Americans and Europeans not thrilled
According to a survey conducted by YouGov in Britain, Germany,
USA, Denmark and the Middle East, consumers aren't too impressed with
Apple's iPad, but there is an interesting twist.
Middle eastern consumers are by far the most likely to buy the iPad, an
58 percent of them would probably do so. Some 17 percent of German
consumers are also interested, as well as 13 percent of US consumers.
At 7 percent, interest is rather low in Denmark and the UK.
Mind you, researchers point out most consumers overestimate the iPad
and believe it has quite a few more features than it actually does. In
the Middle East 59 percent of consumers believe the iPad can make phone
calls. The same goes for 37 percent of respondents in Germany and
Blighty. 36 percent of Americans and 40 percent of Danes also fail to
realize the iPad is not a phone. Many consumers in all markets also
believe the device has a camera and that it can make video calls.
"Apple
with the help of Steve Jobs has the most amazing ability to create buzz
when it comes to launching a new product. People all over the world
have heard about it. The problem is that so many, particularly in this
region do not really understand what the device can and cannot deliver,
which could leave many disappointed," said Iman Annab, CEO,
YouGovSiraj.
There are also a few other facts worth pointing out. The survey did not
include poor nations in the Middle East. In fact, it only included
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates, with
some of the most affluent consumers in the world, let alone the region.
We doubt many Yemeni consumers would buy one.
However, despite this fact, consumers from these rather wealthy Gulf nations claim they would be willing to pay between
$160
and
$320 for the iPad and frankly this sounds like a reasonable price for
Jobs' latest toy. In contrast, Europeans are willing to pay between
$410 and $630, while the Americans would cough up $300 to $400 for the
device.
More here.