Those that are dubious of the iPad’s impending success (and I suspect that you are one of them, Baruch) are of course in danger or repeating history (qv iPod, iPhone). I have no intention of replicating all the arguments pro and con the iPad, so I will limit myself to just one wholly original observation as to why I think the doubters once again are not getting it:
1. The iPhone was a success from the start, but it really became a ubiquitous device when it proved competent at a whole range of tasks beyond Apple’s original marketing copy. (It was just “a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough internet communications device”, remember?) Now games rule on the iPhone, and as many parents will attest, the iPhone’s one true calling is as breakthrough child pacification device.
A similar role awaits the iPad. No, not for children; rather, look to the burgeoning end of the demographic curve: baby boomers.
I know many baby boomers who are intimidated by computers. Plenty are not, but a great many spend far too much time wrestling with viruses and drivers, wondering what a DLL is, and generally not knowing the difference between their RAM and a hard disk – all just so they can read emails and check their bank account online. Some boomers have sired offspring who gladly help them with remote tech support sessions, but many others have not, and suffer for it. The reason for all this misery is simple: Computers are still too complex for those not prepared to give them their undivided attention. That’s even the case for Macs.
Not so with the iPhone. I’ve seen that thing understood within minutes by two-year-olds and 84-year-olds. It does one thing at a time. Your finger is the cursor. There is no need to tap things twice before stuff happens. You are allowed to turn it off with the power button.
But the iPhone isn’t perfect for baby boomers. The screen and text are too small for aging eyes, the keyboard too cramped for confident typing, making it unusable for even basic office productivity tasks.
Enter the larger, faster iPad. It’s a complex computer simplified, which makes it a perfect fit to those whose remaining life is too short to spend it defragging drives. Add the keyboard dock, and the iPad is versatile enough to be a baby boomer’s only computer. The only thing it won’t let them do is video conference with their grandchildren – which is an omission I hope they fix in next year’s version – but on the other hand, at $US500 this much is forgiven.
My prediction: Within two years you will be reading articles describing how it was obvious – with hindsight – that the iPad would be a hit with aging baby boomers. But who needs hindsight when you have Ultimi Barbarorum?
Post syndicated with permission from Ultimi Barbarorum
Joey-Jo-Jo
January 29, 2010 at 9:56 AM
And… he’s probably right… All you have to do is look at Jobs in the above photo. Baby Booming away on his iPad.
Report PermalinkPeter McHardy
January 29, 2010 at 10:04 AM
You might just be … spot on! Nice lateral thinking.
Report PermalinkHeath
January 29, 2010 at 10:18 AM
You’re on the money, I was thinking just that after the announcement yesterday. It’s like the DSi XL, which is meant for people with poor vision and the elderly. Since the iPad is an Extra Large iPod Touch it it stands to reason that it’s meant for the old. I don’t have the best vision but a large screen by it’s self doesn’t appeal to me at all.
Report PermalinkGrant Burton
January 29, 2010 at 10:22 AM
this is excatly what I said yesterday when people were knocking it.. its the perfect primary school and older age computer. see this link http://forums.mactalk.com.au/57/80236-apple-ipad-announced-5.html
Report PermalinkPat
January 29, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Hm, Im not so sure that old people are going to want to go out and spend so much money on such a device.
Report PermalinkPlus, will they be able to figure out that you need to sync it with your computer to actually use it?
I dont think old people have the need or want for this, or that they will be so quick to figure out how to use it.
iMikeyMike
January 29, 2010 at 12:01 PM
@Pat – 99% of the time, I’m using my iPod Touch without docking (I only do so to update podcasts & music – and that can be done via wi-fi as well) … I think the ‘top-end-of-the-demographic’ (a slightly less insulting way of saying ‘old people’) will figure it out fast and just fine …
Report PermalinkNathan Young
January 29, 2010 at 12:39 PM
He’s right, but it won’t just be a success with old people. I mean, I bought an iPhone even when I knew it’s limitations (granted I DID know that copy-paste wasn’t far away). People will buy it because it’s Apple. Not enough similar devices get enough publicity. No one I know has heard of the Crunchpad or the Slate or the Courier.
Report PermalinkTristan
January 29, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Agree 100% with this article!
This is the PERFECT computer for millions of people out there, who JUST want a computer to browse the internet and send some emails.
By Dad only wants to browse ebay and send the occasional email, my grandparents recently forked out a fair bit of case to get a ADSL connection and a new computer JUST so they could do basic emailing and web browsing! – The iPad WITH its 3G connection would have been the ideal solution for them and at a fraction of the cost of what they ended up paying!
Report PermalinkMatt
January 29, 2010 at 3:55 PM
One thing missing…
It can’t be someones only computer because it will rely on iTunes installed on a separate device.
Report PermalinkStevoTheDevo
February 1, 2010 at 8:54 AM
That’s where the tech savvy offspring come into play though..
Report PermalinkThey bring their laptop with them when they visit Mum/Dad or Grandma/Grandpa.. Sync up the iPad with new stuff and they’re good to go for another few weeks.
Paul Preston
January 29, 2010 at 4:33 PM
apple succeeded because of the massive advertising it receives both paid for and free . apple cpmputers are the most inserted into movies tv programs and etc. also everyone talks about them, its hard to resist, depends tho, if the negative buzz gathers it will doom the ipad just as the negative buzz killed vista
Report Permalinkquincy
January 29, 2010 at 9:21 PM
@ Paul Preston
Vista killed Vista, nothing more, nothing less.
Regarding the article though.
I actually have to agree. Only today I was laughing at this stupid thing.
I’ve been a serious computer enthusiast for almost 20 years – building my own PC/Linux boxes from individually packaged components and wiring them into complex setups at home including networked render-farms. All for the sake of letting me create cool 3d animations etc – and surf the web/email.
Yet in spite of all of this experience and enjoyment over the years, these days all I want from a computer 98 percent of the time is something simple, robust and painless. Transparent is the best word for it.
Truth is I ditched the laptop around the house the day the iPhone was released – and im the antithesis of a mac fanboy. The iPhone was just what I was always looking for, something transparent.
Ive not yet played with an iTampon/iMed/iPad, though you’re right – they are perfect for someone wanting to do basic computer functions without the hassle of a computer (though it really needs a KB, camera, Flash support and a USB port to allow for connectivity to devices such as printers, cameras etc).
Dammit, I can almost see myself wanting one for simplicity (the iPhone screen is just a tad too small).
Go Jobs, you knob.
Report Permalinkworking dog
January 29, 2010 at 4:42 PM
nice theory and there is probably more than a grain of truth in it…
Report Permalinkbut its also based a huge generalisation…
its not just boomers who want a simple, easy to use, quality product… its MOST of the non-geek population…
not everyone feels the need to fiddle with their widgets all day
Nick Ayre
February 1, 2010 at 1:34 AM
This is what I don’t understand about you people. Why does something simple have to be for “stupid” people or young/old people? Whats wrong with everything being simple?
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