Revolutionary? Magical? Are we talking about the iPad? The dirty screened, awkward-to-carry, odd-sized, camera-less, phone-less, text-less tablet. Try editing an EXCEL spreadsheet on an iPad. You need more than magic. You need an act of god.
Sorry Steve. Yes, a step forward. Yes, a brilliant marketing move. (Apple has defined a new market, and is forcing its hapless competitors into a catch-up game.) But this is not revolution. In fact, by some measures, the iPad is regressive. You left behind convergence (no telephone, text, or videochat capabilities), and you shied up way from the true target of the revolution, the TV.
Steve, unfortunately, Tim Beyers got it right in his open letter to you:
It’s time to end the charade. Apple TV was never a hobby, and it isn’t one now. You need to stop talking as if it is, because you’re out of time. Smart TV is here. Apple will either lead this market or be left behind. (By Tim Beyers June 22, 2010)
Well, you retort…what about the millions sold! What about the wisdom of crowds.? Could so many be wrong? Of course not, Apple is hot now. But mass hysterical acceptance of a new product is a poor predictor of future durability of a trend. Remember the Hula Hoop:
So back to the iPad. It is a transitional device, destined for your junk drawer. (Make room iPod shuffle.) Either Apple moves decisively to conquer the living room, the large format screen, broadcast TV, or we will look back with our fascination with all things Apple in the same way that we now look back at the Hula Hoop.
