iPad: 2 million sold in less than 60 days

Apple announced on Monday that in less than two months 2 million iPads have been sold. On May 28th the iPad had it's international launch in  Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Large queues were reported in Australia, Japan and the UK with people waiting for up to 30 hours before they got their hands on their beloved iPads. 


Steve Jobs had this to say “Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”


When the iPad first launched we had written an article which said that the iPad could be a boon for third world countries and could be used for education in distant and remote areas. Places that are hard to reach for medical aid could also benefit from the iPad it is easy to cart around and comes with great battery life. In addition it does not cost too much and can be easily transported. 


The Apps available are amazing and there is at least one App available for every user's needs.   Apple we bet would like to make one iPad for every individual in the world and the success of this would depend entirely on the Apps as this is what makes the iPad a success. Since high end computing is quiet limited on the iPad the Apps make up for whatever short comings critics throw at the iPad. It is selling and it is here to stay.

[Image Courtesy: Apple ]

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Sociolatte

How to clean the iPad

One of the side effects of the iPad overuse seems to be greasy smudges and fingerprints according to many reports. Especially if a lot of people want to touch your iPad and run their fingers all over the screen. iPad owners have reported that one of the side effects in having to use the iPad constantly is that a lot of grease developers because of the sweat on the screen.


The phenomenal gadget is grease and smudge prone. Creative users have started showing off their smudge designs on the iPad. Of all the uses Steve Jobs thought off this was probably not one of them.  The WSJ also has a video on the same, which we have attached.


Apple says the iPad has the same fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating as the iPhone. Nevertheless there is smudging and well some users think it's good as it let's them slide over the scree much more easily.


Apple on the other hand recommends iKlear a non-toxic liquid cleaner, which its manufacturer Meridrew Enterprises says Apple uses on its own production lines. The Danville, Calif., company sells it in a package with a washable antibacterial microfiber cloth.

"Our stuff can't be absorbed by the skin. Even if you're handling it all day long, it doesn't dry out your skin," says John Younghein, president of the company, adding that it's so safe "you can drink it and brush your teeth with it." Since the iPad launched, sales of Meridrew's largest iKlear kit for $29.95 have doubled, he adds.

Mr. Younghein says Meridrew developed the cloth two years ago originally for the iPhone at the request of Apple, because the company was worried about people holding the phone close to their faces after touching cab doors, elevator buttons and other places where germs could be lurking.

Source [ WSJ ]

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Sociolatte

iPad shortages at 74% in the US says Analyst

The iPad is set to go on sale internationally next week and Apple does not have enough supplies in the US. 

If you don't have your iPad yet, get in line. A new seat-of-the-pants survey by the research firm Piper Jaffray finds that Apple's popular tablet computer is in short supply. The analysts called 50 Apple stores and found a "very limited" supply of iPads. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has issued a research note outlining his findings when he called 50 Apple Stores to see which iPads they had in stock.

74% had none available, and 26% had some Wi-Fi models, but no stores had the 3G iPad in stock for immediate purchase.

 Fortune magazine's web site reports. Specifically:

• 37 stores were sold out.


• 
  13 stories had only Wi-Fi models.
  


• 
  All 50 stores were out of the 3G model.
  

Customers are however able to reserve an iPad and collect it 4-7 days later or order online and receive it 7-10 days later.

The sales of the iPad might have even hurt the sale of Apple's own iPod. The only reason for this short supply seems to be Apple's iPad launch in 9 more countries on the 28th. 

It is also being reported that all Apple stores are getting new units everyday but new reservations outnumber shipments.

If there are any other reasons let us know in the comments section of this post. 

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Sociolatte

iPad what can it do

This is just a quick round up and things you can do using the ipad.

1. You can make calls on the iPad and the applications of choice is Skype there is also Vonage and Truphone

2. You can work on Word Docs, Spread sheets and Power Point Presentations.

3. You can connect a camera and memory card directly to the iPad

4. Automatically access photos from your iPhone or iPod Touch

5. download movies from iTunes and other sites and watch when your offline

6. Download attachments like videos, photos and songs

7. Download ebooks for iBooks and enjoy a good read.

8. Games and more games, the iPad is good for games and you can download games it is excellent for games.

9. Browse the web. Supports HTML5 and java Script.

10. Photos look really beautiful on the iPad upload photos and organize them in albums.
12. Read newspapers and magazines on the ipad

13. WiFi connectivity

14. Apps, the iPad runs all iPhone apps and therefore makes it all the more valuable with the choice of apps that fit every users needs.

15.Supports iWork software

16. Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard or use a physical keyboard

17. 10 inch touchscreen

Something we missed please do let us know

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Sociolatte

Google to develop a Tablet computer to rival the iPad

Verizon Wireless's CE Lowell McAdam spoke with the WSJ saying that they were working with Google Inc to develop a device to rival the iPad. 

With it's international growth and staggering sales figures it seems that every company in the hardware space wants a device to rival the iPad. Google whose core business is internet search has made it's foray into hardware and software related markets. The latest move is going to further the rivalry between Apple and Google.

Apple's standpoint has always been we did not get into the search business but Google got into the mobile business. HP is also releasing a device called the 'Hurricane'  to take on Apple's iPad. Features missing on the iPad can be found on the Hurricane like a camera and USB ports.

 A Google spokesman did not address the specific rumor about a Google-Verizon tablet, and said that its Android platform could be used for a variety of things.

"Android is a free, open source mobile platform. This means that anyone can take the Android platform and add code or download it to create a mobile device without restrictions," he said in a statement. "The Android smartphone platform was designed from the beginning to scale downward to feature phones and upward to MID and netbook-style devices. We look forward to seeing what contributions are made and how an open platform spurs innovation, but we have nothing to announce at this time."

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Sociolatte

iPad's cannibalization of the Netbook market.

With all the predictions that abounded in regards to the iPad. No one guessed that the iPad could grow to become a Netbook killer. Netbooks known for their affordability and easy net access combined with the ability to easily work on Word and Spreadsheets seemed that they could not be touched. The iPad on the other hand is fine if you want to sit and catch up on email in between sharing photos with your friends and watching a TV show.

The Netbook was more for work and the iPad seemed more for after work. But this is all set to change. With it's ability to run only one application at a time and all it's drawbacks the iPad is taking over or at least this is what is seen from graphs released  by Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.

It seems that the iPad is doing to the Netbook what the Netbook did to the laptop. The iPad is easy to carry around especially for business travelers and if your work involves mainly catching up on email then this is the preferred device.

Check out the stats for the graph below. 

Does this mean that the iPad is all set to cannibalize the Netbook market?

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Sociolatte

iPad to go international on May 28

Apple today announced the iPad will be available to customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. on May 28. Customers in those countries will be able to pre-order all six iPad models from Apple beginning this coming Monday, May 10. In addition, in July, the iPad will come to Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Singapore. Prices and pre-ordering details will be available for those countries closer to their availability.

In the U.K., the Wi-Fi-only iPads will sell for £429, £499, and £599 for 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB respectively. The 3G models will go for  £529, £599, and £699 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. All prices include the U.K.'s Value Added Tax (VAT); the iPads will be available through brick-and-mortar and online Apple Stores, as well as select Apple resellers. 

Pricing & Availability 
iPad is available in the UK for a suggested retail price of £429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and £529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB and £699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models. iPad will be sold through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers. The iBooks app for iPad including Apple’s iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store on May 28th.

Apple plans to release iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Apple will announce availability, local pricing and pre-order plans for these nine additional countries at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

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Sociolatte

300,000 iPads sold on the first day and who bought them

Apple announced that 300,000 devices were sold on the first day a figure which included preorders. Meeting the expectations of financial analysts who were keeping a track on tabs on the company's highly anticipated tablet computer. With Apple CE Steve Jobs saying "It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world".

Now you may be wondering who bought these devices. The version that went on sale on Saturday can connect to the internet only via a Wi-Fi connection. The question is how many people are committing to buy only when the 3G version is released.

According to a survey by Piper Jaffray he breaks down the iPad buyers into these categories listed below.

• 74% were Mac users (26% owned another kind of PC). 96% planned to continue using their computers.


• 66% owned iPhones. Only four or five respondents (1%) thought they could replace their iPhone with an iPad.


• 
  13% owned Amazon (AMZN) Kindles and 58% of those planned to replace it with the iPad.

• The $499 16GB iPad was the most popular (39%) followed by the 32 GB (32%) and 64GB (28%). When the iPhone first launched, only 5% bought the low-end 4GB model.


• 74% planned to use their iPads to surf the Web; 38% to read books; 32% to e-mail; 26% to watch video; 18% to play games and other apps; 8% to listen to music.


• 78% said they didn't consider any other gadget before buying an iPad. 10% were thinking about buying a Kindle, 6% a netbook, 4% a laptop, 1% an iPhone, 1% an iPod touch.

Apps for the iPad are one of the major factors that has boosted sales and keep it alive. App are now available for just about anything. With new ones being added everyday.

Apple also said iPad users had downloaded more than one million apps from the company’s App Store and more than 250,000 electronic books from its iBookstore on Saturday. Some of the most popular applications include a word processing application made by Apple called Pages, an air-traffic control game called Flight Control, andNational Public Radio’s application.

Photo by Jim Wilson/NY Times

Is your website Apple iPad ready?

Apple has made it's stance very clear. They believe Flash is an outdated standard. And have been urging web developers to use HTML5 rather than flash for video playback.


Apple have launched their list of iPad ready websites which include CNN, Reuters and the New York Times. Web site developers are also urged by Apple to get their websites iPad ready. 



CBS and ABC are reportedly preparing television episodes to be viewed on the iPad -- CBS shows through HTML5 in the browser and ABC shows through a native iPad app. Hulu, a video site own by NBC Universal, News Corporation, and Walt Disney Company, is said to be preparing an iPad application.
And Netflix, the video rental service, appears to be preparing an iPad app that will allow subscribers to stream a limited selection of movies on Apple's eagerly anticipated device.
A company spokesperson declined to confirm this report and said, "Let's wait and see what Saturday brings."
YouTube, the most popular online video site, is not among those cited by Apple as iPad-ready, despite the fact that it does offer an HTML5 video player that works in Apple's Safari browser.
It's possible that YouTube wasn't mentioned because it's owned by Google, a company that has aggravated Apple by moving into the mobile phone business. But it could also be that YouTube's HTML5 player remains an experiment and that the bulk of its videos continue to be served in a Flash player.

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Sociolatte