Apple’s sale of the century

Apple is on a roll, the iPad has sold out across the world as we eagerly awaits the devices launch on our shores and now the iPhone has been voted a more important invention than the car and flushing toilet.

There’s no doubt that what Steve Jobs has done for Apple is anything short of astounding. He’s turned ‘geek’ onto ‘chic’, credited with launching the most ‘must have’ items of the 21st Century.

The company has sold more than 42 million iPhones since the smartphone’s launch in 2007. That figure is staggering, and it’s no wonder that the device has made it into the top ten of the world’s most valuable inventions.

The list, compiled by Tesco Mobile, placed Apple’s iPhone eighth. The wheel took the top spot and the aeroplane second.

There’s no doubt that Apple is hoping for continued success with its e-reader device the iPad. Despite the mass criticism of the product after its announcement in January, the iPad has gone on to sell over one million units in the first 28 days.

A new survey from Boston Consulting Group confirms that the device is poised to become mass-market.

The BCG survey reveals that more than half of all consumers are planning to buy an iPad, Kindle, or Similar Device in the next three years.

Consumers are embracing e-readers, says BCG. Patrick Forth, leader of BCG’s media practice, suggests that e-readers and tablets were not a niche product for early adopters but could become the MP3 players of this decade.

He says, “The survey suggests e-readers and tablets could become established consumer products, alongside TVs, PCs, and mobile handsets such as the BlackBerry and iPhone. They could also inject fresh hope into the publishing industry, which is struggling to generate online revenues.”

Over 80 per cent of potential users of eReaders or tablets are interested in reading newspapers and magazines via the device.

According to the BCG survey, Britons are prepared to pay up to $US9 for a digital book, for example. Americans are prepared to pay the same while the Aussies are willing to pay between $US7 and $US12.

E-readers have been around for several years but gained critical mass in late 2007, when Amazon introduced the Kindle. In March, Apple countered with the iPad boosting the market and worldwide demand.

Now, consumers clearly want to do more than just read with these devices, leaving the spectrum open for the media and marketing industry. It really is time to make a mark with this remarkable devices that have already exceeded all of our expectations.