boakes.org

I have to hand it to the R&D folks at apple, they really do create some lovely gadgets. Things that have form as well as function. So my usual respect was taken up a notch today when I saw the advert for this summer’s must have gadget, the iPad.

Until recently the gadget market has been dominated by young to middle-aged, technically minded men. So Apple’s release of an iPod shuffle derivative aimed directly at the female market is illustrative of their position as one of the few companies whose appeal is equally split between the tech savvy and urban chic of both genders.

The text of the iPad ad’ says it all:

Meet iPad shuffle, the discrete new member of the iPod family.

Wear it with almost nothing else.

It’s waterproof, sandproof, ergonomically contoured and invisible under swimwear,

We call it summerproof.

…and in case you drift off listening to 240 of your favourite thongs we’ve incorporated a discrete vibrating alarm function so you never forget to reapply your sunscreen.

Available April 1 2005 from rom $99.
Brown Mac & Not PC.

It will be interesting to see how it fares when it is released today.