Accessory Makers Have High Hopes for iPad
Third party accessory companies have profited immensely from Apple’s iPod and iPhone lines of products, and now they are preparing for next month’s launch of the iPad with an assortment of products, including cases, chargers and more.
Analysts expect Apple to sell between 1 million and 5 million iPads in the product’s first year, which is well below what the hardware maker ships each year in iPhones and iPods. However, some believe iPad owners will spend more on accessories because of the device’s larger form factor and higher price point.
Apple to Sell iPad at Best Buy
Apple said Tuesday that sales of its upcoming iPad device will follow a model similar to that of the iPhone during its onset, with availability limited to the company’s direct sales channels and select other retail locations that receive Apple assistance.
Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer, spoke at the Goldman Sachs annual tech conference in San Francisco Tuesday afternoon. He said the iPad will launch in retail, online education and other direct sales from Apple, but will also include the company’s assisted sales from partners like Best Buy.
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iPad Demand Exceeds Initial iPhone Interest
Approximately 13 percent of the public may be likely to buy an iPad, claims RBC Capital Markets’ Mike Abramsky. The analyst cites a recent RBC/ChangeWave survey, which used a base of 3,200 people. The figure is notably higher than the initial demand for the iPhone, which was pegged at 9 percent before the 2007 launch of the device.
The difference is said to be pricing, as the cheapest iPad costs $499.
iPad’s Safari Browser
Apple’s iPad should be the ultimate device for web browsing so it’s no wonder that Apple is pitching the 9.7-inch multitouch device as a fit for couch potatoes. Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs didn’t spare superlatives to describe browsing aspect of the iPad at the official unveiling in January 2010.
Jobs sang praises for the iPad’s large screen, 1024×768 resolution – enough to display most web pages at full width – and multitouch technology that enables easy navigation. Here’s an excerpt of Jobs’ pitch:
What this device does is extraordinary. You can browse the web with it – it is the best browsing experience you’ve ever had. It’s phenomenal, to see a whole web page right in front of you and you can manipulate it with your fingers,
Hulu Working on iPad Site Version
According to TechCrunch, the popular video site Hulu is working on a way to deliver its content to the iPad.
“The TV shows on Hulu would be perfect on the iPad. There is just one hitch: the iPad doesn’t support Flash, and all of Hulu’s videos currently run inside a Flash player,” states TechCrunch
“But that could change by the time the iPad launches in Read more
WIRED Magazine iPad Edition
Microsoft Office on iPad
According to the gadget website T3, Microsoft Senior Product Manager Mike Tedesco recently let it be known that the Seattle based company is currently toying with the possibility of creating a version of their Office suite for Apple’s iPad.
“Yeah, it’s something that we’re looking at,” said Microsoft’s Mike Tedesco, who is the Senior Product Manager for WindowsBU. “Obviously the announcement (of the iPad) is really fresh and there’s nothing to announce or nothing that I can talk to you about today. We’ve had tablet technology forever and both Windows 7 and Windows Vista automatically detect that and you can be running your Office on there.”
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How much does it cost to build an iPad?
iSuppli, an El Sugundo, California company that specializes in virtual teardowns made an estimate on the bill of materials for Apple’s entire iPad line.
Using the components described in the product’s spec sheet and making educated guesses about where they might come them, iSuppli produced a grid posted further below.
Based solely on parts and manufacturing, iSuppli estimated that Apple’s mark up on the iPads range Read more
Norwegian Retailers Suspend Pre-orders
Late last week, Norwegian retailer Eplehuset (Apple House) suspended pre-orders all together. A message on their site states that those who have already placed orders will have their spot in line reserved, while others are out of luck. “We have chosen not to receive more pre-orders for now,” the site says, “we will contact you as soon as we know anything more.”
Humac has supsended pre-orders as well.
iBooks E-Reader Demo
Apple Gift Card Contest
iPad Quick Vids
