iPad Poised to Grab Significant Portion of e-Reader Market

[macshill3]

I'm a Day 1 guy myself as I've said many times, and intend to retire my MBP and use my iPad as my primary computer.

I'm sorry, but I cannot get past that statement. If you think the iPad will replace a MacBook Pro, then you should familiarize yourself w/ the specs. 🙂

 

[Garion]

Awesome, I like being blinded by a LED back-lit screen when reading late at night.

What kind of screen are you reading these forum posts on late at night? Hardly on your Kindle? 😎

 

[Xtremehkr]

Let me fix this for you 😉 :



To [ab]use Jobs' BMW/Mercedes cliché - would you rather have 90%
of a niche market, or 5% (or 20%, or 40%) of an enormous market?

The "walled garden" model of the Iphone would keep the Ipad in a
niche, IMO. An open model (content portable to any slate made by
anyone) will change the world™.

Steve - would you rather sell shiny gadgets, or change the world?

That doesn't make any sense. Apple would want widespread adoption of the iPad, especially if it encouraged adoption of Apple computers.

The range of additional uses for the iPhone continues to expand. Why would the iPad be limited to just books, music, movies, TV, browsing, or other minor things.

Remember that Google is predicting the demise of the desk top here before too long. Cloud computing is supposed to be the way of the future. That means people will be using iPad type devices to interface with the cloud.

Apple has been building a rather large cloud center.

 

[AidenShaw]

That doesn't make any sense. Apple would want widespread adoption of the iPad, especially if it encouraged adoption of Apple computers.

My point is that if Apple tries to wall off the Ipad (via a
closed Itunes-only Ipad-only content model), they may sell fewer
Ipads than if it is open (buy content from anyone, anywhere).
Sure, other manufacturers will sell slates, but the market is
much larger, which increases the content available, which will
increase the market....

10% of 10 million slates a month is more profitable than 80% of
200,000 slates a month. Or 50% of 10M/month is more profitable
than 90% of 1M/month.

The market for slates and their content will grow faster if there
is choice and competition. Content should be portable and
multi-platform.

 

[Garion]

My point is that if Apple tries to wall off the Ipad (via a
closed Itunes-only Ipad-only content model), they may sell fewer
Ipads than if it is open (buy content from anyone, anywhere).

With +140.000 apps already in the App Store, and a flood of iPad native apps on the way, how many ordinary consumers do you think are going to feel "walled off" in their choice of apps? Really ...

 

[Darkroom]

I'm sorry, but I cannot get past that statement. If you think the iPad will replace a MacBook Pro, then you should familiarize yourself w/ the specs. 🙂

tell me about it. sadly, i've read similar comments since the iPad keynote. at least it's now official that some macbook pro owners could have purchased an HP Mini netbook instead. actually, prospective iPad owners might want to have a gaze at the HP Mini netbook line for the same reason 😉

 

[*LTD*]

I'm sorry, but I cannot get past that statement. If you think the iPad will replace a MacBook Pro, then you should familiarize yourself w/ the specs. 🙂

Depends what the user uses the MBP for. I'd wager a lot of users don't even come within a fraction of its capabilities. It's just a nice notebook to have, as notebooks go. One does not simply buy Apple products based on needs, but on wants.

Further, the App Store is a massive resource, and it's about to get a lot bigger, with more powerful apps. The iPad platform's potential is insane.

 

[BVeritas]

My point is that if Apple tries to wall off the Ipad (via a
closed Itunes-only Ipad-only content model), they may sell fewer
Ipads than if it is open (buy content from anyone, anywhere).
Sure, other manufacturers will sell slates, but the market is
much larger, which increases the content available, which will
increase the market....

Not really a wall off, rather something that works.

 

[rhett7660]

tell me about it. sadly, i've read similar comments since the iPad keynote. at least it's now official that some macbook pro owners could have purchased an HP Mini netbook instead. actually, prospective iPad owners might want to have a gaze at the HP Mini netbook line for the same reason 😉

Maybe this person all they wanted to do was surf the web, read some articles and on occasion edit a lite document? What is so hard for you to understand? Oh because they wanted something they deemed nice as opposed to purchasing a netbook?

 

[AidenShaw]

"media content", not "apps"

With +140.000 apps already in the App Store, and a flood of iPad native apps on the way, how many ordinary consumers do you think are going to feel "walled off" in their choice of apps? Really ...

Did you not notice that I said "apps" zero times, and "content" three times?

If it's not possible to read/play content purchased/downloaded from anywhere on the
Ipad, nor possible to read/play Ipad content purchased/downloaded from Itunes on
any other slate - then it's much less interesting to me. I'm not alone here (although
on MacRumors it's a minority view).

 

[BVeritas]

Did you not notice that I said "apps" zero times, and "content" three times?

Content 'r' apps.

 

[E.Lizardo]

I'm happy with the kindle - and the free 3g.

It is nice(the free 3g),but,really,is it such a huge freaking hassle to download your books at home or at a free wifi hotspot?I mean they are books,it takes a while to read one and either device can hold massive numbers of them.For me,given the additional functions of the iPad,it's well,well worth giving up the free 3G and having a screen that may be slightly less comfortable for reading.

Heck-you can read the book,watch the movie,and listen to the soundtrack all on one device!Then after that you can leave a review on rotten tomatoes and play the game based on the movie!

Pretty nice trade off for my dollars.

 

[E.Lizardo]

The iPad will make a great magazine reader. I'm not sure if I'd want to read a long book on it. Seems too big and heavy. But as none of us has had a hands-on with it I'm willing to hold judgment.

I wonder how the iPad weight compares to the average hardback book?????????

 

[AidenShaw]

Content 'r' apps.

Sorry, I can't call "books" by the name "applications".

Do you have to "install" a PDF file to read it? No, a PDF file
is data for the "Adobe Reader" application (or whatever PDF reader
app you use).
__________

-BVeritas

What does zero population growth have to do with civil rights?

 

[manhattanboy]

Amazing how Apple can enter a market and change/dominate it seemingly overnight

I thinks its more sad than amazing. I mean WTF! Why is everyone so high over this product?
Give me a $100 Android tablet that can stream Hulu over this POS any day.

Everything you can do on the iPad, you can do on an iPhone or any other capable smart phone.
I mean reading books? That's so 1990's...

 

[Xtremehkr]

Seeing as the iPad is first on the market, and will likely dominate the 'slate' market, the iPad will use the native operating system that most initial software for 'slates' will run.

Depending on how long it takes competitors to catch up, software companies will be introducing new products for the iPad, then porting them to the operating systems of competing 'slates.'

 

[BVeritas]

Sorry, I can't call "books" by the name "applications".

The delivery vehicle is all that matters.

 

[E.Lizardo]

really....the input here is fun....the surveys involved "normal people".

We, that read or write in this forum, don't fall in the category of "normal people" as it relates to Apple Products. We are zealots and good for us. We love or hate the products and thats ok too. What everyone, well most, are missing is that these are surveys of the market that we are a VERY small percentage of... and the survey is accurate. Relax, nobody has one yet, at least the"normal people" dont, so lets wait and see.


I'm 60, left the "Dark Side" in March of 2009. If Stevie makes it, I own it.😀 And i mean all of the products.

Welcome!!

 

[jragosta]

well when i do read a book which isnt often i choice it for many reasons
3. its not huge.

You're wrong right off the bat. I have quite a few books that weigh more than the 1.5 lb iPad. And many that are larger. The rest of your arguments are silly, too.

the difference between a type writer and a computer is the typer writer had nothing over a computer.

Sure it does - it has several of the same advantages you cited for a book - it doesn't need power, it doesn't need memory, and no one's going to steal one.

To [ab]use Jobs' BMW/Mercedes cliché - would you rather have 90%
of a niche market, or 5% (or 20%, or 40%) of an enormous market

I would rather have discussions with people who are smart enough to realize that complicated business decisions can rarely be reduced to such a silly question.

My point is that if Apple tries to wall off the Ipad (via a
closed Itunes-only Ipad-only content model), they may sell fewer
Ipads than if it is open (buy content from anyone, anywhere).

Only because you haven't figured out that the world isn't full of geeks.

Maybe you can explain how the iPhone accounts for something like 80% of all the mobile data downloads if no one will ever use it to access content because it's a closed system.

I'm sorry, but I cannot get past that statement. If you think the iPad will replace a MacBook Pro, then you should familiarize yourself w/ the specs. 🙂

For many people, it could. I know a number of people who never use their computer for more than web browsing and email.

OTOH, even for more advanced users, the iPod might replace their MacBook Pro. For example, I have a Mac Mini Server at home and am now starting to transfer all my data files from my MacBook Pro. When I travel, I have typically carried my MBP with me. I'm seriously considering using the iPad and Back to My Mac (or LogMeIn or GoToMyPC) to access the Mini. That way, I'll have access to ALL my data all the time but won't need to carry a heavy laptop.

I wonder how the iPad weight compares to the average hardback book?????????

iPad weighs 1.5 lb. Hardcover books vary, of course, but 1-2 lb is not uncommon. I'm currently reading a Stephen King book that's just under 2 lb - so the iPad would be lighter than just that one book. Since I often take 2 or 3 books with me on vacation (or more, depending on the length of the trip), I'll save a good bit of weight - AND be able to carry a smaller briefcase.

 

[E.Lizardo]

I already have a Kindle (1st gen) and don't really plan on getting rid of it. I'm hoping that the Kindle app gets upgraded for the iPad so that I can switch back and forth. The Kindle is great in bright light; think laying in my hammock. However, having a light on at night when my wife is trying to sleep is a pain. I also like the battery length on the Kindle vs. how long Apple says the iPad battery will last. One point I haven't seem emphasized is that Amazon stores (i.e. backs up) your books and you can re-download. I'd be curious if Apple takes a similar approach w/ ebooks or if it's more of the iTunes model where you have to back up your own stuff. That's a pretty big factor for me since a book costs substantially more than a $0.99 song and I really like to read.

Looks like it's going to be the iTunes model.But really,how many time do you read a book vs listen to a song?As Steve might say:"Back your stuff up.Not that big of a deal."

 

[AidenShaw]

The delivery vehicle is all that matters.

I hold exactly the opposite view - the content is what matters,
you should be able to consume something that you've purchased
on the devices (emphatically plural) of your choice.

If I subscribe to a magazine, I should be able to read it on my PC
at home, my PC at work, my smartphone, or my slate.

I would rather have discussions with people who are smart enough to realize that complicated business decisions can rarely be reduced to such a silly question.

Good luck, have fun talking to the dinosaurs from companies like
Digital and Sun who liked to build walled gardens.

Maybe you can explain how the iPhone accounts for something like 80% of all the mobile data downloads if no one will ever use it to access content because it's a closed system.

Maybe you could tell us what percentage of that 80% is paid content vs. web pages, email, IM and the like?

0% ? 1% ?

 

[E.Lizardo]

WOW!

Both my iPod Touch and my MacBook pro on their lowest brightness settings, when in a low light situation, bother my eyes, where as reading something on paper, in the same lighting "conditions" does not, because it's indirect lighting.

Talk about stupid, hello JRAGOSTA.

Keep your arrogant opinions to yourself if you insist on insulting others. The sooner one-dimensional morons like you gain a bit more understanding and TACT, the sooner we can all get along. Just giving it back.

Given the sarcastic nature of your original post,you asked for it.

 

[E.Lizardo]

really...they bother your eyes? I can barely see a thing with my iPhone's brightness set to its lowest setting.

really.......?

He was orphaned and raised by owls.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Wow. I guess these people never want to read in the park or at the beach, by the pool, or whatever. I hope they realize that the iPad screen does not work outdoors. I suspect they don't.

If it's anything like the iPhone screen you're wrong.I have no problen reading mine in direct sunlight.

 

[polaris20]

I guess we just have different definitions for "fairly ubiquitous",
that's all.

I don't know anyone who's used a touch around me, so I don't
consider them to be ubiquitous.

24 million iPod touch devices is quite a big number, even if not adhering to the strictest definition of the word "ubiquitous". I know of no less than 16 people that have iPod touches, and many more with iPhones.

The iPad is not an e-reader.
Its a touchpad. A portable computer.

It does not have e-ink, it does not last as long as an e-reader, it does not have as good resolution as an e-reader, and the book-app is just one program of an entire operating system.

So reading books is not the primary function of the iPad. You cant call it an e-reader then.

An iPod touch has a web browser. But it is not its primary function. Does that mean I cannot call it a web device? Your logic is flawed.

The iPad is an eBook reader, because you will be able to read eBooks on it. It is also a web appliance, because you can browse the web on it. It's also a media device, because you can watch movies and listen to music on it.

Also, many people in the market for an e-reader do not like eInk. My mother doesn't care for it at all, nor do I, having borrowed a Kindle DX recently. The black on grey just isn't contrasty enough. Also, the lack of color is a big downside for books containing diagrams or illustrations, like many of my IT books have. Kindles are also severely lacking for magazine content.

For an e-reader at $480 for the DX vs. $499 for the iPad, the iPad is definitely a better value to me. Oh yeah, it can also play every DVD I own (after it's been encoded) as well as my entire iTunes directory, in addition to browsing the web, doing e-mail, RDPing into servers, etc. etc. etc.

It's a no brainer for someone like me.