Over on The New iPad Owner's App Buying Guide, A.T. Faust III lays out a compelling argument for what we'll see in the iPad mini. I'm not convinced yet that Apple will produce such a device, but this post is so well written it deserves a read.
Hat tip to Daring Fireball for the link.
Over on the Apple 2.0 blog, Philip Elmer-Dewitt covers a survey showing 24% of Americans surveyed plans to purchase the new iPad. Internationally, it was even higher at 27%.
A very interesting post by David Smith on his blog concerning the pace at which software upgrades are occurring on iOS and Android. The rapid pace at which users will be on the latest iOS software version can only serve to increase the quality of the apps they're using. The wide gulf in app quality between iOS and Android is only going to grow wider.
I'm traveling down the road in Georgia, riding in the passenger seat. My Internet connection is faster than most people's home connection. I must say, after choosing Wi-Fi only versions of both the original iPad and the iPad 2, my choice of the LTE version of the new iPad is going to dramatically change the way the device gets used.
Federico Viticci has written a great post for MacStories today about his first experience waiting in an Apple launch line. It expresses, in better language than I can write, everything I feel when I wait in line. It's definitely a must read story.
"Why are you still here?"
It's probably the most famous quote we have from Apple CEO Tim Cook. The context comes from an executive meeting about a problem in Asia. After the meeting topic shifted, Tim asked the question to an operations man who immediately stood and headed to the airport.
This quote came to mind while I was in my local Apple Store yesterday. I was talking to a salesman about photography and the stunning display on the new iPad for a couple minutes. I asked about the supply in the store and he told me they were low on a couple models, but that they were all available. I asked if there was a lot of demand. The answer was yes.
The genius of Tim Cook is now on full display. The new iPad launched in 12 countries last Friday. It will be available in 24 more this week. Apple sold 3 million iPads in 3 days. Anyone can walk in off the street and buy one. With no other company is this possible.
Last year, at the launch of the iPad 2, people lined up each morning at Apple Stores across the country hoping to get lucky. The iPad 2 was sold out and delivery dates were promised for a month later. The stores never knew if they were receiving new stock and if so, what models. People waited anyways.
With each successive product launch, the demand for Apple's products is increasing. It's crazy to think, but their ability to meet the demand is increasing as well. Apple has the pedal to the floor as they drive to replicate in the tablet market what they've achieved in the mp3 player market with the iPod. Tim Cook is pulling out all the stops to make sure there's no oxygen left in the room for other manufacturers to breath. If you want a tablet, Apple's going to make sure theirs is available to purchase.
I have no idea of the impact on the company from the loss of Steve Jobs. Nobody does. Maybe future products will lose a bit of the magic they currently contain. I believe however, that if they need it, Apple has some time to find their footing in a post Steve Jobs world. That time comes courtesy of Tim. He'll continue to relentlessly produce and supply the current product pipeline to any and all who want to buy. He's the right CEO at the right time.
The competition should be very scared.
Well, duh.
USA Today technology writer Edward C. Baig is really distinguishing himself of late. I gave him a pass and didn't comment after stupid comment number one contained in his review of the new iPad.
•Con. Shooting with camera can be awkward. No Adobe Flash. No camera flash. No expanded storage.
Maybe he didn't know that even Adobe isn't developing Flash for mobile devices. This would be hard to believe for anyone following technology, but oh well.
Now today he posted an entire article that's full of similar intelligent insight. The new iPad has LTE. It's fast. That's it's selling point. Who could have guessed that if you use it to DOWNLOAD ALL YOUR APPS, you'll burn through your data plan in a heartbeat? Ever hear of Wi-Fi?
Less than 24 hours after purchasing the Verizon Wireless version of the iPad + 4G — and choosing a $30, 2GB monthly data plan from Verizon — I was shocked by the notification on my iPad's screen: "There is no data remaining on your current plan."
In my case, I wasn't watching video. What nailed me, I think, is that I was wirelessly downloading a number of the apps that I had already purchased for my older iPad onto the latest model. Those apps were made available through Apple's iCloud.
He was shocked. Seriously? Apple really needs to reevaluate the writers who receive early review units when products are released. Providing units to reviewers like this does nobody any favors. Their products aren't represented well, readers waste their time and Edward C. Baig embarrasses himself.
It's easy for longtime iOS users to forget how many things our devices are capable of doing. It's also easy to overlook how overwhelming this can be for new users. I've owned iOS devices since they were first introduced. There's been a very steady growth over time, beginning with very basic features and leading to our present point. It's been easy to grow with the devices.
If you're a new user or know one, iMore does a fantastic job in their How-To section of educating users. Check out their site here.
With Apples plans for some it's nearly $100 billion revealed this morning, Horace Dediu weighs in to put their plan in perspective.
In other words, cash will increase but at a slower rate.