The Destructive Nature of the iPad

In evaluating the iPad as an example of Disruptive Technology within this discussion forum it appears the dominant position has been to assess the iPads impact on the Consumer Electronics Industry, in some cases even narrowing the scope down to the Tablet Industry. Our group does not believe this approach was the most appropriate starting point for answering the question because it provides less room to address the impact that the iPad and ‘Tablet’ Computers generally have had on Business Models globally with specific reference to Information Systems areas of concern.

In using Porter’s Five Forces model we felt it best to evaluate the disruptive nature of the iPad by its effect on the forces within a particular industry, not simply by describing the forces as they are but how they might have changed in response. Using the Case Study as the starting point, we looked at the Media Industry due to the drastic changes occurring with the relevant forces and how the iPad contributes to that. We also took inspiration from a key area of concern in the Textbook revolving around how Mobile Digital Platforms affect Business Models and force the adaption of different Strategies relying on different elements of the Information Systems framework.

In this sense, the emergence and success of the iPad can be viewed through the prism of a rapid and proliferant adoption of a more powerful Mobile Digital Platform and the specific affect this has on other Media Platforms such as Print.

Overall while the success of the iPad in the Consumer Electronics Industry disrupts the market for Laptops and other mobile forms of computing, its radical affect on consumer behaviour is a much more interesting area in seeing how Firms adapt to new Information Systems requirements for the delivery of their content.

It is for these reasons that our group believes we have provided a strong and appropriate answer to the