While tablets existed before the iPad, it is safe to say that it was only with the iPad that tablets truly became a popular choice amongst the consumer market, whereas in the past tablets were mostly seen as devices used by industry professionals for specific tasks. Many companies have since followed suit with their own tablets, such as Microsoft.In a recent interview with Business Insider, Microsoft’s GM for Surface Ryan Gavin has suggested that Apple could actually be following in Microsoft’s footsteps this time, such as with the iPad Pro. According to Gavin, “Think about it, if we had been looking at [Apple] we wouldn’t have made a product like Surface Pro or Surface Book.”
He adds, “We have been learning and perfecting our products in the 2-in-1 category for years now, [but] when Surface initially launched everyone was skeptical, including them. And then they followed, and the iPad Pro is a clear example of that.” It is an interesting statement and one not hard to deny, especially given how resistant Apple was to launching devices with a stylus in the past, although all that changed with the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil.
In any case what do you guys think? Does the iPad Pro make a clear indication that Apple is indeed now more of a “follower” than an innovator?
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