Early 2008, bump into me anywhere and no doubt my pockets would be full. I’ve had an unhealthy gadget obsession since my early teens, my pockets would contain an iPod of some sort, mobile phone, Flip video camera, notebook, and a point-and-shoot camera.
Late 2008 when I picked up an iPhone it made for light pockets. I’d leave everything else home and pick up my wallet and iPhone on the way. Nothing more, it replaced my iPod, notebook, mobile phone, and point-and-shoot camera.
The Point-and-Shoot Camera
Whilst the iPhone replaced a bunch of gadgets, the most important was my point-and-shoot camera. There was no need to carry it around as its only purpose was quick snapshots. For more serious work, I’d throw the DSLR and the Canon L lenses into a bag and bring them along with me.
Megapixel wise, the iPhone doesn’t stand a chance against any of the consumer choice in basic P&S cameras on the market – however in good lighting conditions it’s more than ample for anything from quick snapshots to basic action and portrait photography. Anything you’re going to be keeping in digital form only, or small sized prints.
The iPhone segregated the middle ground between camera phones of past and DSLR cameras. iPhone for everyday photography, a DSLR for more serious professional and enthusiast. It eliminated the middle ground and the widespread market for a point-and-shoot camera. They were simply no longer necessary.
The Laptop.
The iPad has had the same effect to the laptop as the iPhone, and camera phones in general did to the point-and-shoot camera. It removed the need of carrying/owning a laptop for most consumers who are simply consuming content and media on the go.
With the 3G iPad, and the Wi-Fi unit to some extent you’re able to complete most, if not all of the light tasks you do daily on your laptop. Access your email and the internet anywhere, take notes, write essays, presentations and spreadsheets, catch up on the latest news, play games, watch videos, play music, and more from the comfort of a 9.7″ LED screen with a battery no Apple laptop can match.
Whilst users who rely solely on a laptop and require all their projects and data with them at all times may find it difficult to have the iPad fill in the portable computing need and move to a desktop platform for the serious work, those just needing to perform basic tasks on the go may find the iPad removes the need to carry around a bulkier laptop.
For a good portion of the market the iPad has had the same segregation effect the iPhone had on the camera market. By removing the middle ground where a laptop sat, a good percentage of consumers should be able to get by without needing a laptop computer to go with their desktop machine.
All Bases Covered. iMac + iPad + iPhone
The iMac, iPad and iPhone combo appears rather attractive for users who need a good amount of power but doesn’t mind if they can’t do much content creation, only consumption on the go.
iMac for long computing sessions, editing and processor intensive work. The light and portable iPad sitting in its dock. Easy to pick up drop in a bag and take anywhere for emailing, reading, the internet and media consumption on the go, and the iPhone for everything else – an internet connected device which remains in the pocket at all times.