Steve Jobs stated yesterday that the iPad was a phenomenal success - more than they had ever dreamed - one phrase that was banded around was '2011 the year of the iPad 2′.
Does this mean that Apple will wait until next year for the iPad 3 ? We think yes. Apple has made a profitable habit of evolving their products, every year they get remodelled, re-designed, and improved.
The question we need to ask. Is the iPad 2 good enough to last a year or more? Apple's only real competition is itself - they continue to re-launch products but is this what their loyal customers really want?
Apple fans are happy when they see a product that is light years ahead of the competition - there’s no doubt that Apple could have made the iPad 2 better - and it would have probably made it even better - but costs would have been too much.
If we look into our crystal ball and think about their next major launch the iPhone 5, it seems less and less likely that the new iPhone 5 will come with same massive evolutionary step from the 3rd generation to the 4th generation.
Are Apple running out of ideas? An example are the new MacBook's nothing majorly different. Yeah it’s faster, but other than and a new port it wasn’t anything massively different – maybe they felt if it’s not broken don’t fix it – surely if its not broken don’t release it.
Is Apple bleeding dry their fanbase? Will the constant refreshing of their products finally catch them out? Only time will tell - one thing is for sure Apple's share price jumped sunstantially this morning. Shareholders are happy, but are their customers happy? Apple are walking a tightrope - all be it a profitable tightrope let just hope they don't hit a gust of wind. In essence is there any downfall from refreshing your products year in year out – even if it’s not a massive leap forward?
Let us know what you think of Apple’s strategy ? Are they going to be more successful or fall foul of complacency in the coming years?