The iPad: Platform or Toy?

Is the iPad a platform or a toy?




















Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Here's the definition of a platform (loosely, according to me): something engaging we have to or willingly use on a daily basis.

Here's the definition of a toy (again, according to me): something that we grow bored of relatively quickly.

For example, the Nintendo 3DS just recently came out. It sold well, but not great. Most of the casual/mobile market is now in the hands of iPhones/iTouches, http://tinyurl.com/4xmy82d (these are platforms, after all, people use them on a daily basis). People will probably get bored of the 3DS since it will most likely not engage them on a daily basis, hence, the 3DS is a toy.

But what about the iPad? Is it a platform or a toy?

I believe it is a platform for the following reasons:

1. PC purchases are decreasing. Does this mean that people need any less access to their information? No. They're just getting their info from other venues: smart phones and tablet PCs (iPod Touches included).

http://tinyurl.com/3cvlzq3

2. People are beginning to spend more time on tablet PCs than on traditional computers.

http://tinyurl.com/3d82wyn

3. Tablet PCs are speculated to hit 208 million units by 2014.

http://tinyurl.com/4mx4gvv

4. And it appears that Apple will be leading the fray in terms of tablet PCs - at least for the next five years.

http://tinyurl.com/3sob9sb

Bottom line: people aren't interested in computing, they're interested in information, and in this regard, there's a new platform in town, at least until sixth sense technology is refined: smartphones and tablet PCs (namely the iPad for the next five years).