2 million iPads sold in 2 month – Innovation Goes Mobile
Apple, the world’s most valuable technology company with a market value of $234 billion said it sold 2 million iPads since launching the touch-screen tablet in the United States nearly two months ago. In comparison, the iPod took 2 yrs to reach this milestone and 4 months for the iPhone.
The company may go on to sell up to 8 million iPads this year, according to Royal Bank of Canada. Apple has popularized a category of computer between Smartphone’s and a laptop’s, prompting competitors such as Dell Inc. to promise similar devices.
At the core of the iPad’s success is design-driven innovation, putting it’s user in the driver’s seat of one of the sexiest products ever designed. Take a product that has an accepted use, a common set of features, and provide something new and turn the traditional meaning of the product on its head.
The current leading iPad apps are taking this strategy into account and following the same path.
A few of our favorite examples include:
Pulse – A visual news reader that takes up to 20 news sources and creates a visual mosaic around them.
Alice in Wonderland – The classic story comes to life in the interactive storybook and clearly shows how the publishing world is using technology to innovate.
Star Walk – A handheld planetarium. The app shows you a glorified starfield based on your exact location as well as how the sky above you changes over time.
Weather HD – One of those apps that needs to be seen to enjoy the full effect. Weather HD is the most beautiful way to check the weather no matter where you are in full HD video. (This will be the app you’ll want to show off to your friends.)
Last but not least, the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference 2010 is due to start in next six days where Apple is expected to announce the next generation iPhone 4G along with iPhone OS 4.0 update release. Apple is also set to start shipping the iPad to nine more countries in July, including Mexico, Austria and Ireland. Pricing for these markets will be announced later.
To effectively stand out, brands, developers and organizations need to understand the result of focusing on innovation through the development of their app strategy. As more an more unique apps are approved, user expectations are increased which is both offers both a huge opportunity and a challenge to upcoming apps.
