A humbling $29 "bumper" may be offered to fed-up iPhone owners, an ugly addition that will eliminate much of the "coolness" factor associated with the gizmo.
If secretive Steve is open to some non-iPhone questions, I would like to ask, "Where are all those iPads?" With typical bluster, Apple announced June 22 that it sold three million of the hugely hyped tablets, a mere 80 days after their U.S. launch. "People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives," said Steve Jobs in the release. "We're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month."
The only Apple magic: the old iPad disappearing trick. Or are they invisible?
Following the April 3 launch of the iPad, I did see a flurry of them while commuting to Manhattan or walking through Bryant Park during lunchtime. The novelty apparently has worn off. A person strolling -- more like weaving though -- the Manhattan streets of Soho, Tribeca, East Village, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Upper Westside today is bombarded with ads featuring the iPad. Those posters, a typical one is a guy scrolling down the New York Times via the iPad in his lap, are unavoidable. They are slapped on sides of bus shelters, kiosks and buildings everywhere.
There is a certain disconnect with the ads. None of the young people rushing down those streets seems to have time to relax with an iPad. iPhones are indeed ubiquitous. iPads are few and far between. My two daughters, aged 18 and 15, are huge fans of their Macs and iPods. Neither has expressed a desire for an iPad. They tell me the same applies to their friends. Where does the iPad "fit" in their daily lives? What's the point?
So Steve, where are those three million iPads?
Good luck getting to that four milion mark. Mainstream media are cheering for you. They count on iPad newspaper/magazine apps as the key to the future.
But in observing fellow morning commuters, I hope "old media" has "Plan B" ready to roll.