As Apple Counts Down to iPad Release, Will Consumers Line Up to
Buy ?
A New Study from Infogroup?s ORC Gages Consumer Interest in iPad
Purchase
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--According to a new poll conducted by ORC, an Infogroup
Company (NASDAQ: IUSA), the vast majority of US consumers (71%)
are
familiar with Apple?s iPad tablet computer. Six percent plan on
buying
one within a year, equating to a sale of about seven million
units, and
one percent said they will purchase one as soon as it becomes
available,
which would translate to a sale of approximately one million
units. The
iPad is slated to hit shelves on Saturday, April 3rd.
?It wasn?t that long ago when the Blackberry smartphone
was
only used by executives and road warriors. Adoption of the iPad
will
likely increase when consumers begin to grasp the extent to which
the
new technology will integrate with and enhance the way they work
and
play.?
The findings in ORC?s
survey correspond closely with market analyst predictions that
five
million iPads will be sold in 2010. Based on the results of ORC?s
research, it is clear that a significant number of tech-hungry
consumers
are interested in an iPad in the short-term, but what does this
mean for
the long-term success of the product?
?Adoption of new technologies is often a slow and gradual
process,? said
Kevin Wood, Vice President and Senior Analyst with ORC?s
technology
practice. ?It wasn?t that long ago when the Blackberry smartphone
was
only used by executives and road warriors. Adoption of the iPad
will
likely increase when consumers begin to grasp the extent to which
the
new technology will integrate with and enhance the way they work
and
play.?
The study also examined the types of technology an eventual iPad
purchase would replace. Four in ten respondents (39%) said they
would
not replace anything, indicating an augmentation of their existing
technology with the iPad; however, 35% cited that an iPad could
eventually replace a laptop or desktop computer running Windows.
?Just as the iPhone aided Apple in winning new Macintosh users,
the
initial data surrounding the release of the iPad suggests that the
introduction of a fresh technology will once again create a new
equilibrium in Apple vs. Windows users,? Wood said. ?When it comes
to
capturing the hearts and minds of prospective customers, the
creation of
innovative and exciting personal computing options may prove more
successful in the long run than improvements to features and
functionality.?
About ORC
ORC, an Infogroup company, is a leading global market research
firm with
offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific region. ORC
offers the
unique ability to integrate primary and secondary research,
competitive
intelligence and expert insight to address the business challenges
of
its clients worldwide. The company has been a partner of CNN on
the
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll since 2006. To learn more
about
ORC, visit www.opinionresearch.com.
About Infogroup
Infogroup (NASDAQ: IUSA) is the leading provider of data and
interactive
resources that enables targeted sales, effective marketing and
insightful research solutions. Our information powers innovative
tools
and insight for businesses to efficiently reach current and future
customers through multiple channels, including the world?s most
dominant
and powerful Internet search engines and GPS navigation systems.
Infogroup?s headquarters are located at 5711 South 86th
Circle, Omaha, NE 68127. For more information, call (402) 593-4500
or
visit www.infogroup.com.
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and
information constitute forward looking statements that involve
risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from
those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The
potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
recent changes in senior management, the successful integration of
recent and future acquisitions, fluctuations in operating results,
failure to successfully carry out our Internet strategy or to grow
our
Internet revenue, effects of leverage, changes in technology and
increased competition. More information about potential factors
that
could affect the company?s business and financial results is
included in
the company?s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.