It iPod scenario is much closer than that of the iPhone. There is simply no competitor to the iPad especially with the new screen and 4G. Technology is only part of the equation. Ease of use, predictability, application options, compatibility, and yes battery life are essential elements of the iPads success.
Flew today from Atlanta to Minneapolis and there were only two Kindles in ten rows, twenty-iPads and any other device being used were smartphones, a few, and PC’s or Macs.
I have been tracking use since Christmas both as an indicator of direction and interest. I talk with older passengers who have never liked technology and almost all love the iPad.
Windows 8 has great potential but it may be too late once it arrives. Too many corporate buyers have settled on the iPad and the companies have developed custom apps.
Technology centric people will like Android devices but those who want to get work done will buy iPads.
Those that want to get work done will be doing it on a PC or Laptop while other people flaunt their toys that they think make them look like technophiles.
It is do or die for Microsoft. If they are willing to take it on the chin for the next 5 years, and not give up, I think they’ll be fine.
But, if they do fail, they will slowly be forced out of the consumer market.
“Technology centric people will like Android devices but those who want to get work done will buy iPads.”
Actually, if I know I’m going to need to get work done, I take my Transformer Prime. If I’m just going to read, I use my iPad 2.
I was very disappointed with the iPad 3. I had high hopes of Apple releasing something like the Prime. It would have crushed the market.