April 7, 2010, - 4:19 pm
When I asked you about the Apple IPad, last week, many of you said the same things as Jimmy Kimmel (though maybe not as funny). He gets it right on the psychology of the IPad and captures it in a nutshell, here. You only need watch until 1:08, as after that it’s kinda stupid.
Penis envy? Big pad, small wee wee?
Christopher Nelson on April 7, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I think you’re understating the true significance of this product. Some see it as the realization of the DynaBook, described by computer visionaries of the 1960s, and portrayed in futurist shows like Star Trek. Microsoft and their partners tried to market “tablets” for much of the last decade, but never got any traction from their offerings because, well, they were lousy products.
Apple has a track record of getting things right. The iPad is closer to the iPod touch than it is the iPhone, given the absence of monthly charges. I took my “touch” to Israel late in ’08 (leaving my laptop behind) and it wowed all who saw it. Music and videos at the ready, and all I needed was an open wi-fi to access the web and my email. So the enthusiasm over the iPad doesn’t surprise me.
But the iPad is a serious game changer. Competitors know another “me too” product won’t cut it. Sony and Nintendo wonder how their game businesses will fare. And media and publishing firms are trying to rejigger their business models to take advantage of it. And don’t think this won’t affect data plans offered by the phone companies.
So this is a perfect demonstration of how the free market works – and one presumes most here support that market. There IS a rational case to be made for it. But if it doesn’t impress you or if you see no need, don’t make the consumer interest something it’s not. People can admire excellence without being labeled a cultist.
Raymond in DC on April 7, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Can’t keep a good hipster down. Darn them and their irony.
CO on July 21, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Now I know where all those PEEPS go!!! LOL
Atlee Yarrow on April 7, 2010 at 5:19 pm