Written by Gina Cerami, Director of Marketing, Connotate
Submitted by Connotate

As Apple unveiled the iPad last week I’m sure the Apple-loyalists lined up to reserve their very own precious iPad. But, what they get in return for the price is still to be seen, or better yet, realized.

The iPad is anticipated to provide a simple and convenient experience for consumers seeking high-value digital content. Already, Apple has designed an app for delivering books via the iPad (called iBookstore), but will they be able to compete with the Kindle or Netbook that’s already out there? If you own one of those other e-book readers, are you really going to put out another $500 for yet another cool tech device that serves the same function? I’m not so sure.

Publishers, Get Your Paintbrush, the Canvas is in Front of You

I believe the real opportunity may lie with the news and magazine publishers. The New York Times presentation of their news on the iPad looked pretty impressive. It had a nice layout, nice flow. Now that Apple – who has a pretty loyal following (more than 20% of Americans own at least one Apple product) — has created a canvas, it’s time for innovative publishers to start building their apps. A much larger canvas than was available via the iPhone and iPod, now might be the time for publishers to consider an alternate business model that may help and even speed the transition of consumers’ willingness to pay for digital content.

Read the rest at: Connotate’s Business Intelligence Blog