Kinect Beats iPad (which Beat DVD Player) as Fastest Selling Gadget
By: Hillel Fuld
We all read last month how the iPad was crowned the fastest selling consumer device in history. What most of us did not read, was that the previous winner of that category, was the DVD Player. That puts things in perspective about how huge the iPad really is. Today, Microsoft Kinect, the Xbox add on that enables you to control games with your hands alone, has officially surpasses the iPad in the speed by which it is selling.
Here are some of the numbers. The iPad sold a whopping 2 million devices in 60 days and 3 million in 80. Apple was making $50k a day from iPad sales in the first two months. Take into account that iPads are $500-$830, which is not a low price and yet, the iPad still managed to hit those numbers. Not bad, huh?
Now sit down and read the numbers for the Kinect sales. Microsoft has sold an insane 2.5 million Kinects in just 25 days (reminder, Apple sold 2 million in 60 days) and is now making $100k a day on Kinect sales. So we have $100k a day for Kinect vs $50k a day for iPads, wow. Wait, there is one thing you need to add to that comparison. The Kinect is selling for significantly less than the iPad with prices ranging from $150-$399, which makes the $100k a day number much more impressive.
Of course, I am no market analyst and there are other considerations that go into such comparisons like the fact that Microsoft had Black Friday and holiday shopping on its side, which caused a nice boost in sales. Although, I have to say, that is the kind of planning needed for a successful product launch, so nice work, Microsoft (in contrast with the Windows Phone 7 launch, which some said was a failure due to factors such as day of launch, and lack of sufficient developers working on the platform).
Not only was the launch an unprecedented success, but initial reviews, at least the ones I have read, all seem to be pretty positive. What that means is that we can expect to see the current numbers multiply themselves over the coming months. The Kinect, as a product is pretty revolutionary (yes, I just used that word, but in this case, it is justified) and Minority Report-like.
Experts seem to think that although the Kinect is now a gaming platform, its hands-free gesture detection technology can be integrated into many other industries as well. Take a look at an example in the video below of what surfing the Web would be like with the Kinect technology.
As always, I would love to hear your take on this issue. Is the Kinect going to continue to explode in popularity? More importantly, is Microsoft finally showing some signs of revival and real competition for Apple on the “cool” factor? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter. You know where to find me.
