So, after the hype of the new thing from Apple,  all the reviewers, feature counters, and gadget hounds leaped forward with their observations on the product.  Some say it’s a big iPod touch, others say it’s a game-changing device for the book industry, (“standing on the shoulders of the Kindle” as SJ put it).  For sure – lots of differing opinions, and whether you like it, love it, have it, or even think it has potentional – the ultimate question is…will it sell?

The bottom line on any new product release from any company is whether it will sell in the marketplace.  Inside this economy, products will sell based on whether or not an item meets one of what I would say are three criteria:

1. Does it fill a need that previously was not being met?
2. Does it improve on an idea that already existed, and do so significantly?
3. Does the company introducing it have enough of an ability to instill faith from the consumer?

For the Apple iPad, the answer to each of these three things is a resounding yes!

Filling a need not previously met

The need that was not previously being met was the ability to bring the internet up close and personal to anyone – literally at your fingertips.  No matter what smart phone device you are talking about, displaying of internet pages has been rather lackluster – even on Apple products.  You have to scroll down and left a lot to see anything, and web pages are designed often to be viewed on much larger than a 3″ display.  While there are sites that have developed for that type of space, the amount of content is severely reduced to compensate for the minimal display.  With the Apple Ipad, this will no longer be needed.  Anyone who wants truly portable internet access on the quick will want an iPad, and many have already said they want one.

Improving an idea that already existed

Since the internet accessibility element has already been mentioned, here it is more helpful to look at the iBookstore that is under development.  It is interesting how SJ said they were “standing on the shoulders” of the Kindle, because to do that, means the Kindle is necessarily…well, under Apple.  In a back-handed way, Jobs said “Amazon, we’re coming after you…”  For this statement alone, Amazon had better watch out, because it’s become pretty well-known what happens when SJ wants something – he usually gets it!  For that reason alone, I believe that many will follow this book-reading movement by moving from the Kindle to the iPad.  It will likely support the same format, and possibly more – do it in color, and be able to view things like embedded photos and video shorts.  All very good reasons to consider getting the iPad instead of the Kindle.  Perhaps we should also be asking “What Would Amazon Do?” Convinced yet enough to get one?  I know of someone who is…

Apple is an established presence

It’s not like this (relatively) new company that is making the Siri – Apple has been around a while and has a pretty substantial, if not sometimes fanatical, fan base.  Some people will purchase a product simply because it is made by Apple, and not on any basis of whether they need it, can afford it, or would even use it very much.  Many of the fawning ones have already stated and re-stated their allegiance to the company and their intent to purchase.  On that basis alone, it is pretty much assured that Apple will sell millions of these.

So, regardless of what SK does when he gets his…another question to consider is to think about whether or not the iPad addresses one of the above 3 questions for you?  If it does, then you will likely buy one.  But unfortunately, no one will start a blog asking what you will do with the device after buying it!

Unless of course you write an insanely popular book, develop a video blog about it, create a website of video tutorials about how to use it, or even give it a review after purchase…so, after the purchase, the question still remains of what Scott K will do – share your thoughts in the polls!