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Who’s afraid
of the iPad?
CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Contents
Introduction 3
Recommended reading 17
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Introduction
Even before Apple CEO Steve Jobs Each CEU consultant was asked to
officially announced the launch date of provide a few words on what they think
Apple’s iPad on 3 April 2010 there had might be the impact of the iPad on
been considerable debate as to how a their specialist area.
‘tweener’ tablet might impact business
and customer alike. The iPad went on sale in the US on
the 3 April and in its first month sold
Richard Sedley Would anyone buy something too big over 1 million units, 12 million apps
for a pocket, but not designed for a from the App Store and 1.5 million
desk? What could such a device be e-books. Higher than expected
used for? Could a reading slate be the sales led to the International release
saviour of publishing? date being delayed until late May
in order to meet the US demand.
During some of our recent client It looks like the iPad is likely to open
workshops we have been asked these, up a market space in exactly the same
and other, questions about what the way as both the iPod and iPhone
iPad might indicate for how customer have done, so our question to you is:
engagement is changing. So we thought “could the iPad offer you a business
we’d collectively share our thoughts. opportunity?”
Richard Sedley
cScape Customer Engagement Director
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Dr Dave Chaffey
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Hugh Gage
The question around the iPad’s impact which has no problem accepting
on web analytics perhaps arises from cookies.
the ‘mobile issue’.
There is of course still the issue of
Traditionally mobile poses a problem tracking apps, but this is an issue that is
to web analytics because of the ‘cookie already faced with the iPhone so really
issue’ with many mobile browsers not in this case, what’s good for the goose
Hugh Gage accepting cookies and with cookies still is good for the gander.
being the mainstay of accurate data
collection in web analytics. Hugh is a member of the cScape Customer
Engagement Unit and works as an
independent web analytics and usability
“...Apple’s Safari web browser which has consultant. He is also author of the Web
no problem accepting cookies.” Pro Analytics column in the UK’s .NET
magazine.
However, this is less of an issue for the
iPad for two reasons: Blog: www.engage-digital.com
Twitter: @hwjgage
Safa
1. The iPad isn’t really a mobile device
ri
in the same way that Netbooks aren’t
logo
really mobile devices but mobile
phones [obviously] are.
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Amanda Davie
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
< Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt has made the Mac. It has the speed and the rich
it clear that the technology giant visuals of the Mac but it is a giant
will be prioritising their product and touch screen that glides at the swipe of
technology strategy for ‘first screen’ your finger, and with big, friendly app
technology moving forwards, in buttons on it.
order to capitalise on the larger and
faster growing web markets such So the big question is: if we start
as India, Africa and South America booting up our iPads on the train, bus
(where mobile phone adoption takes or in the car (preferably not when
precedence over personal computers). driving!) because the very mobile
screen size and bandwidth affords
us more time online, will our search
“...will what we learn in touch screen behaviour be similar to our PC or
environments modify how we engage Mac search behaviour i.e. via the
with screen-based environments... ?” web browser, or will be it be more
comparable to mobile phone search
behaviour i.e. via apps? Will one
It is therefore important for digital platform’s search behaviour cannibalise
planners to keep one-eye on the future the other? And what will this mean for
opportunities for brands on these new brands that rely so heavily on search
platforms. And if app search and app traffic volume to satisfy direct response,
consumption grows to be as prolific as sales and business targets? We shall
PC-based web search over the last ten wait and see!
years, Google, Microsoft and the other
search providers will want to capitalise Amanda is a member of the cScape
in terms of advertising revenue. Customer Engagement Unit and the
founder of Reform, an independent search
For those of you who have seen or business consultancy that builds practical
even touched one of the new iPads, it solutions for clients and agencies – from
is enough to melt the heart of the most SEO & PPC through to business planning,
sceptical of gadget geeks. I think the strategy, training and analysis.
experience is more akin to the iPhone
experience (and eighteen months in, Web: www.reformdigital.com
I am still a woman in love!) than to Twitter: @amandacdavie
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Lynda Rathbone
When I was asked to contribute to spans and quick click to actions. The
this piece, I had already been thinking iPad encourages browsing, reading and
about getting an iPad. Not for any good watching. Content on sites must be
reason, just because I wanted one. And made fit for purpose to really capture
this sums up what I think the impact the iPad crowd.
the iPad will have on what we do – at
least for the first year or so. Compatibility
Lynda Rathbone
I think it will be a great compliment to I’m guessing that most business types
our business use of the web. It will be will want to make their iPad and their
the add-on that’s cool and gadgety but laptop and their blackberry all work
won’t be a game-changer unless the together. And this is where I think
next version of the iPad really targets business use of the iPad will fall short,
the business market. And I’m basing not to mention that the iPad will likely
my opinion on articles and hearsay as not work with most office networks.
I’ve yet to use or even see one! Am I being short-sighted here? Most
reviews love the product and I’m
certainly keen to get one myself, but I
“It will be the add-on that’s cool and can’t see me using it for work – at least
gadgety but won’t be a game-changer not yet.
unless the next version of the iPad
Lynda is a member of the cScape
really targets the business market. .” Customer Engagement Unit and the
Managing Director of Four Square Media.
Fit for purpose
Web: www.foursquaremedia.net
The first reason I don’t see it having Email: Lynda@foursquaremedia.net
a huge impact is that what the iPad
does best, business don’t do much
of – which is rich(er) media. Things like
viewing video, audio and photos on the
iPad are great, as is reading online, but
business have steered away from this
behaviour on their website as content
has been created for short-attention
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Hugh Gage
What does this mean for site owners / Hugh is a member of the cScape Customer
marketers and e-businesses? Arguably Engagement Unit and works as an
not much at the moment, the iPad independent web analytics and usability
is just another device from which to consultant. He is also author of the Web
access the web and have a normal Pro Analytics column in the UK’s .NET
browsing experience. The issue must magazine.
surely lie in the extent to which the
iPad genuinely becomes a device Blog: www.engage-digital.com
for accessing the internet on the go, Twitter: @hwjgage
and here its size plays against it. The
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Anne Caborn
A new way of
touching audiences
We accept that screen-based web increasing importance of multi‑touch,
communication has changed the which allows us to do things like zoom
way audiences engage with content. in and zoom out. Those concerned with
This includes how images influence security issues are experimenting with
the way people navigate content on pressure sensitive authentication. Plus, a
screen, both positively (acting as touch screen facilitates a more direct
anchors for the eye) and negatively (and therefore, potentially, faster)
Anne Caborn (banner blindness). We recognise interface between thought and content,
that the visuality of the medium has without the interpolation of a track
encouraged us to scann and skim pad, mouse or stylus.
(eg the F Pattern) before we settle
down to consume or interact with We’re aware of the brain’s plasticity
words on a page, a form... and ability to change and reform neural
connections. For example, Braille
users apparently appropriate parts of
“...will what we learn in touch screen the brain used for sighted recognition.
environments modify how we engage (Interestingly, touch-screen developers
with screen-based environments... ?” are working with vibration to open up
their technology to Braille users.)
Now touch screen communication, Online content will have to meet the
as exemplified by the iPhone and challenges this new generation of
iPad, provoke another question. Will touch sensitive users present. For
our fingers play an increasing role in example, using dimensions to simulate
content assessment? More importantly, tactile surfaces?
will what we learn in touch screen
environments modify how we engage Ann is a member of the cScape
with screen-based environments per se? Customer Engagement Unit and
And, as importantly, what does it mean co-founder of CDA Ltd the content
for blind and partially sighted users? strategy and digital communications
consultancy.
Touch-screens are already provoking
new vocabularies and techniques. Early Web: www.cda.co.uk
adopters talk in terms of fine-tuning Blog: www.cdacontentlab.com
touch screen sensitivity and the Twitter: @annecaborn
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Mariam Mohajer-Rahbari
n e s U
i T u
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Dom Graveson
A significant opportunity
for publishers
The iPad is representative of the an asymmetric downturn and the
convergence of several technological awakening of their audience to the
and social developments that have compelling power of their own content
emerged over the past few years. (a significant move away from their
Technologically, we have seen the previous position as passive consumers
miniaturisation of what has been of news into a new role as creator,
traditionally home or office based journalist and activist).
Dom Graveson computing and media storage, coming
together with a new generation of But all is far from lost... In fact, this
human centred interface design and flattening of the media landscape offers
near broadband speed connectivity huge opportunities. News International
through mobile and 3/4G networks. (among others) are launching
subscription based services for their
major broadsheets which have already
“The new holy grail is not quantity or established themselves in the online
eyeballs, as it once was...” space.
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iBoo
CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
ksto
re
A significant opportunity
for publishers
< at the centre of the global, regional The ‘magic’ of the iPad isn’t so much
and local conversation. Great content in the technology (although its without
– whether written, rich media, or doubt an impressive and beautiful
interactive, if considered and intelligent product), but in what it represents in a
– has more value than ever and can marketplace that is ready to take part
become the seed or central point for rather than sit back. If you think your
‘constellations’ of interested parties audience aren’t listening any more,
as they discuss, comment, rate, remix perhaps you aren’t tuning in to the right
and distribute amongst themselves. channel... they are out there in their
These groupings are often intensely millions – writing, sharing, producing,
participatory and highly targetable by debating... taking in the world and
advertisers. changing it every day. It is not unlike a
return to the days of the town square:
it is up to you to place yourself in the
“The ‘magic’ of the iPad isn’t so much in centre of the throng and do what you
the technology, but in what it represents have always done... understand their
in a marketplace that is ready to take ambitions, interests and passions -– and
captivate them.
part rather than sit back.”
The new holy grail is not quantity Dom is a senior consultant in the cScape
or eyeballs, as it once was, but the Customer Engagement Unit
focussed traffic of a forum about local
issues, if you are a political party; Twitter: @dombles
a discussion about a new product
launch, if you are a product marketer
or the passion of a sporting event, if
you are a major brand. For publishers
that embrace this change and learn
to engage and most importantly
measure and segment these ‘tribes’,
the advertisers are queuing up to get a
piece of the action.
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Dan Barker
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Jay Cooper
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Richard Sedley
There is no denying that the iPad is However for me the most important
a cool device. It’s sleek and typically things about the iPad is relatively
‘Apple’ in the way that it provokes an hidden. In the same way as the strength
emotional response – not just because of the toy Lego lies not in the plastic
of its curves and finish, but also due to bricks themselves but the connectors
the very way you use it. This machine – the dimples and receptors – so the
comes to life as the result of a stroke power in the iPad lies in the way it
Richard Sedley and a caress. In the same way many connects to an ecostructure.
people react to the physical qualities of
a magazine or a book, so they will with The iPad can be connected to Apple’s
the iPad. online store via a computer or wi-fi
with an ease that makes the distribution
While the physicality of the iPad is and consumption of content and
the first of its qualities we react to, services seem the easiest thing in the
the second is the content. Content world. When I want a book I just click
on the iPad is served through and it is with me to read. If I subscribe
focused and relatively lightweight to a magazine the latest and all my
software applications known as Apps. previous issues are there on hand.
You’re never going to find multi-use When I want entertaining I watch as
behemoths like Microsoft Word on I buy.
the iPad. Instead Apps tend to be built
around smaller task-based needs; The iPad has many strengths but
reading, writing, connecting, viewing. most important for our businesses
to understand and embrace is the
This more focused software means that frictionless distribution channel it
adoption and usage is generally much offers. I recommend we give it a try.
simpler. Apps don’t come with user
manuals or training courses. As a result Richard is Director of the cScape
our customers are much more likely Customer Engagement Unit and Course
to try, experiment and discard Apps Director for Social Media at the Chartered
as they see what value they offer and Institute of Marketing.
how they can be used in their busy and
demanding lives. Web: cscape.com
Twitter: @RichardSedley
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CEU client paper: Who’s afraid of the iPad?
Recommended reading
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cScape Customer Engagement Unit Tel: +44 (0)20 7689 8800
4 Pear Tree Court Email: cScapeCEU@cscape.com
Clerkenwell Blog: customer-engagement.net
London EC1R 0DS Twitter: @cScapeCEU