[PG-13]

The iPhone was huge because it was such a huge leap and unexpected departure from previous phones. It created awe and generated desire from the moment it was unveiled. It was obvious to those who get tech that the iPhone would be huge.

People who underestimated the iPhone are now overcompensating by being bullish on the iPad because they fail to understand that these are not the same thing. The unveiling of the iPad did not engender any of the feelings of awe that iPhone's did. Apple unveiled the worst tablet device they possibly could have. It was completely predictable. Every usage we've seen of the iPad has involved someone contorting his body to accommodate the device.

The iPhone offered a users things they didn't think were possible with a phone, and these were things they clearly wanted. The iPad offers users nothing they can't do using a laptop. It is an attempt at forcing a style of usage onto users that is clearly undesirable.

People will try to hype this thing and pretend they like it for as long as possible, but one can only sustain a lie for so long. This will be the end of the aura that Apple has been building for the past decade. It is clear as night and day.

[ZeroGravitas]

I don't know if it will be a hit or not, but I started becoming uncomfortable when the biggest touted "feature" in the keynote appeared to be the number of people's credit cards that Apple had on file. That didn't sound like a typical Steve "bicycle for the mind" Jobs thing to repeatedly dwell on. Certainly doesn't excite me as a gadget consumer.

[snom370]

I watched the keynote and can't say that I heard it repeatedly dwelled upon. Where was it mentioned?

[ZeroGravitas]

Screenshot of slide:

http://obamapacman.com/2010/01/official-steve-jobs-apple-ipa...

[snom370]

They mentioned it in one slide, did they mention it anywhere else? That was my point.

[stcredzero]

It was obvious to those who get tech that the iPhone would be huge.

There were a lot of people who claim to "get tech" who were not bullish on the iPhone.

People who underestimated the iPhone are now overcompensating by being bullish on the iPad because they fail to understand that these are not the same thing.

I knew from the first moment the iPhone was a potential game changer, yet I'm also bullish on the iPad. (In fact, I just got back from the store and I'm about to attempt my first sync in about 30 seconds.)

The iPad is the best example to date of a relatively new category: mobile ultra-light touch tablet. As it is now, it cannot replace a laptop. However, if you extrapolate what Apple did with the iPhone in 3 releases to what they will do with iPad, then it becomes obvious that they will be able to replace and better the use case for most netbooks by then.

People who now underestimate the iPad don't get it: It's the Ecosystem! That's the key point that makes the iPhone the best deal, and where Android is playing catchup. (And it appears to be doing a good job at it.) Right now the iPad can leverage the same ecosystem. That's a powerful combination that a lot of techies don't get.

[herval]

"It created awe and generated desire from the moment it was unveiled."

interestingy enough, I heard a lot of people saying the exact opposite: that the iphone was a flop, and on, and on. Actually, a lot of 'gurus' still say that kind of stuff today (specially a lot of high profile Nokia fanboys/evangelists)

[PG-13]

No, that's my whole point. People who didn't get the iPhone don't understand technology, even though they may claim to. You have to look at their records to judge whether they actually get it or not. If it wasn't obvious to you that the iPhone would be great, then your opinion on the iPad or other technology really has no value.