Remember the hype before the first iPod?
Will the Apple tablet defy the rumors like the iPod did?
For months, I’ve been reading about all of the hype and rumors surrounding the expected announcement of a tablet computer from Apple. Like the rumors and hype leading up to the announcement of the fist iPod, the hype and rumors of Apple’s tablet computer will likely give way to something almost completely unexpected, and maybe, disappointing. In October 2001, it was rumored that Steve Jobs would announce the successor to the Newton. Apple was going to reinvent the PDA. Instead, Apple released a hard drive based digital music player for $399. A lot of Apple fans everywhere were crushed. They wanted an Apple branded PDA, and they couldn’t understand why Apple would want to produce consumer electronics. More than 9 years later, the iPod has been a runaway success, and the most popular music player in the world. It revolutionized the way we all listen to music. If Apple does indeed release a tablet computer next week, it too will be misunderstood, and it will disappoint a lot of people.
Apple fans always create their own versions of what they want to see from Apple. Over time, they add to their creations, read about other people’s ideas, and gradually form an image of what is to be announced. When Steve Jobs later announces the actual product, our hopes are either totally dashed, or we are surprised and delighted. There will be a lot of tech pundits, and Apple fans who will criticize Apple’s latest creation. They will complain that it costs too much, that it leaves out features, or that it has no chance at success. The original iPod contained a 5GB internal hard drive, and held about 1000 songs. Its original sales price is the same as the sales price of an iPod touch with over 12 times of the original’s storage capacity, and far more features. The original iPod became the best selling digital music player before it even began supporting Windows. Apple’s tablet computer will likely garner a similar market share against its competitors despite its price, and its leaving out some key features that everyone had hoped for and wanted.
A few years ago, I found this link, and bookmarked it. It’s a forum thread at Macrumors.com where several people were complaining about the original iPod just after it was announced.
I’m quite sure that we will see a similar forum thread next week when Apple announces its latest creation. For the record, I have doubted several of Apple’s revolutionary products. When the first iMac was released, I was worried about its lack of legacy I/O ports such as serial ports, and SCSI. The first iMac only had USB, and no floppy drive. Like the iPod, the iMac became a huge success. Before the first iPhone was announced, I had serious worries about what the product would turn out to be. I, like everyone else, was totally blown away by the iPhone. My good friend Jason frequently reminds me of how I doubted the iPhone. I’m so glad I was wrong 
Since I was so terribly wrong about the iPhone, I have decided not to speculate about Apple’s rumored tablet computer. Instead, I will simply keep an open mind. I don’t really need a tablet computer, but we never know if we need something until we actually see it.
Tags: Apple, hype, iLife, iPhone, iPod, islate, itablet, mac os x, rumors, Steve Jobs, tablet
Based on the recent history of the iPhone, i won’t be going out to buy the first tablet. I will wait for the product to improve and and also wait for the price to drop. Knowing the history of Apple that won’t be too long. I’d luv to know many people had buyers remorse after going to buy the first version.
I worked for Apple as a Mac Genius at the time that the first iPhone was released. There were only a tiny few customers that I worked with who had buyer’s remorse. They loved their iPhones. I suspect the same will be true of Apple’s tablet computer.
Howie, great post! I saw you on loopt and decided to check out your site.
I can totally see myself with an apple tablet to use aroud the house to compliment my iMac. Othen than a camera I can’t see any other feature on this device that I would want that can’t be added with a software update. That’s the genius of the iPhone, iPod touch and the ipad, they are practically all software. I rarely use my laptop outside of my house so I would seriously consider dumping it for something like this. I do wish it was a stand alone device that you didn’t have go synch but I guess I can deal with that.
Thanks for the comment. I could never dump my laptop, but I think that there are a lot of people who probably could if they got an iPad. I think that the iPad will evolve over time to encompass a lot of functions that could not be initially delivered in the first version. Apple’s strategy has always been to lock down some really great features on the first version of the product, then gradually add new features as they become more refined over time. I’m sure that Apple has a lot of great features on the roadmap for the iPad, but they’re being very wise to nail down its core features first, then release new features after they are perfected.