[citation][nom]theuerkorn[/nom]Leaving room for improvement. I guess they're trying to push annual updates on the iPad too, and this is an easy one. Forward-thinking product line management.[/citation]
Surprised you got voted down for this comment - as I think you're dead on. It is planned obsolescence to keep new product updates selling, something that several other posters commented on (and got up votes).
Almost all companies are the same - its about how do you maximize selling units. Take movies. First put the movie out in the theater, then put it exclusively on premium movie cable channels, then release the DVD, then release the extended DVD, then release the extended edition with new behind-the-scenes features pack, then release the unrated version, then release the directors cut DVD, then release the Collectors edition DVD, then release the... oh, I think you get the point.
[citation][nom]fonzy[/nom]I hope Apple figures out that there are other tablets that are coming out that are far superior. They can't just rely on the name and the app store to sell it's product.[/citation]
I said it before and I'll say it again - I don't think it matters. For just about every product, there has been something in existence that could be considered its rival. However, Apple's image of simplicity and usability (and "coolness") dominates the consumer minds "Cause we all wanna be big silhouettes, dancing with iTunes with white cords in..." (Yeah, I just ripped off Nickleback... pretty lame, eh?)
Sad thing is people really lock themselves into Apples control. How many times have we heard about the arbitrary nature of their apps approval process. You get what Apple feels fits their image - and if it doesn't fit their image despite being useful, then you'd have to go to something like Windows or Linux to doom yourself to being teased as a fat stuffed-shirt corporate geek. You'd no longer be hip, cool, and young... you'd be... OMG - Middle AGED!!!!
Sorry, got off track. Point is people don't buy Apple iPods because they are the best device on the market. They will not buy the iPad because it is a great device that holds all the features that a $2000-$3000 slate PC running windows 7 does (or the ModBook) or because of its new an innovating design. They'll buy it to be another silhouette dancing with white cords, to feel young and cool - because that's what the TV ads tells them they will be.