Three Videos that Prove the iPad Will Be a Huge Hit
By: Hillel Fuld
I have been saying this for years, the name of the game in consumer electronics is usability. This is actually a true statement about most things, but when it comes to using gadgets or electronic devices of any kind, the point is magnified. I know it is hard for us geeks to grasp this sometimes, but there is actually a whole lot of consumers who use computers and are not geeks. You know, like our parents and their friends? Not a day goes by when I do not get a question from a friend or a relative asking me how to solve some quirky Windows issue they are having. The first company to create a full fledged computing device that is actually intuitive and user friendly will absolutely dominate this space.
Now, here is the thing, the iPad is not yet a full fledged computing device, but as you will see in the following three videos, Apple seems to have mastered the ability to create devices that just work and are easy to operate. I know it is missing multitasking, a few USB ports, and a camera, but the truth of the matter is, for those non-geeks of the world, those “features” pale in comparison to a computer that actually does what it is supposed to do.
Please let us know in the comments what your opinion of the iPad is. Did you buy one or are you waiting for the next version? Or are you one of the three people who is just not interested in the iPad at all?
Hillel Fuld
Hillel is a tech blogger at TechNmarketing.com as well as an active Twitter personality @hilzfuld. He writes for many other sites including Mashable.com, Bitrebels.com, and works as the Content Manager of Dailyforex.com.15 Comments to “Three Videos that Prove the iPad Will Be a Huge Hit”
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“kids can use it so its good”
What a stupid sentiment. Its the Nintendo Wii of computers, appealing to casuals and kids, but anyone who knows about computing can see straight though it.
Still, the wii has sold a shedload, so I’m not for one second doubting it will sell.
@Ben the key isn’t computing power, it’s being empowered by computing.
These kids will never have to learn about using a mouse to control a little cursor on the screen… or find a window that went missing behind other windows.. or wonder why the damn thing is slow because he’s running out of virtual memory.
And if you didn’t already take all those things for granted, you wouldn’t want to either.
I’d rather wait for the 2nd gen iPad, because I think this one is a bit too big and heavy. It’s actually an usability problem that would make me consider the purchase of the smaller iPad that is rumored to be released next year.
I happen to like the Nintendo Wii quite a bit. I haven’t got my hands on an iPad yet, but I know that kids are big fans of the iPhone too. My daughter loves to check mine out, does that make the device less useful for me? Not really.
I think the fact that a device can appeal to kids as well as adults will go a long way towards making that device more successful. At the end of the day, the iPad is not about computing, the appeal is for the mass market consumer, many of whom know very little about computing.
Just my opinion.
[...] Three Videos that Prove the iPad Will Be a Huge Hit [...]
Companies like HP will try to catch or surpass the iPad, and they will fail for 2 reasons:
1. Because they will be running Windows, which is already dead, even though the web hasn’t noticed the smell yet.
2. Because these companies are 5 years behind Apple in implementation of a touch interface and mobile devices. They will try to make a small windows computer that does everything by touch, and they will fail, because iPad is something different: The computer has disappeared, and there is nothing between the user and the functionality.
You should see my neighbor’s 3 year old with a full size computer playing on Photoshop, she even know shortcuts too! I prefer something kind of complicated to get their brain going… touching is so simple, yet not so encouraging, I don’t want my kid to be a consumer, I want him to be a creator.
[...] Three Videos that Prove the iPad Will Be a Huge Hit [...]
ffs – crayons and paper is one hell of a lot cheaper and a little more universally available – show me a kid in Gaza or Tibet or Ghana using one then I’ll feel better about the possibilities. Rich, white kids don’t cut it…
[...] Three Videos that Prove the iPad Will Be a Huge Hit [...]
Those children look like they’re enjoying themselves, but I’m sure they’re wondering whether the iPad will multitask and where are the darn USB ports. I’m sure these youngsters would have had a far better user experience if that “crippled iPad” came with a nice full version of Windows 7. Ooooh. Those tykes are just aching to learn about Windows 7 file management and anti-virus software just to get to Dr. Seuss.
Guess what? No consumer gives a damn about what the geeks want when it comes to computer devices. The geeks are in their own little 2% high-tech world and the consumers just want to have some simple fun and pleasure. The iPad provides this and that’s why it will be very successful. It may be labeled a “toy” by the geeks, but learning is learning and fun is fun. The iPad won’t be the Windows lapdog IT manager’s choice, but consumers will love it.
You have got it in one appboy – it is indeed usability that will conquer / take over the consumer market. That’s why the iPhone and, consequently, the craze with apps, (whichever comes first of this particular chicken / egg conundrum) is so far ahead of the competition. Easy use, whatever your technofriendly score / level is, plus fabulous aesthetics.
[...] the three very inspiring videos see here. var addthis_pub = 'demianturner'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'email, [...]
[...] http://bit.ly/bHg32O [2010-04-19 13:21:11] kerberos3 ???ipad????? http://blog.appboy.com/2010/04/three-videos-that-prove-the-ipad-will-be-a-huge-hit/ [2010-04-19 13:20:59] masyura [...]
Oddly enough these videos remind me that more work must still be done in usability if they need so much assistance.
But I think your point is valid. This is worlds simpler and brings computers back to a task-centered place.