Well, Stitch, I think this is the most significant announcement from Apple since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. Like many people, what took me by surprise was the pricing of the device and the 3G pricing that comes with it. At these prices, it's enough to entice a tightwad like myself to buy!
I had mentioned before it's possible Apple was distinguishing itself on this product by including its proprietary chip (since it bought PA Semi) in the device. I would think this is one of the reasons they thought that this device wouldn't be as easy to copy as the iPhone. The performance and battery life appear to be outstanding on first glance, and that apparently is due to the chip!
A4 Chip
At these prices, and with the ability to run all these applications that are already written, it seems like a home run. What do you think?
2 comments:
Yes the iPad is here. I think it is pretty much what everyone was expecting. A large iTouch. But I think the most amazing thing is the price. This is very unApplelike. Usually Apple has an amazing new device and prices it high intially and then drops the price. This is geared to be a mass marketed device. It still is a bit pricey as a replacement for books. I thought the Kindle at $300-$400 was too high for books. But with the added capability of the iPad over the Kindle, the price seems right. Jobs talks about schools using these. I would not feel comfortable with my son using such an expensive device, in such an easily droppable size. I don't even let him use my iPod classic because it can be bricked so easily. I think they would need to make a student version which is made to take much more abuse for it to work for students. But hey, the great low power consumption, the good price, and the infrastructure of the App store already in place will make this a definite hit.
As for the A4 chip. I am surprised Apple making their own chips. Computer chip were suppose to have become commodities. Only a few large companies like Intel could make a profit on these in very large volumes. Look how the G4 chip got no respect. But this is a low power use chip, perfect for Apple's new markets of iPhone/iTouch/iPad. So maybe they are big enough now to do it alone.
It is so interesting as you say - history almost repeating itself with Apple once again taking part in the production and inclusion of its own chip in a product, much like the PowerPC of old!
I wonder when they will start shipping the iPad!
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