Is it possible that Apple fears the buzz about the iPad is not as big as they'd like, so they made the choice for a Saturday launch in hopes of ensuring the biggest possible crowds in stores, thus hoping that news outlets don't show up to cover it and see less than stellar crowds for the premiere of a product Apple is touting as "revolutionary" and "magical".
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Does anyone else find this Saturday release date odd? I've got a theory for it.....
- Thread starter BruiserBear
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Im not sure it's fear, but it is a smart marketing move to get more people into the store on launch day.
Given the recent polling, it seems the desire for the device appears to be greater then when the first iPhone was announced. I don't think apple is worried about lack of sales.
Perhaps its the opposite, they'll better manage the traffic flow in the stores on a weekend, when they'll have more apple employees available in the store
Perhaps its the opposite, they'll better manage the traffic flow in the stores on a weekend, when they'll have more apple employees available in the store
I think you are way over thinking it.
1) The same people coming out Sat AM would come out Friday eve (Apple's usually launch day/time) too.
2) If their was real "fear" why would Apple take pre-orders? Certainly if they wanted to ensure big lines they'd force buyers to come to the store like the original iPhone and the 3G.
3) The iPad is going to have to stand up on its own. A few lines on Sat. is not going to stop the iPad's detractors. Monday morning after launch there will be a handful of analysts projecting how many units Apple sold over the weekend and the h8trs are bounds to take whatever number is given and diminish it.
Here is why I think the launch is on Sat, and it's really quite simple -- it gives Apple one extra weekday to produce units and Express them to the US for launch.
1) The same people coming out Sat AM would come out Friday eve (Apple's usually launch day/time) too.
2) If their was real "fear" why would Apple take pre-orders? Certainly if they wanted to ensure big lines they'd force buyers to come to the store like the original iPhone and the 3G.
3) The iPad is going to have to stand up on its own. A few lines on Sat. is not going to stop the iPad's detractors. Monday morning after launch there will be a handful of analysts projecting how many units Apple sold over the weekend and the h8trs are bounds to take whatever number is given and diminish it.
Here is why I think the launch is on Sat, and it's really quite simple -- it gives Apple one extra weekday to produce units and Express them to the US for launch.
Just devil's advocating here (while watching the clock), but I took the OP's point to mean the normal Saturday mall crowds would make the lines look bigger than they really were. Coming from the true suburbs, I can say that would definitely work at my Apple store. Part of why I'm really, really, hoping we get Saturday delivery is that I'd rather do almost anything than go to the local mall here on a Saturday.
Because lines are going either to loop around the mall or not. Fri evening or Sat AM has little bearing on people's buying behavior. Of course doing it on Sat might get more non-buyers attentions b/c more people will be in the mall for non-Apple shopping, but I think OP was suggesting that Apple is doing a Sat launch to mask poor iPad sales, which is nonsense.
I honestly think people on MR think about these conspiracy theories more than Apple does. Yes, their marketing people plan things, but I don't really think they are manipulating lines in malls for the local press to cover.
The buzz about the iPad has been huge. They will sell a ton of these devices despite the few negative posters here on MR. I know it will disappoint those who want Flash, multitasking and a camera, but the reality is, people will buy it without those things. They may or may not come in the next edition, and while some will wait and see... others, a LOT of others, will buy now.
The buzz about the iPad has been huge. They will sell a ton of these devices despite the few negative posters here on MR. I know it will disappoint those who want Flash, multitasking and a camera, but the reality is, people will buy it without those things. They may or may not come in the next edition, and while some will wait and see... others, a LOT of others, will buy now.
I just find it odd that they're launching it the day before Easter. It's usually a very busy travel day. Luckily we're not traveling this year so I get to wait at home for mine to arrive.