iPad is like Segway
There are many analogies for iPad out there. Even I posted some already, likening it to Disneyland, Wal Mart or Swiss Army Knife. Admittedly, they are not all very positive but most likely because I am just jelaous ;-). And here is another one:
The closest thing I can compare it to is the Segway Personal Transporter. Remember that device? This is the two-wheel electric vehicle that uses gyroscope sensors to balance itself and sense which direction the driver is leaning. Even though it was originally introduced in 2001, it is still an engineering marvel.
For months, the Segway was hyped in the press. Inventor Dean Kamen introduced it onGood Morning America, claiming that it would revolutionize the way we live and work. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, was an enthusiastic investor. Steve Jobs even predicted that cities would be redesigned around the Segway and that it would prove to be more significant than the personal computer.
Nine years later? Not so much. It has had success in niche markets, like law enforcement, warehouse handling, and utility inspections. But, by and large, the device fell through the crack that exists between walking and driving. There are just not that many times when you need to go faster than your feet will carry you or slower than your car can take you.
