What's I pad ?

The iPad effect

Do you know what else is important about this third iPad release? It's drawing more attention to and creating more pent-up demand for tablets than ever before. This is known as the iPad effect. Right now, there's only one real alternative-Android-but the event horizon for Windows 8 is only six months away.
In fact, if the numbers IDC recently reforecast regarding worldwide tablet sales are to be believed, the iPad effect is very real. Android tablet market share is already approaching the 50 per cent mark.
Even if the Apple side of the equation is being underestimated, this is still a surprising figure.
Earlier this week, I experienced the iPad effect first hand. My friend John, who just opened a bike shop on downtown San Francisco's main drag, Market Street, called me on Tuesday to talk tablets. The new iPad release was creating a trickle-down opportunity for him and his small business.
"I have an opportunity to buy an old iPad for cheap," he told me. "Should I do it?"
I asked John what he would use a tablet for. Nothing fancy, but more work than play. At that point, I realised that because John already had an Android smartphone, it might make more sense for him to use an Android tablet. His familiarity and the fact that all the apps he'd already purchased would be immediately available made sense to me.

I ended up recommending as much. John got his hands on an Acer Iconia A500 and is now a happy guy. Chances are this tablet will lead to 2-3 others that will eventually be hard- and soft-mounted all over Market Street Cycles.
The point here is that all the attention the iPad is drawing will be more and more beneficial for Android tablet manufacturers. The big question is whether or not it will be too late for Windows 8 tablets to make any kind of splash.
Given the growth projections-IDC is talking about almost 200 million tablets being sold by 2016-it seems like there will be ample opportunity. And who knows? Maybe Microsoft will be able to create its very own Windows effect for tablets.