Yet another debate out in the market!

 

 

 

Click below for the launch speech from Steve Jobs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2010/jan/27/apple-ipad-launch

Of course, typical of his launches, this one too, was intense & driven brilliantly. Add to it the aura that Apple builds for these type of Launches, people were already expecting to see something out of the world, and they get what they are asking for. (check out the look in the faces of the audience).

However, in this case, did they get the product that they were hoping for?

Content, in my opinion is key. Having a sexy product, but without the right content/ features, does not make the product automatically successful. It could get people fired up, and get them to go and buy it- but the proof of the success comes from the sustained growth it can generate.

Unlike the iPods & the iPhones, which touched a chord, and offered something, that was VERY different from what the market was seeing, the iPad is offering something similar to what people already get today. Agreed, the marketing may not be as snazzy as the Apple Launch (but then, whose is?)- But the features a customer gets are far superior to what the current version of the iPad offers.

Changing the game, the paradigm, is difficult, and Apple, to their credit, has proven its critics wrong many times over. So, one respects the company for doing things totally OUT of the box, and making a success of it. However, some products need more than just a “look” differentiation.

iPad, in my opinion, is not it.

Why?

Because the stuff it lets people do, people already have devices that they can already do with- in many cases cheaper- and without having to worry about buying extra gear separately.

If reading eBooks is the criteria, I think a Kindle does it very well – and provides much better value for money for that. If browning the net etc, then the Netbook (however Jobs maligns it) still offers the bang for the buck and value that the customer can appreciate.

Maybe it is ver. 2.0 or later of the iPad that will take into account the customer requirements- would be the game-changer that Steve Jobs is looking for. Till then, my expectation – this will sell well, it will taper off- and Apple will launch the second version of this product- which will do slightly better.

Here is a quick take on the comparison between a Apple iPad and a Netbook.

Configuration	Apple iPad	Netbook	Toss up
Disk	16GB SSD	2.5” HDD – Upto 320GB	Most users have pictures, video and other stuff, that unfortunately occupies ‘space’. A bigger disk space definitely works.
Processor	Apple 1GHz A4 (not tried)	Intel Atom 1.6GHz	Intel Atom is tested and has proven itself. Apple will have to do this. No position as yet- though will side with the Intel Atom.
OS	iPhone OS 3.2	Either XP Home or Win 7	No question – Win 7 or a xP home vs. a Phone platform! Not withstanding, the pedigree, I prefer the staid platform that I can use for multitasking and the works.
Screen	9.7” display	10.1”+	Options available with the netbooks.
Ports	No USB. Dock connector	USB!	No buying options that cause more spend of money!
Navigation	Multitouch	Trackpad	Touch works! Apple wins here.

To me, the way things look; Netbooks is still the way to go.

But Apple being what they are – expect a major improvement in the works that will throw the current concepts out of the door. Intel & the other Hardware vendors have a short window- and should maximize the time to create as much as gap as possible.

And while at it – also start differentiating- not all Netbooks need be equal! Take a page out of Sony’s strategy – and create positioning that is unique – and not based only on price!