iPad Mini Release Disappointing
This article is about the launch of Apple’s new product: the iPad Mini. It has all the features of the iPad but scaled to a smaller size. The small size is intended to attract consumers who cannot afford the high price of the regular iPad. However, the price of the iPad Mini is still significantly more than the price of competing small-scale tablets, and it attracted unimpressive crowds on its release day. This disappointing start indicates that the iPad Mini may not be as big of a holiday must-have as Apple had hoped.
This relates to the idea of network effects discussed in class. Apple is a company who has always had a very large and strong fan base. These fans are loyal Apple customers whose enthusiasm for the products encourages others to purchase Apple. While this has been the case in past Apple releases, the iPad mini release only attracted the especially loyal customers, and the product was unable to convince others that it was worth the money. The iPad Mini is entering a market where there are already popular small tablets that people are swayed to purchase since so many others have already bought it and continue to buy it. It may take time for the iPad Mini to break through this market. It may start with a strong following among a small group of Apple fanatics, who will then spread their praises on the product and the number of users will grow. As the number of iPad Mini consumers grows, the network effect will change in its favor to further encourage others to buy the iPad Mini or switch from another small tablet. The idea of network effects supports the idea that although the iPad Mini did not have a good start, it is due to the fact it is entering an already crowded market and will take time to find a place among the network of consumers it is targeted toward.
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