“Because it’s a game changer!”. Yes I know, Apple’s 50th so far this year. “It’s the forth screen”. Yeah, but it’s not the first tablet to be released. Just admit it people, “it’s Apple!”.
I don’t know about you but I just received my 553rd email newsletter about the iPad, and it wasn’t from Apple. Nope. In fact, I’ve only received one iPad related email from Apple and the rest were from everyone else on the planet looking for some easy pick up (like me). This is a rather non-related post for VidCompare but I felt the need to make a few points about the almighty iPad and the hype-machine we call Apple.
It’s amazing to me the power of this company. They’ve convinced the world, even luddite soccer moms/dads (not that all soccer moms/dads are non-technical…my kids play soccer), that they need their products. And they’ve convinced the entire outspoken planet that they need to promote their products. Honestly, in my little sector alone (online video) I’ve received, seen, and read iPad propaganda from everyone in the space who has a voice ranging from FierceOnlineVideo to NewTeeVee. In fact, just five minutes ago I got another email from VideoNuze entitled, “Revisiting the iPads Impact on Video” just in case the first visit wasn’t enough (actually a darn good read). The point is, yes Apple makes incredibly shiny and exciting products for the whole world to enjoy with their super slick UI (user interface) and neato apps, but do we really need them? Well, if you’re a gadget whore like myself then the answer is undoubtedly a resounding YES! Just ask my wife how I justify buying these products, you will laugh at the extent to which I go to convince myself and others that these are indeed life-necessary purchases. Oh and BTW, half of TechCrunch’s posts yesterday were about the iPad. HALF! And I’m sure today’s will be as well….just look at the TechCrunch homepage right now. Yes TechCrunch, Steve Jobs loves you but is probably not in the slightest grateful.
My second point is this, why is everyone flocking to pre-order online or standing in line to buy version one of Apple anything? For posterity I guess. I can hear the conversation play out in 40 years, “I have the very first iPad ever made”, as it sits on the top shelf of a closet having not been used in 39 years.
You know as well as I do that anything “Apple v.1” will lack some of the most important features, will have fixes galore in the form of software updates every other day, and will become antiquated within a year by its v.2 version (the following summer if not sooner). I agree with James McQuivy on this one, and no Pouge, he’s not a loser. Actually, this is the stance I take with every Apple life-changing product…I wait for version two or three allowing Apple to get the kinks out or, rather, allowing them to sell a boatload of ill-equipped product on hype alone then release the full versions later.
Hey, I love Apple’s products just us much as the next guy and I will ALWAYS buy them…no ifs, ands, or buts. I just wanted some iPad luvin (there, I said it).
iHype.
Today VMIX announced that they’ve replaced long-time CEO Mike Glickenhaus, with new to Online Video, Patrick Burns. On the surface, the hiring of Burns to VMIX sounds similar to why Ooyala brought on Fulcher; to lead the company into new waters, to expand internationally, and to use their industry contacts to better position the company in an ever changing environment. But in an interview with FierceOnlineVideo’s Jim O’Neill, Burns suggests the board was losing faith in Glickenhaus stating, “…there won’t be something that presents itself that the CEO won’t be prepared to deal with. That’s the real hard truth.”
I start my day like many others who enjoy and occasionally write about Online Video, reading. There are a select few writers I read every day who in my opinion cover the space best, this post is dedicated to them. Why? Because they educate readers like you and me from their vast experience in and knowledge of the online video world.
