Product development is always challenging, more specially so when you are already renowned for making products that shape and reshape how humans interact with technology. I'm referring to Apple, Inc. Everybody is eagerly anticipating the release of the new iPad 3 (or iPad HD as some bloggers are calling it).
With new retina display, quad core Apple processor and possible support for LTE on both Verizon and AT&T, iPad 3 is hyped to be a super hit - more than any of the other iPads released before. Despite all that jazz, I have my doubts about the success of Apple iPad 3. Here are few reasons for my skepticism
- No 'Jobs': The mere fact that Steve Jobs no more will be doing the launch for this device is a big risk to the success of iPad3. I'm not sure how much media buzz Tim Cook will be able to generate. It's really hard to be successor to a larger-than-type CEO like Steve Jobs.
- Too many iPad sold: Between April, 2010 and June, 2011, Apple sold roughly 25 million iPads. Also as per Q4 2011 Apple financial results, about 11 million iPads were sold only in that quarter alone. With most folks (in the early adopter category) already having iPads, we may not witness a mad rush for buying a new one so soon.
- Android Tablets: are catching up fast. Ton of competition for iPad 2 from Android tablet makers both here in USA and globally have made people aware of the choices they have in terms of tablets. iPad3 runs the risk of being launched in a much more mature tablet market than ever before.
- FoxConn connection: The build-up of aluminium dust that caused two explosions in the iPad2 factories run by infamous FoxConn in China has earned Apple some bad PR. Labor rights concerned tree-huggers and others close to them may shun iPad 3.
Thoughts??
