iPad

So Apple announced this Wednesday the release of "a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelieveable price". Without looking at the product, that tagline is so well constructed and marvelously created to pique interest among many.

What is it? Well if you haven't heard by now its called the iPad.

About 10 years ago I wanted to start a business based on a hardware e-book reader. At the time there was no such thing and I just knew something like it will transform the book business.

But I ran into a problem and it wasnt so much getting people together to build this device and getting it done, but of how book publishers were going to buy into the idea . So I shelved it. Many years later Amazon came around to build the Kindle and that all but crushed my dream. It was a natural fit for Amazon to do so and there was no way in hell could I compete.

But now comes the iPad, what is going to be a Kindle Killer. Steve Jobs announced on Thursday that Macmillan, Penguin, Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, and Hachette have agreed to deliver content for the iPad. The profit margin will be larger for the publishers who will receive 70% of the sales while Apple keeps the rest.

With the existing iPhone cult base and Apple fan boys and girls out there, iPad will be another superstar product. The timing, carryover, and everything is right. Though some may view this as a big iPhone, they are missing the point. To hold something very personal in your hands is something special.

Congrats Apple on delivering a device that will transform the way we read and interactive with content.