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iPad kills iPod Touch?

K

Kyprioth657

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 8, 2007
24
0
So the Apple iPad is basically a really big iPod Touch, with the selling points of wireless 3g data and a faster processor and bigger screen. I have a feeling that in order to keep this distinction, the Touch will not continue to become faster or gain 3g data at any point in the future. Do you think this is a valid concern?

I have no use for a giant iPod Touch. Just a better and better normal sized version.

Also, it's really hard to force myself to capitalize the second letter in a word. Damn you Jobs.
 
I am going to say the opposite. The iPod Touch has already killed the iPad. The iPad has an extreme niche market, while the iPod Touch appeals to nearly everyone who can afford one.
I bet Apple will add a feature to the iPod Touch next time around that the iPad won't have, look at the iPhone vs. iPad (lets not include cellular voice). The iPhone has a camera and GPS (in the 3g model only for the iPad).
Also I noticed something very key with the $130 price addition for the 3g model. This puts the cost of the device (16gb 3g) at exactly $30 more expensive than the iPhone to avoid cannibalizing sales.
 
Kyprioth657 said:
I have a feeling that in order to keep this distinction, the Touch will not continue to become faster or gain 3g data at any point in the future. Do you think this is a valid concern?
Click to expand...

No. Speed is not a selling point for this device. And even if that were the case, Apple wouldn't abandon the touch with a sluggish processor for the rest of it's lifespan. It will never gain 3G because that would bring it too close to the iPhone.

The iPad and iPod touch don't appeal to the same markets. Unlike the iPhone and iPod touch, they're distant enough that they won't cannibalize each other.
 
a 5" ipad would kill the ipod touch since I probably could get that into my pocket. But 9" ipad would be kinda hard to fit in there so no.
 
puffnstuff said:
a 5" ipad would kill the ipod touch since I probably could get that into my pocket. But 9" ipad would be kinda hard to fit in there so no.
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head.

This iPad really gets people in the frenzy "I can't wait to get one" until you really realize what you bought.

I personally will prefer an iPhone to carry around; it fits in my pocket- it does everything the iPad can do and it also serves as a phone. Same deal with the iPod touch except the phone part.

Also, if I want to lug an extra device around (beside my iPhone or iPod touch), why would I go with a tablet that only does the SAME THINGS? If I really want the a big screen, I'll bring around my MacBook - which can video-iChat, do complex movie editing, listen to CDs, watch DVDs, rest comfortably in my lap while I type, and many more things.
 
For one, I might consider replacing my iPod Touch with iPad if that thing catches on. I bought my iPod Touch for apps and I hardly use it for music. Also, I don't need 3G connection and I don't need 32GB of space. The $499 wifi only 16GB iPad could be a better use for me. But, I will most likely wait for the 2nd generation.
 
I can imagine how cool I'll look at the gym with one of these bad boys strapped to my chest/back/big manly guns...
 
NT1440 said:
They aren't even competing products....
Click to expand...
Yes, they really, really are. Instead of wasting everyone's time with that "media event" they should have refreshed the iPod Touch and added the iPad as a new, larger model.
Lorenz0 said:
I can imagine how cool I'll look at the gym with one of these bad boys strapped to my chest/back/big manly guns...
Click to expand...
I can't see Nike adding support for this one...
 
FSMBP said:
Also, if I want to lug an extra device around (beside my iPhone or iPod touch), why would I go with a tablet that only does the SAME THINGS? If I really want the a big screen, I'll bring around my MacBook - which can video-iChat, do complex movie editing, listen to CDs, watch DVDs, rest comfortably in my lap while I type, and many more things.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing at first, but I imagine ( hope ) before this thing actually his the streets that the apps written for it will make everyone want one. If the thing had a pretty good drawing app and handwriting recognition app that would set it apart from the touch ( because of screen size ). Maybe the screen can detect how hard it is being pressed ( like the Wacom tablets )?
 
Similar capabilities, totally different markets

The iPad will take some sales away from the iPod, iPhone, and laptops. Overall, it won't really hurt any of these markets.

I'd buy one to fill the need of a netbook or laptop, since I prefer desktops for main usage. I mostly use my iPhone to mobile surf, shop, etc... the iPad would be much better for that use. If I like it enough, I'd even consider getting a lesser phone (I'd love to pay less for data than I currently am).

No way would I purchase a laptop or netbook now, nor a kindle or nook. I think a lot of people are going to see it the same way.
 
If it hurts the sales of anything, I think it'll be the MBA... On a side note, I hope they make the iPod Touch available for 3G service with no contract, that'd rock.
 
I don't think so.

The iPad is a unique device that creative, innovative people are going to find creative and innovative uses for. I could see sales people using it to present product lines - video, Keynote, etc. I can see offices using them to share ideas. (No more - "can you spare a minute to come look at my computer to see what I have been working on?") And as a FileMaker Pro developer, I am almost giddy with the possibilities of mobile database systems- now all I need is a true FMPro Mobile version and to see how durable the iPad is. (G3 coverage just isn't good enough for me to go web based yet.)

Is it going to replace the iPod? Not even close. The MacBook Air? Maybe for a few people. The iPhone? Again, there might be a few folks better served by the larger device. But overall, I see this as a device that is going to create it's own following.
 
NT1440 said:
They aren't even competing products....
Click to expand...

I agree. Overlapping, not competing.

They compete only to the degree a netbook competes with a Touch or a MacBook. You can surf (etc.) on all 3, but they are different experiences and appropriate for different times. The iPad (can I call it an iSlate, please?) was designed to one-up the netbook, which is all most people need in a computer most of the time.

It will be great for sticking into your carry-on luggage for a trip, and will be a much more satisfying view of a movie than a Touch, yet 1/4th the weight of a MacBook and half the weight of an Air (and 1/3 the price if it gets stolen from your hotel room.) The Touch is fine for checking email, but pretty miserable if you have to answer much of it, while the iPad will be a reasonable, if not desirable, typing experience.

In my house, 75% of the computer use is using the internet while watching TV or drifting off to sleep. This will be a great device for that, where the awkward shape, extra weight, heat, and keyboard just aren't very necessary. On the other hand, most of us have to hold a Touch 6-12 inches from our face and perhaps take our glasses off just to read the text, making it impossible to watch TV at the same time.

The size of the Touch is fantastic for portability, but is just barely usable by people with eyes that are more than 40 years old. A notebook computer is fine, but really more than most people need most of the time.
 
Kyprioth657 said:
So the Apple iPad is basically a really big iPod Touch, with the selling points of wireless 3g data and a faster processor and bigger screen. I have a feeling that in order to keep this distinction, the Touch will not continue to become faster or gain 3g data at any point in the future. Do you think this is a valid concern?

I have no use for a giant iPod Touch. Just a better and better normal sized version.

Also, it's really hard to force myself to capitalize the second letter in a word. Damn you Jobs.
Click to expand...

Hardly... the iPad is for for doing more grunt work (see iWork) and easier web browsing. It is not sold as an iPod, you get the iPod feature, but that's extra. If you go to the gym per say, you take an iPod with you, not an iPad.

Also, the iPod does not have 3G as an option, nor it is good for long term reading.
 
I wish this thing existed 4 years ago.

I was setting up a laboratory to manufacture a biotech pharmaceutical. There was a tremendous amount of calculations that needed to be made, as well as data entry into spreadsheets for the FDA. It would have been great to be able to be able to bring a computer into the lab to do some of this grunt work, but we couldn't bring anything as dirty as a keyboard into the room and tablet computers were too expensive for the budget.

The iPad would have been the perfect solution for data entry and spreadsheet calculations in a clean room, since the entire device could be swabbed down before and after every use.
 
hajime said:
Could you please let me know how to use the ipad as a toilet device? I am curious.
Click to expand...

haha, I think what he meant is that it's a great thing to use when you're on the toilet. When I'm on my desktop and I need to go to the bathroom, I usually grab my netbook or my iTouch and browse the web while I'm doing my business.
 
How on earth do you have time for going on the internet whilst on the toilet? Are your bottoms broke?

Why the iPad can't kill the iPod Touch - portability. I'm not going to be carrying an iPad around listening to MP3s. I do hope they bring the 3G data thing to the iPod Touch in the exact same method as the iPad, because that would blow me away.
 
There was no mention of it, but do you reckon the iPad will come with an oleophobic screen coating? Big touch screen = more room for oily smudges..

EDIT: Spoke too soon, it does have the coating.. yippee!
 
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