News & views
Blog /
12 February 2010/
iThink, therefore iPad
by Avik Chattopadhyay at 8:36 am 12 February 2010
Filed under: Art, Branding, Luxury
Why is there all this fuss about the new Apple iPad?
It isn’t the first of its kind in the world. Microsoft, Panasonic, HP, Fujitsu and a few others have all done it before. Fujitsu even has a hand held device also called the iPAD!
Apple’s iPad doesn’t have earth-shattering features. It may not be particularly user friendly and the after-sales service may leave a lot to be desired.
So what is all the noise about?
It is the ‘thought’ behind everything Apple does. Every Apple creation has been more than just a device. It’s about benefits as well as features. It’s about the strength of human alignment directly proportional to the length of ownership and experience.
Another simpler way of putting it is that every Apple creation is about the Apple brand. The power within the Apple brand lies in its intuitive ability to gradually build a unique bond with its owner. Not only do you not mind the electronic intrusion into your life you positively adore it. This is branding in its most supreme form.
Interestingly every Apple experience has been designed around the core of Zen Buddhist theology. Steve Jobs is a Zen Buddhist since 1975. He practises it not only in his own life but also in his creations.
These are the definitive, deliberate manifestations which are seen in the Apple brand. They show how the greatest brands can be a powerful manifestation of the human condition.
[...] It isn’t the first of its kind. Microsoft, Panasonic, HP, Fujitsu and others have all done it before. Fujitsu even has a hand held device also called iPAD! Read more… [...]
Comment by Saffron Brand Consultants » Blog Archive » Why the fuss about the Apple iPad? — 2/12/2010 @ 8:41 am
Hi there, interesting post, I always thought that there is something more about the Apple products than the product its self. And there is a lot, as Ive said it is something magical.
I knew about Job’s 4 years endeavor in Tibet, before returning to Apple, but could you elaborate this idea: “Apple experience has been designed around the core of Zen Buddhist theology”. Sounds very interesting but what were you really underlining?
My point of view was that Jobs got there and it was thought about wise thinking and how to access ancestral energy & knowledge in order to reach some higher targets (short story). And that’s applied to Apple’s vision, that’s not about the product but about how they impact on humans and not simple buyers, as some brands consider us.
Oh, and there is something more, I know other brands did this kind of product, like iPad, but there’s no other company that has perfect balance between form, function and aesthetic. Every Apple product is simply heavenly made.
Comment by Dragos — 2/17/2010 @ 2:05 pm
I have to step in here and say it is sooooo sexy I want one!
Who cares if others have ‘tried’ this before. I never noticed.
I want this and I will use it to show off my art
PS. I love your ideas at SBC.
Comment by Reece Blackhurst — 2/25/2010 @ 7:13 pm
“Interestingly[,] every Apple experience has been designed around the core of Zen Buddhist theology”
It would be useful if you could explain this more. I don’t understand any correlation.
Comment by Millie — 2/26/2010 @ 1:31 am
Apple’s has never been about being the first in the market. The iPod came a long time after the first digital music player; same for the iPhone and iPad etc. Further to that, most competitors products are richer in features (battery life, connectivity, etc).
But that’s not what the success of Apple’s products is based on. It’s about the ecosystem (music/movie/book/app store) around the product which creates a user experience which is far superior to others. And I think this is what the user bonds to Apple.
Comment by Ralph — 3/18/2010 @ 2:26 pm
iPad is not the first nor the last in its products range but lets be honest, since Apple started producing the “iFriends” products, it completely changed the way we look at things for instance the iMac, the first all-in-one desktop computer, now that is genius not because of its form but simply because of the idea of it, same for iPod and iPhone.
Apples customer already know that each Apple’s product has its own unique recipe, an idea that apple has delivered to audience and placed it in the back of their minds without even thinking about it, you don’t really buy an iPad cause you need it! you just buy it cause you want one.
Comment by Fahad Shehadat — 4/8/2010 @ 10:19 am
As I understand Apple – it touches the human need for religious aesthetic while being a rationally useful device. If you look at chapels, churches and any religious building, they draw their power around symmetry and simplicity. It is not about the size, it is about these structures, which cover needs in a logical way. Apple is just religion. Apple will survive us and we will worship. On a macroscopic level it will be interesting, how Apple will be able to overcome rigidity. By good idea, I hope.
Comment by Simon Freiherr Heereman — 4/16/2010 @ 9:34 pm
Steve’s my hero!
Comment by iPadMark — 4/23/2010 @ 2:00 pm
So Avik, no further explanations about Apple designing after zen Buddhist theology?
There are two requests now…
Comment by Dragos — 4/27/2010 @ 3:24 pm
I MUST get one of these!!
Comment by Adler Chalk — 7/24/2010 @ 3:40 am