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The iPad hits the UK

The article from the front page of the Financial Times is perhaps evidence that newspapers will survive the launch of the iPad. The advertisement on the underground on the day of the iPad's UK launch may also be evidence of the same thing.

Fresh from my first play with an iPad, I am sure that it will change a lot of things. I was surprised how small and light it was. Apps from the iPhone do not work on it. Apps written specially for the iPad look fantastic.

My friend who is an expert says that the iPad is too middle class to be as successful as the iPhone. But if you have middle class customers, then you should expect it to change something.

The newspaper story was about the creation of artificial life. I had seen the story on the internet the previous day and saw it on the television evening news. But putting the story on the front page of a newspaper made it more real for me.

While we know that not everything that is printed is 100 per cent accurate, we also pay attention to what editors decide is important. It is this editing that papers do so well. It is this editing that makes newspapers so powerful.

The iPad will prove a challenge for books and magazines. I don't think it will have as big an impact on newspapers. Whether it will sell more papers or simply move some news readers on line, remains to be seen.  


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