So the shiny new Apple iPad has been released. Sorta.
This message appears at the tail end of a video trailer from Apple describing the wonders of their new product and in an rather anticlimactic close suggests that FCC approval for the device isn’t quite in place yet. As a customer (or potential customer) this felt like a bit of a buzz kill, right after a drinking the big-gulp sized cup of Apple hype. From a business perspective however, it makes complete sense. I mean, really, is there anyone out there that believes they won’t get the approval? Sometimes it’s better to get the momentum started and worry about the finishing details later.
By odd coincidence, as the announcement came through this morning, I was watching this video presentation by Seth Godin on the merits of shipping, getting your product to market, and fast. His commentary on productivity revolves around hashing out details in the beginning of your product development and then rejecting the impulses of what he calls “the lizard brain”, the little voice in our heads that resists success in the long term.
In essence, he’s describing the concept followed by countless successful companies and entrepreneurs which is, ship, then bug fix. Perfection it seems, is a long lost concept. As a company this makes you more marketable (not to mention solvent) but is it good for clients to receive an imperfect product for their hard earned dollars? Or do they even care? What do you think?
3 Responses to “iPad vs shipping completed products”
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Pretty interesting to see this play out, as I purchased, then returned, a Nexus One just a few weeks ago. The idea was fantastic, the execution, less so.
Some people will take some bugs for the “privilege” of being an early adopter. But others can get soured on the experience and have it reflect on the company as a whole.
That was quick, I didn’t realize you’d returned it already. Back to the iphone then?
I’ve generally been a late adopter of newish technology like this, preferring to let others deal with those bugs but this is part of what I was trying to get at in this post.. Now you’re a bit sour on the Nexus One which doesn’t do them any favours. You’ll move to a different platform but would it benefited you as a customer if they’d released a more complete product? It seems odd to me that with the multitude marketplace choices we have, we’re still oft willing to settle for mediocre products because all of the competing companies are releasing half-baked products.
To be fair, I suppose I can’t call the iPad half-baked; this device is really a giant iPod which is already proven technology but it begs the question, what happens when the competition try to catch up?
Apple has a great reputation for hardware; stellar, actually. They are well practiced at their work; experts that deliver quality. This must be attributed to the diligence they apply within their own walls. They know what’s expected of them and they don’t skimp.
If I was Apple, I’d never release a production cycle that could hurt me. Look at what is happening to the wunderkiner Toyota today; no one wants to deal with thousands of recalled units. The economic and PR fallbacks of that minor fault will hurt the company for years.
That being said, if we strip away the fact that this is being done by a think-tank of the highest order and treat Apple as a singular entity and anthropomorphize it… acting boldly and trusting yourself is bold and beautiful. If you are as good as you can be, this is the only way to live. Being repressive when you’re sure you’ve reached your target is crippling and sad.
Slumdog Millionaire!… Is that your final answer? The tea-walah is tested and trusts his instincts.