here are the key factoids:
* iPad pricing ranges from $499-$829, depending on the storage and whether you want it with 3G (base version comes with just WiFi capability)
* Can be used for web browsing, watching online videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books, sending e-mail et al
* Multi-Touch 9.7-inch LED-backlit display, 0.5-inch thick and weighs 1.5lb
* Battery life of 10 hrs (won’t last for the long flight to Chennai or Mumbai but good enough for trips to Europe or trips within the U.S.)
* Almost full-size soft keyboard
* Most of the 140,000 apps from Apple’s AppStore supposedly run on iPad
* Easy connectivity to Apple’s iTunes music and video store containing 11-million songs, 50,000-TV episodes and 8,000-movies
* WiFi version ships in March; 3G version in April
Total Ripoff
If you want your iPad with 3G service (from AT&T), it will set you back an additional $30 a month for unlimited downloads and $15 for a piffling 250MB.
And that is a mighty big ripoff, if you ask us.
Major Application
A lot of Apple observers believe that the major impetus for the iPad will come from people who are looking to read books or newspapers online in a convenient format.
Apple also talked up a new iBook app for the iPad, which will let consumers buy ebooks from the company’s new iBookstore.
Apple has already stuck deals with five major publishers (Hachette, Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan) and don’t be surprised if there are more in the pipeline.
Is the writing on the wall for Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader? Watch this space.
Big Question
Will we buy it?
Unless the reviews are bad, most likely we will.
But we’re not going to plump for the 3G version. The 32GB ($599) WiFi version is good enough for us.
Having used Apple’s iPhone for nearly two years, we must acknowledge that Apple makes decent, user-friendly products compared to the junk from a lot of consumer electronic vendors.
Sluggish Market Response Likely
We are deeply skeptical that the initial consumer response for the iPad will be anything like for the wildly popular iPhone or the iPod.
A lot of people (at least in the U.S.) already have either the iPhone, the iPod or one of the other digital music players.
The iPad tablet is certainly a discretionary purchase, not a must have (in our view, most things in life are discretionary buys).
With few people reading books these days, it’s hard for us to envision these iPad devices selling in the millions like the iPhone or the iPods.
Plus, the recession is definitely going to crimp the purchasing mood of a lot of people here.
Unless….
Well, if service providers like AT&T or content providers like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal or some of the digital book publishers were to subsidize the tablet in return for a long-term commitment to buy their content then iPad sales could take off faster.
Will that happen?
Hard to say with certainty. Let’s see how the business model for the iPad evolves.
No Midas Touch
Folks, keep in mind that notwithstanding what you might hear Steve Jobs does not have the Midas touch.
Not all of his products have become must-own products and bestsellers in the marketplace.
Remember Apple TV, the set-top device that lets you watch downloaded movies, TV shows, podcasts and digital photos from your computer on your TV or listen to music through your home theater system.
At the time of its launch in early January 2007, Steve Jobs said:
Apple TV is like a DVD player for the 21st century – you connect it to your entertainment system just like a DVD player, but it plays digital content you get from the Internet rather than DVDs you get from a physical store.
But Apple TV never caught on with consumers and turned out to be a dud compared to the company’s other widgetry.
So will the iPad follow the iPhone/iPod track to mega-success or turn into another Apple TV dud?
Well, if we knew the definitive answer to that question why would we be squandering our time writing for schmucks like y’all. 😉
Will Steve ‘Moses’ Jobs’ iPad Tablet Fly? Hmmm added by SearchIndia.com on
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i feel its another nexus one. it is definitely not revolutionary. am surprised that more of apple’s marketing is towards the iPad’s ability to read e-books. i doubt serious book readers using something flashy n distracting like iPad to read (with only 10 hrs of battery life). i guess kindle can go on without charge for a week.
it is just a luxury. not a necessity.
P.S: am more eager for Google Chrome netbook which they are planning to sell for $300 or cheaper.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Let’s wait and see how it works. The die-hard Apple acolytes will, of course, buy it but will it appeal to the mainstream like the iPod or the iPhone is the $64,000 question. Depends on the business model/bundling deals.
2. You write: it is just a luxury. not a necessity.
For many people, most things in life are luxuries. As for the rest, for whom most things in life are a necessity, they don’t count. 🙁
is there an option where we can subscribe to this site by email?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
There must be some plugin or something in the settings. We’ll look into your e-mail point over the weekend.
This is a dead duck. Nothing but a big iPhone. Very disappointed.
Have you come across the jokes already circulating about the name. Here are some blond jokes:
* “Will my iPad get flung out during my cheer leading routines?”
* “Will my boyfriend be embarrassed to buy me a iPad?”
The name is silly. So many people preferred iTablet.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. As we hinted in our headline, we are a little skeptical that this thing will fly like the iPod or the iPhone.
Unless there are some attractive bundling deals. Then it could be a different ballgame. Plus the steep $30 AT&T monthly tax will make it a tough sell for those who want 3G connectivity on the go.
2. You write: Have you come across the jokes already circulating about the name. Here are some blond jokes:
Yeah, saw the jokes yesterday. 😉
3. One thing in Apple’s favor though is that they make decent products that work reasonably well. After two years of the iPhone and its easy connectivity to iTunes, it’ll be hard to go back to any other phone.
Where else can you can buy Zindagi Ek Safar, Hum Tum Ek Kamre or Kadhal Vaiboghame so easily.
iPad? what are the different models? Maxi, ultra thin.. what else
what is next? iPon?!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hey, you’re mocking the most anticipated digital media product of the last 12+ months!
iFlow
SearchIndia.com Responds:
??
Hello, SearchIndia.
Read an interesting article. http://bit.ly/bHRL4c
I hope you disagree with the article. If you disagree, I become happy because you are one of those beings who could give very strong reply to Mr.Ashely. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Given the sensitive nature of the subject, we’d like to read the article twice or thrice before responding.
No, we’re not shying away from your comment. We’ll definitely respond to your link. Most likely tomorrow.
As for incest, one of the other taboo words mentioned in the article you cite, we are of the view it’s fine between consenting adults.
But medical problems are known to crop up in the offspring of such consanguineous relationships.
Anyway, we’ll update this comment/Response later.
Update:
We’ve read the piece.
While the author raises some relevant questions like the issue of child marriages in India and the arbitrary/different definitions of adult, he does not address the high likelihood of exploitation and abuse of children if there are any changes in the status quo either in laws or in acceptable behavior, particularly in countries like India where weak enforcement of laws is the norm.
There’s enough exploitation of children the world over as it is without adding to their misery through semantic word-games like consent vs abuse. For the poor and the weak and defenseless (and children fall in all three categories), it’ll ultimately turn out to be a hobson’s choice to their detriment.
Bottom line, we’re not swayed by his arguments.
BTW, have you read the comments below his piece and the author’s aggressive responses?
Well, when I started using the iPhone since its launch, June 29, 2007, I used it as a satellite to my macbook pro or Air. I remember I was visiting remote area of India and used the iphone with Airtel SIM card and where Wi-Fi is scarce to find, my iPhone worked on the EDGE data and I even filed my business Sales Tax return on it! But all these times, I felt the need of something bigger, handheld so I don’t have to pinch in or out to make text bigger or fields to fill-in visible or to see the entire page I have to move it left or right etc. iPad could be an answer to that and since they developed iWorks to work on it, I may be able to view and edit Office prog. like Word, Excel and view Power point. And I heard they are making it to do more for businesses. They have mastered the multitouch and it works like charm. No one has come close to it. Not even Motorola Droid or HTC.I may wait till iPad2 though. Lets see if my crave gives in sooner…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s hard to go back to another phone after iPhone.
If only AT&T introduces teethering…
Please read ‘crave’ above…while mentioning Motorola their Krave came to mind.
Hitler review the ipad !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcU3a-rO7KY
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Funny.
By March end, we’ll know how good or bad it really is.