iPad: What demographic is Apple Targeting?

[bufflyn]

Stylus would be nice

I am all about the new iPad and i can think of a million ways to use this. However, I do agree that this could be an incredible market for Students, especially if MobileMe includes this in the future.

That being said, the idea that something this size doesn't come with a stylus capability neglects a tool that would make it only even more amazing. I personally would love to be able to jot notes on it with a stylus in a meeting!

 

[idunn]

For kids…until they wise up

I was hoping Apple would unveil an eBook, something simpler, better, and possibly less expensive than the Amazon Kindle. This clearly is not that.

What demographic exactly will this suit? Not for someone largely happy with an iPhone for communication. As an eBook it fails on several fronts, both in being too large to be really comfortable, or portable, and also in a screen not expressly designed for reading. It could prove a reasonable, perhaps preferable, substitute for a laptop, only at present it is woefully inadequate in that regard. For one thing, 64GB? Excuse me? Just how much work are you going to get done with that kind of storage? Nor storing very many movies, and it appears that in playback performance it cannot match a laptop.

Is it not possible you'll find your kids either in front of the large HDTV at home, or adopting your MacBook once the novelty of the iPad has worn off, and they really want to do something?

 

[mkruck]

I concur; Apple definitely had older consumers in mind.

Habitus

Agreed.

Generally (and I know the dangers of generalizing), older consumers generally means a little extra cash in the pocket. And, hey, speaking for myself, 46 is the new 26.

However, I do fit right into the uber-nerd demo, also. This is my 20th year in I.T., working primarily with Linux/Unix Enterprise systems.

 

[NT1440]

Casual computing is the aim of this device, and I think its an incredibly smart move.

 

[fuzzielitlpanda]

I think Apple is trying to sell this to the older, non-nerd crowd. You know, the type of people that don't spend every waking hour in front of a computer. I think the iPad could do well in that market. It would be a great thing to have around the kitchen or the living room to do some quick internet browsing, looking through photos, or reading a book. Like Habitus said, it will essentially replace everything on your coffee table.

I could also see it becoming big with students. It's so much easier to take an iPad with you everywhere instead of lugging those big heavy books. It could also be more cost effective to use an iPad, then again I don't know how much e-textbooks sell for.

I'd fit into the target demo on this:

1. 46
2. Enough disposable income to be able to purchase without having to forgo diapers and milk for the kids
3. Current ebook reader (Sony)
4. Just want something to lay on the couch with and be able to read and browse the web. Using a laptop is a PITA when I'm laying down, and I want a larger display than the iPhone offers

Oh, yeah...4 Macs and 4 iPhones in the house already.

I haven't seen the keynote yet, but from what I've read on the internet, this is the target group.

 

[Habitus]

Casual computing is the aim of this device, and I think its an incredibly smart move.

"Casual computing" - well said. I think that phrase encapsulates the target demographic. Seriously, the iPad will replace everything on the coffee table (the iPad's modern design will fit just about any coffee table).

Well played, Apple.

Habitus

 

[chstr]

I'm ignorant when it comes to comparable products.

Apple is gonna bank on people's ignorance.

 

[Habitus]

Apple is gonna bank on people's ignorance.

Works for me; I'll buy one!

Habitus

 

[0dev]

I was hoping Apple would unveil an eBook, something simpler, better, and possibly less expensive than the Amazon Kindle. This clearly is not that.

What demographic exactly will this suit? Not for someone largely happy with an iPhone for communication. As an eBook it fails on several fronts, both in being too large to be really comfortable, or portable, and also in a screen not expressly designed for reading. It could prove a reasonable, perhaps preferable, substitute for a laptop, only at present it is woefully inadequate in that regard. For one thing, 64GB? Excuse me? Just how much work are you going to get done with that kind of storage? Nor storing very many movies, and it appears that in playback performance it cannot match a laptop.

Is it not possible you'll find your kids either in front of the large HDTV at home, or adopting your MacBook once the novelty of the iPad has worn off, and they really want to do something?

64GB is aduquate for what it's designed for. And what ebook reader is portable and small? I've yet to see such a device, and wouldn't buy one either, as it defeats the purpose of ebook readers in the first place.

 

[dave1812dave]

While I'll concede that I'm impressed with the iPad, I don't see the practicality or who Apple wants to sell the iPad to.

Isn't the iPad a bigger iPod touch, but without the portability? I noticed, however, the focus Apple placed on using the iPad while sitting on the couch. With that said, is Apple foreseeing users replacing their morning paper with breakfast with the iPad?

Again, I'm intrigued; especially with the price. However, I don't see the practicality of the iPad as Apple does.

Thoughts?

Habitus

Jobs worshippers, more commonly known as Apple fanbois, will be falling over themselves to be first in line when this device hits the stores. For the rest of the world, it's a major "MEH", like the Apple TV.

 

[tom.96]

I reckon I'll get one. I reckon people like me will get one because:

- Games. I love games on my Nintendo DS and adore its touch screen. I play tons of RPGs - not a genre with a great presence as yet in the app store. If publishers such as Square Enix, Sega, Konami etc start pushing some class RPGs out I'd be very happy.
- Sitting on the sofa. I don't want to have to go in to a different room to use a computer. I want the computer with me - wherever I want it. Looks far better than a laptop for this.
- It looks beautifully designed. I'm just a sucker for things that look good (I'm probably a reincarnated magpie) so I'd buy one just because of that.

Can't wait to get my hands on one

 

[peterhc]

App Opportunity for a Developer?

how the hell are you going to take notes? there's no stylus so are you going to use your finger to write? are you going to use the 7 inch wide virtual keyboard?

when i went to class, i would download lecture slides off the website and edit them. right now there is zero indication that the ipad can even download off a website

There are several sketch apps already available. Perhaps someone can adapt the hardware interface to use a stylus.

 

[Habitus]

Jobs worshippers, more commonly known as Apple fanbois, will be falling over themselves to be first in line when this device hits the stores. For the rest of the world, it's a major "MEH", like the Apple TV.

Agreed; I don't see the practicality of it. But the price has me intrigued

Habitus