You NEED an iPad, you just don’t know it yet.

marketing and business,tech news & insight — Tags: , , , — ramseymohsen @ Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 - 1:04 am

I’ve blogged about it before, I was just as disappointed as you were when the iPad was announced. I realized that this device might not be for the techy-geek-heads of the world. However, when the iPad is released this Saturday, a lot of heads will turn once people really start thinking about how a device like this might be integrated into our every day routines.

What I mean to say is the iPad product launch will propel the socialization of a tablet computer to critical mass.

Keep in mind, there are other tablets, besides the iPad, that will be released soon. HP, MSI, Asus and the JooJoo (which looks awesome) are a few of the many companies that will be launching tablet computers.

Conceptually, it’s hard for the common person to understand why they would need one. It seems excessive, and a more of a luxury. This is because the device sits in that unfamiliar middle ground of it’s “not a phone” but it’s not your “computer”, but it’s supposed to be everything in between (which is even hard to think about). However, the tablet computer could be the perfect device between an eReader and laptop.

I believe that these tablet computers will create a need for consumers that wasn’t there before. You don’t think you need it- until it’s illustrated exactly how you need to have this device in your life (take for instance what “tone up” shoes have done for the shoe industry, it’s created an entirely new niche market).

I’ve blogged before that there are many practical uses for this type of device we have yet to discover that would make our lives easier. Take for example; graphic designers showing their portfolio at a coffee shop meeting, real-estate agents working with clients using it to show photos and their properties, photographers showcasing their portfolios, or people who need to give a 1-on-1 presentations at table in casual settings. Recently, after watching the guided tours of the iPad, I thought of the idea of using a tablet computer propped up, to run photo slide shows at a wedding guest sign-in table. How cool would that be?

My main point about the iPad product launch, is that this will be the event that thrusts the introduction and socialization of this type of device to critical mass. For some people, when they see this device, there will be moments in which they say things like, “i never thought about that, i could really benefit from using one of these”. Make no mistake, it will take time for this process to occur and it’ll require some great marketing to illustrate to others why they need this device.

Personally, I can’t wait to physically hold it- touch it- and use the iPad, I want to put it through my own tests. And for the record, I would still camp out for this device. I want one.

What do you think? What was your reaction to the iPad? Do you want to buy a tablet computer? Tell me your thoughts.

I want to wait 10 hours in line …again.

marketing and business,tech news & insight,Video Blog — Tags: , , , — ramseymohsen @ Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 - 1:51 am

If you don’t think I’m a geek (already), you will after you get done reading this blog post.

Back, in July of 2008, I was 1 of the few crazy people who waited over 10+ hours to get the 3G iPhone. I even video blogged it and took photos.

Several people have asked me, was it worth it? (i was interviewed on Fox and NBC and was asked this same question). What are my thoughts now?

I would do it again.

When I tell people what I did- it sounds 100% crazy: 10 hours of waiting in line overnight, outside, I took a 1-hour nap on the concrete sidewalk, with only 1 Starbucks donut and Frap to eat and drink. All this, just to be 1 of the first people to buy a new phone.

But I’m telling you, I’d do it all over again. And like Scoble, yes, I am a fanboi too.

Many blogs are quoting Steve Jobs in saying this new tablet (still unconfirmed) release is, “the most important thing I’ve ever done.” Considering his achievements, that’s a powerful quote. The release of this product has taken years in the making- which I’ve followed closely.

Will I camp out when it goes on sale?

I want to. Half the excitement from a major release like this is the people you meet. There’s only a select few who are dedicated and passionate enough to do this. It’s completely idiotic and wonderful in every respect. The experience of the camp out is worth it- and the privileged of getting to use first whatever this device might be- I want to be apart of it.

PLEASE NOTE: once a release date is set, I’ll formalize my offer in a blog post that is open to anyone: the open proposal for sponsorship of my camp out at the low cost of whatever the device selling price is. This will be in exchange for the rights to a video blog and photos from the camp out experience (the sponsor gets full rights to the video and photos I take, more details later). Furthermore, I’ll wear t-shirts / hats / signs or whatever swag you’d like during my camp out. Heck, I’ll setup a tent with your logo on it if you want. I’m open to ideas. Drop me an email if you’re interested (email@ramseymohsen.com), I’ll be posting details later.

You might think I’m going out on a limb here- I am.

Some of you follow me on Twitter, my tweet explains my thoughts and expectations for this week’s rumored Apple tablet launch:

So now we all wait till Wednesday …and I’m totally pumped for it. Do you think I’m crazy? Tell me all your thoughts good AND bad in the comments.



(c) 2012 Ramsey Mohsen