Convincing Joe Average
The Apple iPad has come along just as many other tablet devices are being launched. I think this is a big reason why people were underwhelmed; it doesn't appear to do enough that similar devices can't do.
But, as Parm pointed out to me this morning, the geeks weren't that impressed with the iPhone when it first came out, and there were some distinct hardware limitations. But it still sold like hot-cakes and Apple has addressed many of those criticisms in subsequent iterations. More importantly, however, the average end-user doesn't seem to care about these limitations - the iPhone just delivers for them.
I remain unconvinced by the concept of a tablet regardless of who makes it - I'm too keen on my keyboard and I can see what unique advantages the tablet offers to compensate me for losing it. But if any company can bring the concept to life it has to be Apple. The UI and general ease of use will be a big part of it, but ultimately it is being positioned as the interface with a domestic media marketplace.
As revolutionary as the iPod and iPhone were, possibly even more significant have been iTunes and the app store. Apple has not only made it easy for people to access media and software from the cloud, it has created an environment that appeals to rights-holders and developers. Apple's USP - a single stable platform - makes it a lot easier for third parties to do business with it.
Such is the strength of the Apple brand that the iPad is bound to sell in decent numbers, no matter what we techies think about it. What will define it as an revolutionary rather than an evolutionary product, however, will be how much it captures the imagination of Joe Average as the replacement for newspapers, magazines, games consoles and TVs. If it manages that then the sky's the limit and I will willingly retract my ‘meh'.
