Opinion iPad: The silent entry
Indian geeks finally realised that 'iPad was available in stores across the country' from last Friday.
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The iPad is finally here. After all the anticipation,and frustration of having to buy the gadget from the grey market,Indian geeks finally realised that iPad was available in stores across the country from last Friday.
Why Apple chose to slip in its most popular creation is anybodys guess. My guess is that it didnt want to stir the hornets nest too much. Apple sold over 300,000 iPads being on the day of its official launch,and it didnt want to create a sort of hype that would see it unable to meet the demand in India. It already has over 90 per cent of the tablet market and smaller numbers from a new market wont actually hurt it. It will,however,be hurt if reports suggest its production facilities were unable to cope up with the demand from India.
On the flip side,it is likely that Apple realised after the launch of Samsungs Galaxy Tab that there is never going to be an US-like frenzy to own an iPad in India. India will always be a price sensitive market and anything priced above Rs 10,000 will find it hard to become the subject of a buying frenzy. For gadgets,India will always be a land of mass adulation,not mass consumption.
The other factor that will put off many buyers is connectivity. It is a great product for people who are within Wi-FI environments most of the time. Others will have to set up Wi-Fi in their home and be confined to it for their iPad needs unless you decide to get a cup of coffee or catch a plane.
Those who spend the extra bucks for the Wi-Fi + 3G version dont have much of an option as far as the latter is concerned. BSNL has announced a 3G data plan for the iPad,but no such news from MTNL which services the four metros. So,serious users will have to wait for one of the mobile biggies to launch a plan for them. But it is unlikely that an iPad will prompt them to expedite their 3G launch.
But within days of its launch,the market is already changing. While Samsung Tab,the only real challenger for the iPad as of now,has already cut its prices to Rs 28,000,MSI too has entered the ring with Indias first Windows tablet. The 10 MSI Windpad is loaded with features,but also comes with a starting price of Rs 34,990.
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