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Any of This Sound Familiar?

February 9th, 2010

After months, even years of speculation and rumors, Apple introduces a brand-new product intended to revolutionize a neglected product category. Upon the release, naysayers all buzz that it doesn’t have enough features, is way overpriced for what it does, and competitors will soon outstrip it with cheaper models. And since the announcement, surveys claim that fewer people say that they are more likely to buy one.

So, which does that describe–the iPhone or iPad? As you probably guessed, it describes both. After the iPhone was announced, only 15% of those surveyed said they were “very likely” or “extremely likely” to buy one, while 26% had answered that way just before the announcement.

With the iPad, the number who said they plan to buy one stands at 9%, up from 3% before the announcement–but many who were previously interested decided they were not so much interested after seeing it, similar to the iPhone.

Still, that 9% figure is a key one. 9% is a pretty big chunk of people. Just like the iPhone in Japan, where a similar 9% was projected before the launch here; many dismissed the number as anemic, but that’s a lot of people. And for a tablet computer, 9% is higher than any interest shown for any other model.

But let’s also remember that in all of these cases with the iPhone, actual purchases after release far outstripped what the surveys expressed. Even in Japan, where the iPhone occupied #2 and #3 of the top-selling smartphones for December, before occupying the #1 and #2 slots last week. In the U.S., the iPhone continues to gain market share, having blown past the survey predictions about who is likely to buy one. The iPhone is now ubiquitous.

And then there’s the App Store, which took the iPhone’s success and made it stronger. The App Store will do more for the iPad’s popularity than it did for the iPhone’s, as the apps delivered will be one of the biggest reason for getting the tablet, in addition to the draw of holding and using it, something people also can’t experience yet.

Just a reminder for those predicting a flop. The iPad may well not take off like a rocket–in fact, I expect more of a slow but steady rise–but it is way too soon to count it out yet.

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  1. Troy
    February 9th, 2010 at 21:50 | #1

    At a $1000 the value proposition would be iffy for most people.

    But this is certainly a $300 media player, for people who want that.

    And a $200 mobile game player.

    So people with just those two needs can justify the purchase.

    Then there’s the utility of the app store — worth another $200 or so, with dictionaries, music, educational software, and a million other apps.

    Netbook replacement, for keyboard-lite stuff like checking email. Maybe $200.

    Ebook reader? $200, if you’re into that.

    Webpad with WWAN for $30/mo? Worth $200, easily.

    While the value proposition isn’t quite a no-brainer as a laptop, it’s there.

  2. February 10th, 2010 at 18:38 | #2

    Iphones sold out on the first day of its launch where I stay. No stocks over the week till more arrive before going out of stock again. Apple products are nicely recieved where I stay

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