Posted on 03/21/2017 1:58:01 PM PDT by Swordmaker
Apple just dropped a new iPad with all the excitement of an IRS audit,” Daniel Howley writes for Yahoo Finance. “That is to say, there was none. It feels like the company just woke up Tuesday morning and decided, ‘Hey, let’s announce a new iPad.’ Instead of a flashy event like Apple usually holds when it debuts a new product, we simply got a press release. I’ve had dentist appointments that were more thrilling than Apple’s latest announcement.”
“So why did Apple, the company that basically owns the tablet market, debut a new iPad without making a big show of it?” Howley writes. “Well, because the iPad isn’t that exciting anymore. It simply doesn’t warrant a lot of fanfare.”
“The tablet market isn’t hot anymore and Apple knows it,” Howley reports. “To sweeten the pot for prospective consumers, Apple has moved the iPad into the budget market. Whereas the iPad Pro 9.7 starts at a pricy $599, the new iPad starts at $329. That’s pretty reasonable for a new iPad.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Dan is going to feel mighty silly when Apple unveils their new iPad Pro lineup at a special event within weeks. Today’s iPad was merely part of a press release dump of all of the things that wouldn’t fit, or merit inclusion, into the event’s schedule.
BTW, we told ya so:
iPads are too expensive relative to the perceived competition and Apple has obviously done a piss-poor job of marketing the iPad family (read: clearly explaining to the hoi polloi why they want an iPad over an Amazon or other Android tablet).
Sticker price is the biggest reason why iPad sales struggle to return to growth (the next biggest reason is that iPads’ useful lives last so damn long, they’re not rapidly replaced).
We would have purchased iPads for family members this year if they had been updated as they should have been for the holiday season and if the prices were a bit more palatable. Yes, we know what an iPad offers. Yes, we know they’re worth the money Apple’s asking for today; even being last year’s models. But, Apple should really do the math and consider making certain hardware more affordable in exchange for the backend revenue and increased mindshare and market share that will deliver.
For the same reason – mindshare – Apple should make their own Apple displays, even to the point of taking a loss of each and every one, so that other companies’ logos on frankly ugly products that do not match Apple design sensibilities are not in users’ faces all day long. That’s not a difficult concept to grasp; even an inveterate beancounter might be able to get it. — MacDailyNews, January 6, 2017
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s new $329 iPad is thicker and slightly heavier than iPad Air 2 – March 21, 2017
Apple unveils new 9.7-inch iPad starting at new low price of just $329 – March 21, 2017 – March 21, 2017
MY $49.95 Android based Kindle Fire is all I need.....................
For the same reason – mindshare – Apple should make their own Apple displays, even to the point of taking a loss of each and every one, so that other companies’ logos on frankly ugly products that do not match Apple design sensibilities are not in users’ faces all day long.
Funny
The latest Apple/Mac/iOS Pings can be found by searching Keyword "ApplePingList" on FreeRepublic's Search.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me
No, iPads aren’t useful, many people, like me, don’t “need” nor want one, and the price, even the new CHEAPO model is still far to high to ever induce me to buy, let alone have one. ;^)
The iPad was a fad from the beginning, and it took off because of great advertising and because of the novelty of the item.
But, from the beginning, it was a product looking for a reason to exist. That it was and still is the biggest money-maker in the tablet market, does not change the fact that, nobody needs a tablet for any reason. Especially now with the 5-6 inch smartphones that have become the prevalent size in the industry.
But, there will always be someone that will justify a reason for anything to exist, and nobody is more adept at doing that than Apple and it’s loyal followers. Apple can’t do wrong with those iZombies.
The mini’s are great for kids.
Apple dropped making the Apple Cinema Displays in favor of selling LG 5K displays. They sold the LG 5K monitors for about three months before dropping them because Apple customers complained about their esthetics. Big and black ugly monitors were not what they were looking for. LOL!
I also heard, on the other hand, that the LG displays had a high failure rate and that was the real reason Apple dropped them.
Choose the option that sounds more reasonable.
I’ve wanted an iPad since they were introduced. But, I haven’t bought one because I haven’t been able to convince myself that I need it for anything.
“$329. That’s pretty reasonable for a new iPad.”
Agree. Looking at the Apple web site, $1129 is the high end for a 12.9 inch pad with 236 GB and a cell feature. $329 is the low end for a 9.4 inch pad with 32 GB and no cell feature.
Pads are perfect for people who wish to show photos and videos and documents to sick people resting in a bed or a chair.
I’m on my second iPad. I wore the first one out.
I’ve got a mini that was a gift but I use my IPhone more.
Me too. I gave my first one to hubby. I live on my IPad.
You left off Tim Cook is a scummy Queer.
Would you believe most everyone has several item in their life that they don't need but yet they still want them, so they buy them?
I have the first generation iPad as well as several others not one has ever failed maybe that has something to do with low sales.
People whining about iPhone sales haven't seemed to notice the phone companies no longer offer those cheap upgrades every two years, maybe that has something to do with new sales, ya think? Some carriers are trying to lure new users from other carriers but offering a phone or two may help sales a little.
I used mine every day in my classroom. It is so much better for my needs than a laptop or a desktop. Outside of the actual teaching environment, it is used less. But as a teacher, I am thankful I have it.
If you can think of a reason to have,please let me know.
I’m about at that same point. I’m planning to look into this one.
You must be very small..................
Because “it’s cheaper, but still more expensive than most of the competition” and “it’s red” just aren’t exciting announcements.
Perhaps I also don't "need" some of the things that I do own; however, they give me great joy, many of them have greatly increased in value ( but I didn't buy them as an investment...they just turned out to be ), and neither can be claimed for an iPad.
Those who buy iPads, but have no NEED of them, are idiots! The same is true for people who buy things just because they believe that that stuff is "IN", want to be seen as "COOL", and/or don't think things through. :-)
Yes, I know all about phone companies offering a NEW iPhone, if you change to that carrier; you couldn't miss those commercials, a while back...they were all over T.V.!
Today, iPhones do all kinds of crazy things.....the least of which is being a phone. LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.