iPad is here

So, did you get one? No, me neither as much as I covet one. I am waiting for iPAD 2.0 with camera and more memory. It launched well with 500,000 units minimum, which is kinda incredible and Jobs has built an amazing content platform that guarantees revenue through books, movies, TV shows and all manner of other aps. Quality content remains the key to success and the coming months will be fascinating as the major media and publishing players jostle for position and the wanna be iPADs launch - good luck launching one of those!

iPAD is coming...April 3rd

Today Apple announced that the first version of the iPad will go on sale Saturday, April 3 in the U.S., with other versions becoming available globally later in the month. The initial U.S. version, costing $499, can connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi networks, with later models available over wireless-phone networks (read AT&T!). You can preorder the iPad in the U.S. starting on March 12 or reserve the right to pick one up at an Apple store on April 3. Get ready for the media scrum, pictures of thousands standing in line through the night at Apple Stores. The best bet is simply preorder - I know I am. It is going to be fascinating once the device is actually out to see how this impacts content and print (see below!). Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble with their own iBook readers must be ready for a dramatic fall off in sales - I admit I haven't seen the actual iPAD, but Jobs hasn't missed a beat for years. (fair warning - I bought a Newton!)

The IPAD is here and it's beautiful

So long laptop, the iPAD is here and once again Steve Jobs and Apple have a game changer on their hands. Now, I admit that i am a MacHead and have been since 1989. Starting with an old Powerbook 165c through countless iterations of laptops and desktops (I even have a Newton!) Apple has produced "insanely great" computers for years. It still beggers belief why anyone would use a PC given the choice.

For the publishing business this is another opportunity and delivery mechanism on which high quality content can be viewed and easily transported - the 64 gig version of the iPAD will take every book most of us own with room to spare.

Only 60 days before the IPAD is in store - i for one will be waiting.

2009 was Custom Content's Best Year Ever

A great piece by Steve Smith in MinOnline about how custom continues it relentless rise up the media charts.

"That giant sucking sound you hear from your media budgets this year is probably the vacuuming of funds away from standard ad buys and toward custom publishing. Consumer and b2b magazines may have been on the ropes this year, but custom content had a record-setting 2009. You can read the whole piece here.