iPad Presents Portable Opportunities!

Apple’s much talked about iPad has the potential as a long form, digital content reader to present online marketing opportunities and create compelling content to further engage users, enrich their experience and drive brand identity.

Once again, as with many of the emerging online social media platforms, for business to assess the value and relevance of devices for revenue opportunity, requires flexibility and adaptation. In an environment where advertising and measuring ROI are still being defined, the iPad, with it’s larger screen size provides eCommerce and advertisers, expanded potential for creating exciting, new marketing strategies.

It is of course, the A4 screen format, which offers a level of website accessibility and engagement ‘on the move’, beyond the current limits of mobile content. Screen size, combining with portability, connectivity, touch screen and Safari web browser experience, provides the iPad with a “best of breed” functionality of both mobile phone and laptop.

The capability for website design agencies to migrate online brand design solutions to the iPad format means they can provide their business clients with an entirely new level of customer interaction with content, not available on any other type of device.

Contrary to early cynical critics, the iPad is not simply a larger iPhone or iPod Touch, netbook or e-reader!

The results of early study groups reveal that the combination of portability, larger screen size, and seamless touch screen interactivity were the most compelling for users. They were most drawn by the ability to read long-form digital content, similar to the experience of reading a hard copy version of a book or periodical. The study found that the iPad gave a more interactive, tactile and convenient reading experience the group would not obtain on a mobile phone or laptop.

The combination of a rich multimedia experience, a variety of functionalities, and the ease of use of the iPad will also drive adoption across different age, and target interest groups.

The features of the iPad provide advantages of a mobile device without size limitations, including always-on connectivity (especially with the rollout of 3G), location-based applications and the ability to provide a rich ad experience. Apple’s iPhone OS 4 and iAd provides the framework to support interactive and engaging content and multi tasking.

The larger screen and interactivity with mobile apps content, will provide an enhanced experience for users and a platform to drive brand engagement by integrating advertising within a framework of information, practical functionality, entertainment, or other consumer needs.

Driven by the features that Apple has integrated into its e-book applications, the iPad provides business with a new dimension, ripe with possibilities for sponsorship and targeted, online advertising opportunities.