Apple delays iPad orders

Apple's marketing

Apple's marketing is awesome. They do this with every product.

a. Start the rumours months before (lots of speculation in the press).

b. Add fuel to the fire with possible unveiling date (press speculation gets to fever pitch).

c. Finally reveal the product way before anyone can buy it (press explode with rabit love for the product).

d. Then delay the launch "Because they are struggling to cope with demand." (yet more positive headlines, another product that is 'so much in demand').

Same old story, every product they release.

Hats off to them though, they play the game better than anyone.

By Grunthos on 29 Mar 2010

(Oops. That was supposed to be 'rabid' love, but actually 'rabit' love seems quite appropriate judging by some of the press response).

By Grunthos on 29 Mar 2010

What does pre-order mean?

When will the people who have ordered (rather than pre-ordered) the iPad get their hands on the device?

By BornOnTheCusp on 29 Mar 2010

I'm more curious to know

What people who are planning to or have ordered one, intend to use it for? Also once regular readers here do get hold of them I would be even more interested to know if it was able to be used as planned or where it's not lived up to expectation and perhaps where it's surpassed expectation.

By skarlock on 29 Mar 2010

Delays?

You mean exploding batteries, hardware problems and other things still not working - oh and the marketing machine showing signs of weakness?

By nicomo on 29 Mar 2010

@BornOnTheCusp
Glad it's not just me that this winds up. I asked a taxi driver the other day what 'pre-booked rides only' meant, he looked at me as if I was talking another language!

By SimonCorlett on 29 Mar 2010

Apple's marketing is like watching

an episode of "One Man and his Dog".

Watch those sheep move hither and thither and jump through (metaphorical) hoops.

The only element of tension is wondering if the sheep will ever start to think for themselves.

But of course, that never happens.

By Lacrobat on 29 Mar 2010

@Lacrobat, that's true, Apple-hating PC users seldom think for themselves before criticising Apple; it's just a knee-jerk reaction for them.

It must be so annoying to see the iPad being such a success. So annoying in fact that it isn't any longer a Tablet as it has been referred to for years, but a "slate" - just because Steve Ballmer said so.

Now, who's not thinking for themselves?

By SwissMac on 29 Mar 2010

Whether you like it or not, Apple's marketing is pretty good, that's why so many folk are champing at the bit! I wont buy one for myself, but I may buy one for my web addicted gf, who probably wont mind the lack of Flash but will LOVE the form and function. I suspect she wont be alone and immitators will appear. Neither of us have ever owned anything Apple, because apart from being pretty, they offered nothing more than the alternatives, but with this I suspect they may be onto something.

Agree with bornonthecusp tho!

By Mat1971 on 29 Mar 2010

@ SwissMac

"It must be so annoying to see the iPad being such a success."

Erm, have I missed something? Here's me thinking it hadn't even been released yet?? Success??

By everton2004 on 29 Mar 2010

everton, yes, you've missed something.

By SwissMac on 29 Mar 2010

@everton2004

Don't worry, clearly I missed something too, they must give them to fanboys like SwissMac early!

*ducks for cover*

Sorry SwissMac, couldn't resist.

By Grunthos on 29 Mar 2010

Couldn't have been a taxi!

If a 'taxi' is "advance bookings only" then it's not actually a taxi; its called private hire in this case. A taxi can be booked, but can also be hailed or taken from a taxi rank.

By BornOnTheCusp on 29 Mar 2010

Thanks

I will be sure to question him on the definition of taxi as well as pre-booked next time I see him! Though he did not have a taxi light just 'forest taxi's' sign written on the side of his car.

By SimonCorlett on 31 Mar 2010