This week Apple revealed that iPad sales have surpassed two million in less than 60 days since its launch on April 3rd. Until last week, it had only been available in the U.S. On Friday, the company began shipping units to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K.
Do you use an iPad for business? Let us know.
"Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
There are currently over 5,000 apps for the iPad, and the device will also support many of the 200,000 apps in the App Store. This is one reason why Apple itself pushes the iPad as a business tool (among other things). Apple has a page set up dedicated to illustrating the device's businesses uses. These include:
- Email, Calendar, and Contacts
- Securing data
- App platform
- Web browsing
- "Easy" configuration
- iWork for iPad
- Accessories
It turns out that businesses seem to agree with Apple in that the device is useful for business. Citrix ran a survey, asking about iPad adoption as a business tool. 84% said they'd support personal iPad use.
"The fact that IT can safely provide access to company apps, data and virtual desktops without managing the device will make the iPad a game changer for business beyond just the form factor and features," says Chris Fleck of Citrix. "This device will provide the leading example of how IT can keep control of the data, apps and compliance yet enable their users to maximize their choice and productivity from anywhere."
Some other noteworthy findings from the Citrix survey:
- 80% will purchase and use the iPad for business
- 84% of organizations will support personal iPads; 50% expect their organization to purchase for them
- Primary app to be used on the iPad are productivity apps with 87% response rate
- 90% of respondents will use iPad for business email, closely followed by the ability to view, edit and create presentations. Nearly 60% of respondents indicated that they will use iPad for online meetings and to access critical business information
- Largest benefits: 90% indicated increased mobility to work remote, at home, or anywhere, 74% indicated improved productivity and satisfaction
Apple will begin shipping the iPad to nine additional countries next month, and then even more later in the year. Meanwhile, the world awaits similar devices from competitors.
Market Research More Important Than EverGoogle Adds iPad Targeting for AdWordsSurvey Finds Most Marketers Interested In iPad OwnersConsumers Are Going Online More for ResearchLook for New Business Opportunities to Arise from iPad UseTime To Get With The Mobile ProgramOnline Research Driving Purchasing Decisions Facebook Continues to Become More Important for BusinessesSurvey Suggests Customer Reviews Good for BusinessResearch Doesn't Have to Break You
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Comments
iPad as a Business Tool
I now use my iPad as my travel computer for my business. Unlike my 15" laptop, the iPad fits (a bit snugly) in my purse, so I can carry it everywhere. So it's always handy to whip out for quick emailing, customer support, networking, blogging, writing, etc. I always use the 3G connection, so WiFi availability is never an issue. Also, compared to the iPhone, I appreciate the bigger iPad screen for things like Google Maps. (The iPhone screen is sometimes too small for me when I need to see a map! Also too small for doing much typing.) Overall, I love the iPad's usable but compact size, speed, and functionality for computing wherever I wander.
Some countries have a match
Some countries have a match program for retirement in place. This is a responsible approach and one that the younger generation must take seriously.
The iPad Rules!
I would like to say that I am the owner of the Apple iPad for almost two months now and it's simply incredible! I know that there are some downsides to it but it's still a very new device that has JUST come out.
The iPad is simply amazing for those that need to surf the web on the go. Plus, with the multitouch interaction, it makes browsing the internet so much easier and it's tons more fun when you're not confined to a laptop's dimensions.
I was initially going to purchase the Amazon Kindle, but opted for the iPad instead and haven't regretted it one bit.
Cheers,
Anthony
Not without flaws...
I've had an iPad since the first day it was released (I've also had a 10" HP tablet PC for about 5 years now, so it's not like Apple invented the wheel here)... but once I tried the iPhone, it became apparent the value of the app store... the iPad became an inevitable purchase, and it is great!
The main problems though, directly related to this article... the keyboard and lack of mouse support... these two things KILL the value for power users.
The keyboard is missing ALL the arrow keys, as well as the "Home" and "End" keys... if you do any typing at all on a computer, I shouldn't have to explain how BIG a problem this is... it slows typing down to a semi-crawl (unless you just sacrifice all your typos and fix them later on a full size computer)... either way, very lame.
Then there's the mouse support... I know it's a "Touch" device... but if you ever wanted to RemoteDekstop into your full size computer (and really get some work done at the beach!)... forget about it.
For example, you'll never be able to control Photoshop without a mouse... "touch" just doesn't cut it for video editing... and with the keyboard having a severe shortcoming in the 'arrow key' department... Apple's nifty iPad becomes quite crippled in the "business tool" department.
And yes, a friend has even jailbroken his device to try and get 'BTStack Mouse' support working through RDP... also looking for a better software keyboard... nothing works well enough to use (yet)... but it has only been two months since the hardware was released... high hopes!
The iPad is a killer media consumption device... but like many Apple products, the software is personally controlled by Steve Jobs himself (which includes his megalomania, political views, religious beliefs and his wealth putting him waaaay out of "touch" (ha, couldn't resist!) with the working class man on the ground).
That means they'll probably be selling us arrow keys in a software update, three years from now.
*sigh*
Not yet...
As a web site owner, I haven't purchased an iPad yet but it sounds like somemthing that might make my life a little easier. Thanks, Chris.
Apple's iPad
The resounding successes of the iPhone and iPad have Apple shareholders dancing in the streets, but one area in which Apple hasn't been as successful, however, has been business applications.
iPad for business in Japan
I stumbled over an interesting post regarding how some Japanese companies are using the iPad for business here:
http://mytechnews.info/b/2010/07/the-ipad-as-a-business-tool.html
Business tool! Get a clue
If you use one of these toys for business you really need to get a clue or your business isn't very important business. iPad's have zero security on their own - So, not a business tool. Sure add Exchange server with Active Sync and you almost have a business tool, you almost have security.
Using an iPad can be even
Using an iPad can be even more productive than a conventional laptop, as apps take seconds to start up and the screen can be maximized to the fullest, taking away the distractions of blinking icons while you work. It is also easier to pass around to a group of people than laptops - so yes, iPads are great business tools!
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