Thoughts on the iPad

Some disagree with the hubris press comments that Apple "has done it again" with the iPad. Some of those distracters even claim they are eager to own the device and wax on about its beauty. However, many of them ultimately dismiss the iPad as a mass-market success.
Apple once said in marketing statement. "Think Differently"

I agree it its not a device like a pod that everyone household "needs" today.
But I ask you to think of channels, Apple history, our history as a connected society and where we are headed in the next several years. To make this point, I have to tell a personal story from the early 1990’s.

I recall my own time at Apple when they paid my rent, nearly 20 years ago. (so long ago it wasn't a mortgage). :) Part of my role then was to launch the catalog division of "educator’s advantage" (note: the Apple educator channel was previously only available through on-campus dealers and "authorized" resellers... well before the notion of an Apple Store). That catalog effort was built around those "new" products at the time - PowerPC, Duo 230, The Newton, The Quicktake. While ground-breaking at the time, the market wasn't quite ready for them (nor was Apple to build enough to meet the demand -- Apple was far from perfect then...) but those products and concepts laid the archetype groundwork of what would follow in this last decade.

Point is - while the iPad might not meet mass consumer adoption, Apple has always had fantastic relationship with all levels of the education system. This device priced at the entry level for consumers, will I believe will be further discounted for schools and the fact that the connection is open/free and that it doesn't require long term contracts, allows Apple the agility to meet the needs of the classroom. And this device seems to do just that. Now add in that cool factor ... what kid doesn't clamor for an i-whatever? I know mine do (sample size of 2).

So ... given Apple's previous prowess at marketing into this market and the "coolness halo factor" that follows, I am betting that we will see this in the fall as a must have for many school districts - at every level. This will drive the herd (meaning us older folks) to follow in those tracks. They have used this recipe in every launch (outside of iPod/phone) since the Apple II. And when that famous Mac ad hit that famous bowl game ... well then, wow - the herd was primed to follow, except those "devices" started at 8K and above, and the "Classic" generations to follow would be discounted to 4K. So the economics where different, but Apple has demonstrated that they can now a) meet the economics, b) meet the demand and most importantly c) - the holy marketer grail - influence the herd to follow.

The ground work for the educator channel was laid in the last century and now the time is ripe, which is why I suspect Steve is so bullish about his latest accomplishment. Ultimately in another 10 or 20 years, we will look back upon today as the moment that began to change information exchange within the walls of our Children's schools. Or perhaps I am too hopeful :) But whatever I might do in the future, I bet that it might involve my iPad.