I don't know whether the name endears it to women or just makes them think that they didn't get asked to the marketing team's focus groups, but it has certainly made it get some female attention, outside the crowd of Apple fangirls.
Why do I think this is going to be a good women's gadget? Let me give five reasons:
1. This is a sexy gadget. We were a bit non-plussed by the photos, I mean, we've seen that design somewhere before (ie on the iPhone, the iPod..) but it is a nice one and feedback from the hands-on confirm that this is a pleasure to hold and use. "Leo Laporte just said that it's an incredible device when you actually get your hands on it... beautiful, light, incredibly responsive screen." reports someone on FriendFeed. It's not just women who like a bit of intuitive tactility, but women do like it.
2. Focus on Books not Gaming: I hold my hands up here, I'm sure many women game more than they read novels, but *in general* lets say more women read books than men, and fewer women play games than men. You can game on the iPad sure, but with a 1ghz chip it's not going to be a rollercoaster ride. You'd stick to a more powerful computer or console for the big games. The iBook store is a big part of the iPad and magazines and newspapers are doing deals to have iPad-friendly editions loaded onto the device.
3. The iPad won't fit in your pocket - but it will fit in your handbag. Until men fully adopt the concept of manbags, they're going to find carrying the iPad around to be a bit of a hassle. For the average woman, it can just replace the 2 books and 1 magazine that they usually carry around, all the time. Interviewed on CrunchTV last night, MG Siegler said the first accessory he wanted for his iPad was iPants (pants in the American sense ie trousers). Until someone invents trousers with an iPad pocket (yes they'll look dodgy) men are going to find this less easy to carry around.
4.This has a lot of lifestyle gadgets on board: the calendar looks great. That's the sort of thing that's going to be pretty helpful and intuitive to use. This means I won't have to lug a diary across town every morning.
5. Apps, this is going to be an app-centric device. Speaking generally I think women really apps, they like to be able to customise devices - the software as much as the case. I think that's what has made the iPhone a big hit among women and the iPad will have the same impact.
I have had my iPhone 10 days and I love it - it could very easily replace my Husband in fact. Do I feel the need to upgrade to a iPad - not so much; I lose the phone function - and its the only plus I can see - get a larger typing area. My iphone does everything at the moment - and its a phone (needless to say I mostly text and e-mail), calendar, music player and e-book, records voice, text and keeps me entertained - even provides neck massages (cough). Will the ipad take off - undoubtedly; but I will wait for the 3rd or 4th Gen before buying.
This article is offensive and disgusting. Thanks for buying into, and perpetuating, obnoxious stereotypes, so that women like myself can spend another few years fighting against them.
Yeah, implying that women carry purses and read books is both wrong and offensive. Don't be an idiot.
I must say, however, that after reading the title I almost expected it to tell me the iPad would give me cooking tips and tell me how to please my husband.
6. You can't watch flash-based porn or live cam4.com content on the Ipad.
Suzanne & chelsea.....omg
an innocent article like this and you jump and vomit all over it...I sense you ladies have got some big issues at home...
YES LADIES WEAR HANDBAGS!!!! and do you know why anyone can imply something like that? why dont you start a fucking poll!! I bet 99 out of 100 women carry a handbag, as opposed to 1 out of 100 men!!
no-one is talking about the weaker sex here, no-one is saying anything close to "women should stay in the kitchen/clean the house"
so stop whining!
and make me a sandwich