Apple’s revolutionary iPad: One of the most successful products ever

62 Comments

“Yes, we all know that the iPad is an extremely successful product,” Tim Worstall reports for Forbes.

“It has invented, created, a new niche, a new product line, in computing,” Worstall reports. “We can see the effects of the shipments on the bottom line of Apple: and the reflection in Apple’s share price.”

Worstall reports, “But here’s a number to show quite how successful the iPad is: ‘The iPad now accounts for over one per cent of worldwide web browsing – and in the US, that figure jumps to 2.1 per cent.’ For a product that’s only just over 14 months since first release that is an astonishing share of the global internet market to have captured.”

Read more in the full article here.

62 Comments

  3. Wow. Yessiree, bloodbath. Over one percent. Imagine that. And it has only been on the market a year. Why at this rate everyone will be doing their surfing via iPads by the end of this century. Them is some impressive stats there.

    Reply

    2. Tell us, oh wise and omniscient WhoB, what are your credentials that give you the right and ability to denegrate these numbers? Are you some kind of worldwide marketing analyst with a PhD in economics under your belt? Are you on the board of Cisco, or an advisor, perhaps, to an international consortium of telecommunications firms?

      No?

      Really?

      Or, wait . . . are you just another WinDroid back-haired troll doing your best to kick the FUD off your shoes in your mother’s basement? You, sir, are a joke . . . and so is your opinion (and your bank account, no doubt). Keep buying that RIMM, NOK, MSFT, et al., sirrah. You deserve your “success”!

      Reply

      1. How did you read all that into what I said. First off I bought my first 128 Mac in 1984, I have bought more than 20 Macs over the years. Have 3 iPhones on my account. An iPad and 2 iPad 2s as well. I have more than 1000 shares of AAPL, bought my first shares in 1990. And no, my credentials are not a PhD in econ, I am an Engineer. You seem to get all upset about any criticism of Apple? What is your history with Apple products? Lighten up son, life is short.

        Reply

    4. (Hey MDN…. why don’t you post your “Related articles” with this one, i KNOW you reported on this before)

      http://royal.pingdom.com/2011/04/20/ipad-used-more-than-linux-computers/

      or MDN’s related article…

      Apple’s iOS – on iPad only! – passes Linux in U.S. operating system use

      iPad does in fact beat Linux like KenC thought.
      Answer me this HughB…. how long has Linux been around to get that oh so impressive .71% web usage rate? 14 months for JUST the iPad to surpass that.

      Note the article says 2.1% web usage in the US alone. the linked article above says 1.18% at least 2 months ago… almost a percent increase in that time. oh wait… the iPad 2 is now included in the results…

      Reply

  4. I’m glad the term “bloodbath” is being used. With the iPod, it was blood on the click wheel. Then on the iPhone, blood on the touch screen. Somehow, “blood on the pad” didn’t sound quite right.

    Seriously though, these numbers are very significant, especially given that they’re growing rapidly. On the servers I manage, the numbers are even higher (because the audience base skews towards the more progressive).

    Also very significant is that while “web browsing” may count for the vast majority of engagements via notebooks and desktops, for mobile devices, apps may be more dominate. So while the iPad may count for 2.1% domestic web browsing engagements, the app engagements make the total number of engagements much higher.

    Reply

  5. “It has invented, created, a new niche, a new product line, in computing,” Worstall reports. “We can see the effects of the shipments on the bottom line of Apple: and the reflection in Apple’s share price.”

    We can all see the reflection in the share price? What’s this guy smoking? I wish we were seeing a reflection in the share price.

    Reply

    1. Finally inching back up. At least I’m above water by a fair amount. Bought and sold AAPL many times in the last 5-6 years. If I had only bought it at $7 back in 03! Earnings and the new iPhone,Air,iPod (I don’t see a new iPad)and iMac should make it touch $400 before long. But be ready earnings day. Have your computers all set for after hours because that’s when you make your money. In less than a minute. “And with that, he was gone.”

      Reply

    2. AAPL has been relatively flat this quarter, Pocketrash, primarily because of the recent NASDAQ 100’s rebalancing/reweighting requirement and its effect on major funds relying on that specific group of equities. With that many huge indices having to divest themselves of AAPL holdings (relatively speaking), there was nowhere for the equity to go but sideways and a little down.

      That rebalancing is now, essentially, over . . . hence the solid run-up of the past half-dozen or so trading days. Besides, have you taken a close look at GOOG, MSFT, NOK, RIMM, et al., lately? The entire tech sector has been stressed this past quarter, and AAPL has done relatively well during the period.

      Just hang on until July 19. Your patience will be rewarded.

      Reply

  6. I thought that the Microsoft Kinect is supposed to be the most successful tech product ever made. I’d heard they sold millions of them the first month or something and it was projected that there’d be 50 million sold by the end of the year. One for every XBox 360 ever made. I’m fairly certain Ballmer was laughing about the Kinect outselling the iPad by a huge margin. Maybe I’m wrong, but there was some big to-do about that.

    Reply

    2. kinect sells for around $150
      iPad is around $500-800
      (sure Ballmer laughing? when one iPad = the profits of many Kinects?)

      in March 2011 after the heavy Christmas season Msft says they have sold 10 million Kinects
      (Apple has been selling iPhones much longer but in March as well Apple said they’ve so far sold 100 million iPhones)
      The ‘most successful product’ thing you are referring to is that the Kinect had fastest initial sell rate (which is not very particularly meaningful as they already had an established market of Xbox users. It’s more like an upgrade. Is that rate sustainable? Will the Kinect outsell the iPhone or iPod which sold hundreds of millions long term? )

      Reply

    4. The kinect launched into the Xmas shopping season. Of course, that goosed sales. Imagine if apple had launched the iPad after thanksgiving instead of when they did? Okay, imagine if they dud that and had no supply issues.

      Reply

  8. It’s not just the “Year of iPad 2.” This is going to be the DECADE of tablet computing, with iPad at over 80% of “tablet computing.”

    Overall, I think we will see something similar to the rise of laptop (versus desktop) computers. Desktop computers are still doing well (and they are not going away) because they have their advantages, but the majority of personal computers sold in 2010 were laptop computers.

    In 2020, I think the majority of personal computing devices sold will be tablets (NOT including very powerful phone-sized “mini-tablet” devices). But laptop and desktop computers will still be doing around, because there will always be a need for larger screens, maximum horsepower, and precise/repetitive input. Tablets will not become huge screen devices.

    Reply

    1. @Ken1w
      “Tablets will not become huge screen devices.”

      I don’t know what your definition of “huge” is, but I do think we will see desktop sized screens and information monitor/TV sized screens for tablet devices.

      Some examples would be a large iPad laying flat on a drafting table or on a stand/easel for an artist.

      Wacom tablet sized tablets for drawing and whatever, would be a further example.

      Interactive displays in medicine, law and sales, to name a few more. This could lead to a tablet explosion way beyond the current thinking of most people.

      The iOS and OSX would become merged software, so they would be able to handle anything an imac could handle in a more convenient format.

      Take a wild guess as to the name of the company that will be leading the pack in this worldwide tablet explosion. It starts with A.

      Reply

    1. They use them in medlab on Babylon 5 too, although the DS9 people are probably using Android, bearing in mind they themselves are a pale copy of an original idea 😉

      Reply

      1. i’m trying to imagine if i know people like this ( mr/ms cubert) who have or take the time to make entries about differences that really don’t amount to a hill of beans (as my granpa used to say). seems it’s less about creativity and more about an ocd with too much time on their hands.

        Reply

    2. Why should you buy one? Haven’t got a clue.

      All I know is that I was able to borrow one from work for a weekend – and liked using it so much that I immediately bought one for myself.

      Try using one for awhile – then you’ll understand.

      Reply

      1. No doubt that I would buy one if it was a bit open (usb for external equipments) I guess like my iPod, I would change it if it had a better camera. Guess I will wait for iPad3 and iOS5..

        Reply

        1. What is this “usb for external equipments” you speak of? Is it something to do with DVD or 8 track? Farewell Troll I’m off to the cloud…

        2. no need to be rude. Jean is asking a sincere question. And this is not a matter of “to Mac or not to Mac.” It’s a matter of WHICH Mac; Jean has been very happy with the choices Apple has offered over the years, and will be very happy with the Pad too in time. No need for name-calling.

        3. actually it does have USB communication capabilities, for things you would actually want to do (check out the iPad camera connection package)
          But the port also functions for far more than a simple usb port, it also allows audio & digital video out and even device control and even functions as a keyboard/charging station connector.
          see examples on the iPad site (http://www.apple.com/ipad/accessories/)

          There is even SW (in SDK) that allows developers to address the communications port for specific and specialized interfaces for custom (or generic) hardware.

          So in response to what I have to assume you though was a “clever troll” Apple would have had to line the sides the device with an array of confusing connectors to provide the functionality they do in just one.
          It’s simple, it’s brilliant….
          “It just works”

        4. what the hell do you NEED a USB port for on an iPad?

          seriously, i DO want to know….
          storage? you have storage options if you actually researched.

        6. WTF does “country” have to do with anything USB?…

          and again…. state an actual USE for USB… not your crying that it doesn’t have one.
          I do see those USB powered mini fridges.. but Do you really need one with an iPad?

    3. If you enjoy using the iPod touch you will be enthralled with your iPad 2. I really enjoy the iPod Touch I used it for everything. The real limitation for me was that if I wanted to do a lot of reading the small sized screen and print were difficult to deal with.

      The Ipad’s larger screen makes reading much easier. There are many apps that offer a broader use of the screen than an iPod Touch/iPhone app. It is a much more personal device than a laptop. It has become substantially more useful than my computer or iPod Touch. Before I got the iPad, I didn’t fully appreciate the experience, even after trying iPad 1 a number of times at the Apple store.

      It is a remarkable device. You will have one sooner or later. How long you want to deny yourself the pleasure of owning one, is up to you.

      Let us know how you like it!

      Reply

  13. I’ve been following tablet computers for well over a decade. I had an interest, but Microsoft dominated that market. I find it fascinating that Apple is credited for creating the tablet computer market when it has existed for a long time.
    [Note: Windows based tablets were notoriously difficult and extremely expensive.]

    Reply

    2. Windows tablets were basically unworkable prototypes. There have also been specialized tablets (like the one’s the parcel delivery truck drivers carry)

      Apple did that too in it’s dark days under John Sculley (search or wiki “Knowledge Navigator”) which was an outgrowth of the the newton (the Newton MessagePads are likely the earliest “tablets” that sort of worked)

      However Apple’s was the first to ever build a tablet that “really worked” so yes they are credited with creating the tablet (and actually if you look at the newton and the iPad, MS really did nothing at all)

      Reply

      1. Agreed. The specialized ones will work because they run only one piece of software, so it’s not over reaching to get them to run flawlessly. Has anyone ever had a microwave’s program crash?

        Reply

    1. Just a FYI for anyone following that link….
      Since i used to jailbreak, no need anymore. I still follow the “Scene” from time to time.

      http://www.quickpwn.com/2011/07/ipad-2-jailbreak-leaked-do-not-download.html

      These guys are the real deal. the “leaked” jailbreak, was NOT ready yet. they are even wondering about malware/virus in the release.

      If it doesn’t come from Comex….. Turn away. (this jailbreak anyway)

      And if anyone is curious about jailbreaking, follow QuickPwn. these guys do NOT make the jailbreaks, but they are on top of the whole scene. they are always reporting on the fake jailbreaks and such.

      and BTW… since this wasn’t legit, follow through the links. Redmond pie have already said BOTH of the leaked PDF’s have been pulled now.

      Proving once again, this wasn’t legit… or that Comex kicked this guys ass.

      Reply

  16. But, but, but, RIM and Google make great products !!! Android and Blackberry devices support flash !!! Hundreds of thousands of devices were shipped !!! IOS is a passing fad, it will never take off!!!

    Reply

    1. Yeah, just wait about a year, then all the Fandroids will be shouting that Apple’s iPad is copying Android. You know, just like the iPhone is copying right now. RETARDED Fandroids.

      Reply

  17. You just have to go to the Apple Store and try one out. Then go to all the other retailers that carries the wannabe clones. Then you’ll understand why the iPad is ushering the new era of portable computing. Apple is making the stuff from SciFi movies like 2001/Star Trek a reality for all of us. Sweet!

    Reply

  18. Went to a seaside party last night, chardonnay and chamber music setting. Brought my iPad2 along to show off recent diving videos. Before I knew it, everyone was passing it around, saying things like, “I’m getting one.” “Me too.”

    It’s a conversation starter like no other.

    Reply

    1. I have had the same reaction.
      always starts out with “you bought an iPad?” and almost laughing at me for spending that much money on a “toy”

      99% of the time ends in “i want one” or “I’m getting one”

      My brother in law is pretty much the only one that does not like it. but he hates his new BlackBerry Storm that his company forced down his throat. He want’s his Curve back, which he had to replace like 4 times in the last few years…
      Something about touch screens and him, just don’t mix.

      Reply

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