Introduction

When the original iPad debuted two years ago (yes, it’s been only two years), it seemed like a grand experiment. It was an impressive new device, but would people actually buy it? And when they did—in massive, unexpected numbers—I honestly had a hard time figuring out why. Don’t get me wrong—I love the iPad and use it every day, but I’m also a nerd who writes about technology for a living. I wondered why Apple has sold more than 55 million iPads to date. And then, I realized the secret to the iPad’s ongoing success.

The iPad is the first real spontaneous device. It’s not as bulky as a laptop, and it doesn’t need to be anchored in one room of the house the way a desktop computer usually is. The iPad can be anywhere in the house, or with you on the bus or train, and is a godsend for anyone who frequently travels by air in cramped middle seats. You can pick it up and search for something—like an actor’s name while watching TV—without having to relocate to “the computer” or trying to remember to look up the detail later. Heck, if you also own an Apple TV, you can play a video stored on the iPad directly on your high-definition television. You can take the iPad into the kitchen and use an app such as Epicurious to find a recipe and cook a meal.