iPad – the moment we have all been waiting for?

For months, we have all been clamoring for a peek under the hood, a glimpse at how Apple’s “latest creation” would look and how it would work. The prevailing rumors were that it would be a tablet and it would roughly be 10” in size. Then the rumor mills picked up steam and spun tales that an even larger announcement was pending and that in addition to a tablet, Apple would unveil the latest incarnation of the iPhone: a more versatile, Verizon-friendly 4G version of its current 3G device. Yesterday, those mills proved themselves unreliable, as they often do, when Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad sans any mention of a new iPhone (sorry Verizon subscribers).

The device has largely been met with reviews that are tepid at best. As is the case with seemingly everything that comes out of Apple’s Cupertino labs, the iPad is visually pleasing. It has a 10” LED widescreen display that sports multi-touch capability and “fingerprint-resistant coating.” The iPad has an onscreen keyboard when it is being used in landscape mode and a USB port for a physical board when it is being used in portrait mode. The device’s 10-hour battery life allows users to essentially go the whole day on a single charge. With the iPad comes the introduction of the iBookstore; a digital book application, used for purchasing titles and displaying them in a virtual bookshelf. iPad owners who purchase books from the app can read the downloaded titles instantly.

A 3G version of the device will be available in April and will allow subscribers to surf the web, download movies, music, books and apps wherever they are but only through AT&T.

Unfortunately, for the army of us who eagerly await Apple announcements, this device leaves a lot to be desired. Though it surfs the web, runs iTunes, and providers consumers with access to the roughly 140,000 apps in the App Store it lacks a camera, microphone and Flash, making it nothing more than a larger iPod touch.

Don’t get me wrong, the iPod Touch is a great device (I actually own one) but so much was expected from this device that we are left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. It’s like seeing Kobe Bryant score 50 points everytime they play at the Staples Center. If he only scores 30 points the next time you see him, you’d be appreciate the effort but won’t be nearly as satisfied. Such is the curse of the superstar. Maybe if this device were an Acer or Asus the world would embrace it more warmly.

That said, I’m sure Apple will be just fine. Early Adopters will still add them to their carts and line up in store for their iPads in March. In fact, if history has taught us anything it is that:

1) 1st generation Apple releases are typically followed, almost immediately, by much better upgraded devices.

2) Roughly 45% of Early Adopters upgrade to newer devices*

So is this the moment we have all been waiting for? Hardly. So I, for one, will sit back, wait and watch as the magnificent marketing machine that is Apple crank out better, more exciting features for the iPad 2.0.

* Morgan Stanley Study on the iPhone measuring Early Adopters who bought the 1G iPhone in 2007 and later upgraded to the 3G iPhone in 2008

Starbucks, you're breaking our hearts

It's nothing new that Starbucks has been experiencing declines in in-store traffic as of late. So, they've cut back on their projections for '08, shortly after promising to deliver a better web experience.

This coffee joint was never really known for providing the utmost in online user experience, despite priding itself on being one of the first means of social networking. As one source confirms, they've wasted potential and opportunity: "Starbucks had mastered social networking long before MySpace, Facebook and YouTube had any prominence. And yet, Starbucks focused almost exclusively on stores, dismissing the Web as a place to sell coffee beans, grinders and maybe some jazz CDs."

Ah, yes. It's also a Wi-Fi zone. Big deal. So are ten thousand other places that reek of coffee. Come on, Starbucks- make us web-savvy caffeine lovers proud. (I'll give them this: they have mentioned implementing a strong CRM platform, but where are the results?)

It seems the best they can do is, more or less, a weak hybrid between a "network" and online suggestion box:

"The Starbucks Experience grows, in part, from the unique combination of a shared passion for coffee and the exchange of great ideas. For years, Starbucks stores have served as the center of vibrant communities, welcoming customers and encouraging creativity and dialogue. Starbucks today announced the extension of that community beyond the doors of its stores with the launch of MyStarbucksIdea.com."

They're doing this to become even richer, essentially. Although profit makes the world go 'round, they're missing the point. Social networking is about appealing to people of the world...Just trust us on this one, Starbucks.

Suds take over Miami.

Sony using Miami like overflowing washing machine as the backdrop for a commercial for Sony's digital cameras. It must have been a blast to see live. More spots here on you tube.

Echo Gets Adopted

We do a lot of interactive work for Pedigree and this is a big part of the offline campaign. Enjoy.

QR Codes Go Global

Here is a great article over at CScout on QR codes. It's pretty much everything you need to know (for now). QR codes are a really exciting marketing opportunity for interactive, retail and marketers in general. We're probably just ahead of the curve as far as implementing a true QR campaign, but hey -- it's good to dream and prepare, the day will be here very soon. QR Codes go global.

Wine Library TV

If you haven't seen Wine Library TV you should. Gary and team utilize the best of web 2.0. Here you'll find hundreds of webisodes on wine, an amazing resource and very entertaining. Gary's passion is definitely contagious. All i can say is kudos to Gary "VAY-NER-CHUK". I'm already a fan.

Ads of the world.

Most creative people are inspired by what they see and hear. I came across this great site : Ads of the World

I've been to the site before but then forgot about it. I realized this time what a treasure it really is.

First of all it is great to see what marketers can get away with outside the states and secondly, it's just nice to see different perspectives on creative. Some of the stuff you'll see we simply couldn't get approved here in the US.

Enjoy.

Advertising 2.0

This 20 page whitepaper explores the influence of technology in advertising, marketing and media, and the threats and opportunities triggered by the revolution of the new, social internet.