Survey: Apple’s iPad Still Has Huge Demand Advantage

Article: http://gigaom.com/apple/survey-apples-ipad-still-has-huge-demand-advantage/

Summary:

Since Apple has launched the iPad in April 2010, there has been a  serious decline in the demand for netbooks. Respondents of the new ChangeWave Survey with the intention of buying a netbook have dropped drastically over the past year. In fact, netbook demand has been dropping steadily since its peak in June 2009 from 20 percent to 14 percent. Although the price of the iPad can be compared with higher-priced netbooks, ChangeWave has found that not only is the demand for this portable device is high, but consumers are also very satisfied with this product. 72 percent replied that they were “Very Satisfied” with Apple’s tablet, while another 23 percent said they were “Somewhat Satisfied” and 0 percent for “Very Unsatisfied.” At this moment, 80 percent of those who are likely to buy a tablet are planning to get an iPad. RIM’s (Research In Motion) Playbook is the next in line for highest demand, but survey shows that only 8 percent of the respondents are choosing the Blackberry solution. If that isn’t enough to convince you, this tablet device is most likely to be on the customers’ wish list as the holiday season approaches.  

Connection:

The factors causing the decrease in demand for netbooks and the increase in demand for iPads in this case would be incomes and tastes and preferences. As the economy is slowly recovering from recession, the income of consumers is generally increasing. That is to say, they would be able to generate more disposable income. The more disposable income they have, the more money they will spend on luxurious items such as the iPad. Even though the price of an iPad is more expensive than a typical netbook, consumers are still willing to pay that much more for this product. In terms of tastes and preferences, Apple has done an extraordinary job on advertising their tablet. The iPad is a light-weight, portable device that has a big, beautiful Multi-Touch screen. This makes web browsing, typing emails, watching a movie, and even gaming a remarkable experience for us consumers. Last but not least, Apple has specifically designed more than a thousand apps limited to the iPad. Those factors alone are enough to turn the heads of a netbook consumer to purchase an iPad as a substitution of a netbook, resulting in an increased quantity exchanged for iPads.

Reflection:

As I have previously mentioned, Apple has done an excellent job in convincing that purchasing an iPad is the better choice. Many people have been affected by this—including myself—which is exactly why the demand of iPads is so high. I personally think Apple is very clever as they know what consumers are looking for. I also think that the demand for iPads is not likely to decrease any time soon because since this tablet has fulfilled many of the consumers’ needs and they are satisfied with this product, it is not likely that they will find an alternative in the future. Thus, they will continue being a loyal customer to Apple. Nowadays, when I walk into our local coffee shops, there is not a time where I don’t see someone holding an iPad. However, I have yet to see someone holding a RIM Playbook in their hands. That means even RIM, Apple’s biggest competitor in the market, is not up to par with Apple. The technology and products from Apple will only improve, and the demand will only go higher and higher.

E. coli scare ripples through White Rock: 20,000 told to boil water after bacteria found in test sample

Article: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/environment/coli+scare+ripples+through+White+Rock/3430560/story.html

Summary:

EPCOR, a utility company based in Edmonton, Alberta, has detected traces of E. coli in White Rock's water supply, forcing nearly 20,000 residents to boil their water. Residents were advised by health officials that all tap water should be boiled for at least one minute before being used drinking, washing vegetables, or even brushing teeth. Businesses around the area were struggling and scrambling to find clean sources of water supply for their customers. Samples of water from twenty-four sites were taken back to be tested, and EPCOR had only found E. coli in one site. They had also searched White Rock's six well heads, construction sites, reservoirs, hydraulics, and sampling facilities, but the source of bacteria still remains unknown. David Plug, the spokesman of Fraser Health Authority, has stated that it may have been a sampling or lab error, or there was a contamination somewhere along the process. It could also be possible that water had leeched through the ground with contaminants. The boiling water advisory will not cease and will continue to stay in place until three consecutive water samples are free from bacteria.


Connection:

This article links to both scarcity and opportunity costs. Water, as many of you may have known, is a scarce resource. Due to the contamination of E. coli, the scarcity of water has ultimately increased and has affected 20,000 residents of White Rock. But that is only to say the least. Not only did this affect the residents of White Rock, but this had also affected businesses in the area, such as restaurants like The Boathouse or Uli's Restaurant. Stephen Duzyer, the head chef of The Boathouse Restaurant has claimed that they have already spent $1,000 on ice, which is where opportunity cost comes into the picture. The Owner of Uli's Restaurant has claimed that he had to wake up one or two hours earlier each day just to buy juice and other beverages to sell to customers. Residents of White rock were also forced to buy bottled water from local supermarkets such as Walmart. Due to this factor, the demand for bottles of distilled water has then largely increased. As a result, businesses were charging consumers at the cost of up to $7 for one-litre of bottled water. Other costs that may need to be factored in could be the electricity and heat that residents may have to use to boil their water to ensure that the water they drink could be safely consumed, as well as the amount of fuel that they have to use to travel to local supermarkets for beverages and clean water.


Reflection:

Nowadays, it seems as if clean water is becoming scarcer and we have to be more attentive to what we consume because there could be traces of contaminants anywhere. Water pollution and wastes being dumped into rivers and canals have made the water become unsuitable for drinking, therefore increasing the scarcity. While we think we still have a large supply of fresh water, we don't, and after I read this article I feel that we have been taking the things we have for granted. We may not realize it now, but in the near future this may become a serious issue. Millions of people have died each year from preventable diseases, after drinking water from polluted and contaminated sources. I feel that we are very lucky and are privileged to be given this luxury to have fresh water supply, but not very many of us appreciate this. I feel that we could help by cutting down the usage of water as much as possible, such as turning the taps off when we don't need it, take shorter showers, and we could even consider buying toilets that have water-saving features. That way, we can conserve the amount of water we use for our own benefits, but more importantly, for people who are in need of fresh water.