Look for the people with the mobile checkout iPhones. Makes a big difference in getting out of the store.
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Apple Confirms iPad Launch Plans, Announces Personal Setup Service and Workshops
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Look for the people with the mobile checkout iPhones. Makes a big difference in getting out of the store.
It's getting difficult to resist the WiFi iPad this Saturday, but I really need to hold out for the 3G. It's so much more capable, and I think GPS is a key feature.
I really want to hold out for the 3G, when can we reserve it?
I really want to hold out for the 3G, when can we reserve it?
At least Steve stopped using the word "magical." I think the word "intimate" is more appropriate to how the device will be used.
As long as the "experience" isn't too "intimate", or else it has to be blocked from iTunes.
*scnr*
Still not explicit whether or not the devices must be connected to a Mac ootb. Either way, nice that they're explicitly providing the set up services for those who want/need them.
I'm confused. If its like an ipod, you'll need to sync apps to it using your computer - can you even set anything up out of box before syncing?
I guess you could set up wifi (which would be the apple stores and so pointless when you get home) and install an app from the app store (if you have an itunes account), but I don't get what you really set up.
do they do this for ipod touch?
I guess you could set up wifi (which would be the apple stores and so pointless when you get home) and install an app from the app store (if you have an itunes account), but I don't get what you really set up.
do they do this for ipod touch?
Is the lineup going to be people who didn't reserve the iPad or are the people with reservations likely going to have to line up?
I'm trying to gauge how early I should get there even though I have a reservation.
And, my guess is the people showing up really early in the morning before the store is even open are going to be the type of people who don't need help setting up their iPad.
I'm trying to gauge how early I should get there even though I have a reservation.
And, my guess is the people showing up really early in the morning before the store is even open are going to be the type of people who don't need help setting up their iPad.
I'm playing Devil's Advocate here:
If this iPad is so magical and easy to use, why would someone need help doing extremely basic setup procedures like email, loading apps, etc?! It's 2010!!! What market segment that is identified to buy an iPad is going to have a hard time setting up an iPad?!
Makes you wonder if Apple is just being super duper friendly and nice...or the iPad isn't so magical after all and Apple is trying to be sure that people don't revolt and return the product 3 hours after trying to download an app.
I hope it's the former.
-Eric
Completely not related, but I was at Lehigh Valley Apple Store opening. Still have my t-shirt ;0)
just thought I'd share
pac
You have to think about what market the iPad is for: a market that has never before thought about buying a personal computer. The mainframe era was small. The minicomputer era was larger. The microcomputer era was much larger. And the tablet era will be even larger.
So while existing computer users laugh at the idea of needing help to set up their iPad, there are people out there who are still scared about using computers, but they see the iPad ad and think, hey, I can point with my fingers! So they are curious and they wonder if they can handle such a device. With this announcement they are being reassured by Apple.
I can guarantee you that Apple is not marketing the iPad towards people who have:
a)never used a computer
b)never used an iPod
If this were marketed as solely an e-book reader, I would agree with you that training would need to be done. But this is, essentially, an oversized iPod/iPhone with e-book functionality. Essentially. If you've ever used an iPod or iPhone, an iPad *should* be extremely familiar and a cakewalk to use. If you've never used an iPod/iPhone BUT HAVE USED A COMPUTER, the iPad should still be very easy to get used to (just like when I got my first iPod 5 years ago and my first iPhone last Fall)
-Eric
They already have marketed the iPad to the general public: during the Oscars.
The iPad is a device that geeks are going to have to puzzle over because they are not the target audience. Sure, they will buy plenty of them as we see in these forums, but we are not the target. The target is five-to-ten times larger than the existing computer marketplace. It's for everyone.
I don't think long lines of people who reserved ipads and are having them set up will be a problem.
My theory is that the people who are excited enough by the ipad to reserve one without ever seeing it in person, will not be the type of people that will need someone to help them set up email and apps. The people who reserved theirs on April 3 are the hardcore Apple people who already most likely own an iphone, mac, ipod or some combination of the three. They will know how to set one up and probably not want to wait around a crowded store to be shown how to set up email, which is extrememly easy anyway. I expect most to be in and out, and itching to get their ipad home to so they can set it up on their own mac and start playing with it right away.
There still might be a couple people there on opening day that would want help setting it up, I'd say its a very small percentage.
My theory is that the people who are excited enough by the ipad to reserve one without ever seeing it in person, will not be the type of people that will need someone to help them set up email and apps. The people who reserved theirs on April 3 are the hardcore Apple people who already most likely own an iphone, mac, ipod or some combination of the three. They will know how to set one up and probably not want to wait around a crowded store to be shown how to set up email, which is extrememly easy anyway. I expect most to be in and out, and itching to get their ipad home to so they can set it up on their own mac and start playing with it right away.
There still might be a couple people there on opening day that would want help setting it up, I'd say its a very small percentage.
Yeah I'm not going to bother. I can easily live without this lemon. And there would need to be some seriously fundamental OS changes before I'd even consider it. As many have said before, it's just not aimed at us.
Roll on the MBP update.
But after the first day, I doubt there will be the long lines expected the first day. Therefore no problem with someone getting some help since it won't be holding a long line up.