The iPad 2 launches in the U.S today (written on 4.20am GMT +8) and Asia and the rest of the world still has to wait. I stumbled upon a WSJ interview (video below) which talks about the impact of iPad 2 in Asia. It’s good and bad news.
Good: There would be increasing revenue for Samsung and Toshiba which make the memory chip for the iPad. Same goes to LG and Wintech which produce touchscreens for Apple. Bad: As the upgraded iPad launches, Asia based companies (ironically) like Samsung and LG, which also manufacture their own tablet products, would face rising competition. So far, none is able to challenge Apple on pricing. Apple is able to keep its price low because of its massive demand and the app store. The app store does provide Apple with a significant amount of revenue.
It isn’t just the big brands that are facing competition. Indonesia’s Picopad would also suffer as the current tablet doesn’t offer camera function. At a price of $520, most consumers would choose the iPad 2 over a Picopad. As Apple CEO Steve Jobs aptly described his counterparts, “While others have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.”
So, two more weeks before the iPad 2 finally launches in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and 23 other countries on 25 March. Hang on there.
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