iPad: An unlikely user

Following the release of the iPad last year, there was a fair amount of skepticism regarding its target market. Who would buy an iPad? What would they use it for? Is it worth the money?

I saw the iPad as an item that would be ‘nice to have’ but not something that ‘I need to have’. I’ve got my laptop, why would I or anyone else need another substitute of one (and an expensive one at that)? At the time, I assumed only the diehard Apple fans would buy into it.

Fast forward 6 months later; and I have discovered quite a different outcome…

Let me introduce my mum, your stereotypical technophobe. She only recently got her head around mobile phones and the concept of text messaging, so using computers and the Internet were out of the question. She’s had an email account for years, but has never been able to access it, let alone, turn on the computer without the help of my brother. My mum, however, who used to point blank refuse to get online, is now a proud owner of an iPad. How did this happen?

Thinking about it, it starts to make sense; the iPad’s intuitive user interface and simple design, lends itself perfectly to the technophobe market.

“The iPad is fast, and just at a press of a button it’s on, none of this waiting around. If I get stuck I just press the same button and I am back to square one.” says my mum.

Getting stuck on the computer before used to be a commotion, requiring help from my now very irate brother. Likewise with the iPad, there are no login barriers; accessing your email/ Skype/ Facebook account is easily achieved at the push of an icon. It’s compact and portable design means it can be used anywhere in the house and fits perfectly into a handbag.

On the flip side to all this, my mum has now been introduced to the world of social networking and I am unable to escape her barrage of messages, comments and posts.

3 tips for the 55+ iPad user:

• Never underestimate the power of addictive games (especially Angry Birds).
• Don’t bother with the external keyboard, it will only mean having to carry extra gadgets around with you.
• If all else fails, push the main button!