I see how today Bill Gates has said that he doesn’t really like the iPad. Big surprise, and I’m sure he’s unbiased and being totally honest.
The truth is, we have a lot of devices in our life now, most of them purchased from Apple. When they come out with another device we’re just not going to be as excited for it. But the thing is, the iPad as a form factor is a game changer. It’s going to change the way we live our lives and interact with computers. No, it won’t replace computers at all, it will add to our lives in different ways than computers do.
For instance when you are watching TV your iPad will be right there and you can look stuff up related to what you are watching. When you are on a plane you will be able to do all sorts of useful things without lugging a laptop around. I’m going to put the charger next to my bed and use the iPad as an alarm clock. The iPad fits in anywhere. Unlike a laptop, it’s natural place is near you which actually makes it more convenient than even the iPhone who’s natural place is in your pocket.
The iPad will be a sleeper at first, but then people will realize that it’s useful in almost all aspects of their lives and people will buy it not because it’s neat, but because they actually feel it will help them in their life.
As usual, Bill Gates can’t see this, it requires a little bit of vision and some understanding of actual human beings.