IPad holds monopoly over still developing market

NEW YORK CITY – After its debut in March, Apple consumers may wonder whether or not the new iPad is worth the $499 to $829 cost.

The answer? It depends on whom you ask.

Former Apple employee and enthusiast Winston Hearn said he wants to make the switch in the future but that the current model is not yet worth the price.

"I want to buy one for my wife and my mom, but I'm going to wait for the second generation," said Hearn.

After its 28th day on the market, Apple announced that it sold one million iPads, beating the iPhone's record, which took 74 days to sell the same number.

According to a study by Yahoo.com, iPad users are 2-1 male and in the 34-44 range in age.

"The only people I know who use the iPad are my geek friends," Hearn said, explaining that he did not think it was a practical purchase for someone who already owned a working computer or iPhone.

According to Hearn, those "geeks" were either Apple consumers or employees who liked the 10-hour batter life, the compact size, the mostly inexpensive app prices, the speed and other various features.

However, those same users also reported that the word processing system, Notes, needed some work. The touch pad keyboard is smaller than a standard QWERTY board, and the printing app only works with most printers with wireless capabilities.

But despite some of its drawbacks, the iPad remains unrivaled in available technology.

While the world watches as Apple holds a monopoly with this new technology, other corporations are working on buying in on the market with their own comparable tablet systems—both hardware and software

The Wonderfactory, a marketing firm, and Woodwing Inc., a software company, are working together with various publications, such as TIME and Sports Illustrated, to develop and improve apps for the iPad.

Also Google is working on its Android system, which is comparable to the available tablet personal computers.

For now, however, the iPad continues to sell and develop their product while other companies, such as periodicals and newspapers work with Apple to develop apps.

"It's the only thing like it on the market, and we're working to develop its possibilities," said Joe McCambley, creative director of the Wonderfactory.

* http://www.thewonderfactory.com

* http://www.apple.com/ipad/