Posted by
Barry Siskind
UFILive Community Manager
Apple, the folks who revolutionized mobile communications with the iphone introduced its much awaited ipad. Ipad owners will be able to web-browse, watch movies, show-off photographs, read newspapers and magazines and down load the latest best sellers. But, will this have an effect on the world of exhibitions?
The ipad is designed to be a “moving interactive experience.” While Apple has initially introduced the ipad in the United States it won’t be long until its available everywhere. Which means that savvy organizers and exhibitors will have a new method of getting live, in the moment, relevant information and experiences to prospective customers?
Specifically through their ipad users will be able to
- Download exhibitor brochures and other literature
- Walk through the trade fair floor plan mapping out their route
- See replays (or live presentations) of keynotes and workshops
- Witness colleagues and industry people through live at the fair interview
- And so much more.
Is the trade fair industry ready to embrace the ipad technology?
Will organizers and exhibitors wait-and-see for someone else to embrace this new technology first?
Much as I love Apple products, I’m not yet convinced that this will take off on the same scale as the iPhone, Blackberry or even, for now, the Kindle. So, I doubt that we’ll see too may iPad-specific apps from the industry for a while.
The interesting twist is going to be whether this is the tool that really sets light to “augmented reality” where you can combine maps, 3D ‘street view’ type images and additional product/location in real time. There is some really intriguing exhibition industry potential for that.
From one of my Apple users-
FYI…I have read at least 5 reviews of the iPad…NONE of them were positive.
My guess, this is the next “Newton”. Remember that thing? If not, there is a reason.
I am a lover of all things Apple, but don’t personally see the iPad as something that will bring much revolution to anything. It’s a johnny come lately attempt to get in the Kindle / Tablet marketplace
LARRY KULCHAWIK
Director- 3D Exhibits International
I wonder if this is the same speculation that haunted virtual trade shows?……ie virtual trade shows will make regular trade shows obsolete……and we see how far they got….. Doug is right, this doesn’t replace F2F
I do think however that this will become a very important element/tool in “augmented reality” and its relationship to trade show marketing
LARRY KULCHAWIK
Director- 3D Exhibits International
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I cannot believe how can this be true.