iPad: What Impact Will It Have on Hollywood?

As the world scrambles to determine whether the iPad is a game-changer or a modern day Newton, the implications for media consumption and the entertainment industry are the source of much speculation. Can the Ipad impact the media landscape in as profound a manner as the iPod and iPhone did?

The Hollywood Reporter is skeptical for the time being:

Apple's new iPad is likely to underwhelm executives in Hollywood who had their fingers crossed that the sexy new tablet could be a game changer for film and TV studios.

Instead, the slim gadget that enables the computing functions of a laptop while also incorporating a full-color e-reader offers little that's unique for Hollywood. When it comes to video programming, the iPad, for now, is just another home for buying and watching TV shows and movies through the iTunes store.

The LA Weekly is a bit more optimistic about the devices potential as a media game-changer:

While the publishing, magazine and newspaper industries are licking their chops over the device as a possible, Kindle-like savior that might help them replace dwindling print subscribers and advertisers, one possibility for the thing that isn't talked about too much is as a mobile television and movie-viewing device. Via wi-fi and expected 3G capability (and in conjunction with the Apple TV storage and streaming device, or not), the thing could help you watch stored TV and movies from almost anywhere, even cars.

Of course, the big question for Hollywood is, where are you going to get that content? Will it be from NBC/Fox-run Hulu.com? Or will it be pirated, BitTorrent material? The industry is scrambling to get its head around the device.

The Wrap echoes the popular sentiment that the iPad is a mixed-bag, but lists among its highlights its compatibility with the media friendly and familiar iTunes interface:

The hookup with the iTunes Store. By syncing the iPad with iTunes - which most publishers are already familiar with through developing podcasts and iPhone applications - Apple is making it easier for content creators looking to jump into the iPad pool. That's not to say that formatting your magazine for the iPad will be as easy as uploading a podcast, but at least it's not completely foreign. And this says nothing of the film and TV studios that are imminently familiar with the iTunes way.

Nikki Finke has not yet weighed in on the matter, but the response among her readers can best be described as tepid.

Comments

[barneylee]

01:48 PM on 02/02/2010

I am buying the iPad so that I can curl up in bed and watch March Madness.

[Harrier]

02:41 AM on 02/02/2010

It is designed for books, not movies.

[earto44]

08:41 AM on 02/01/2010

Let's see watching something on my Hi Def 1080p 54" with 7.1 Surround or Ipad ? Tough choice.

[oliviafdupont]

01:55 AM on 02/01/2010

If we want to stay profitable, we're going to have to learn to use "piracy" to our advantage and to add value to our products. PERIOD I have more thoughts, but maybe this isn't the thread for it.

[oliviafdupont]

01:52 AM on 02/01/2010

Should Hollywood be afraid of the IPAD? This drop in the bucket really ignores the larger question which is, How can we create a viable revenue model for online content? This should be our long-term focus. How can we add value that consumers will pay for? Look, the internet pirates will always be smarter than we are. We can't stop teenagers in Russia from putting newly released movies online for free, nor can we stop them from putting anything they want online for free. And this idea that anyone would pay for news content online is ridiculous and stupid. What crack are you on? As I write this, I can get any movie I want online for free, any software I want for free, any book, and certainly enough news for a lifetime for free. THIS IS REALITY. WAKE UP and start thinking of a better business model. Actually, yes I even get my internet, FOR FREE. We need to learn and to use technology and to expect that technology will only make it easier for people to get FREE content. We also need viable laws to regulate technology. We are millions of years behind in respect to the laws that govern technological issues. Piracy is here to stay, that's for sure. Shut down one site, and a new one pops up in five seconds. Stop complaining and start planning the "internets" are here to stay.

[VapeGirl]

09:55 PM on 01/28/2010

It'll provide lots of fuel for late night laughs as entertainers and comics make fun of the name and the whole underwhelmingness of it.

[directfitz]

02:07 PM on 01/28/2010

Did they include the function where you can share infomation without plugging in?
They were talking about LAN parties for gaming without wires.
If yes then slate app to script would be great.
AC's keeping logs.
Audio logs.

[directfitz]

02:04 PM on 01/28/2010

LMAO

[ReelBusy]

11:43 AM on 01/28/2010

I work in Hollywood.
No one cares about the iPad.

[interoctave]

01:26 PM on 01/28/2010

I work in Hollywood.
We care about the iPad.

[ReelBusy]

01:07 AM on 01/29/2010

There's always one who wants to overpay for first generation.
Enjoy.

[GoDogGo]

01:10 AM on 02/02/2010

This guy clearly lives in some "alternate Hollywood."

[ReelBusy]

02:32 AM on 02/02/2010

Yes the one that works everyday.
.

[JulieDole]

06:19 AM on 01/28/2010

I don't want to watch movies or even TV on anything small. Small is for 'video crib notes', that's all - there's not much real pleasure in it.

And what's with the need for video every flipping where? It's mind-numbing. From gas pumps to check out aisles to video billboards - I can't stand it. I don't even iPod when I walk or exercise - I listen to the world around me, I notice where I am!

I'm glad there are still books and magazines - especially in the bath - and I love a good Sunday paper. I'll wifi on my Touch once in awhile, I love my huge iMac, and I find uses for my notebook. But I'm more interested in a graphics pad than an iPad, at least for now.

[Clare53]

03:41 PM on 01/29/2010

Ditto.

[UltraPatrick]

02:20 AM on 01/28/2010

This device really comes up short. Lack of camera and "game changing" functions make it Apples version of a eReader. Still don't understand why paper books are so bad. Pass on iPad. If you have a smart phone and a laptop the Ipad is useless! Don't know why Apple even bothered with this.

[MichaelMC]

01:02 AM on 01/28/2010

Cool device, but the lack of Flash support will severely limit its ability to play web videos. They really should fix that, even if it's some sort of seamless conversion to QuickTime.

[cdembrey]

01:39 AM on 01/28/2010

Flash SUCKS up resources. I use a 3G wireless with my laptop and Flash is veeery slooow to load. Typically more than 5 min for a 3:00 min YouTube video.

People just won't wait for Flash to upload to an iPad. Flash is dead in the water in a WiFi/3G world

[HonestJohnnis]

02:22 AM on 01/28/2010

Wifi is more than capable of streaming flash.. Maybe not on the ATT network with 3g though.

[MichaelMC]

03:25 PM on 01/29/2010

"Flash is dead in the water in a WiFi/3G world".

Well, most (perhaps as much as 75%) of online video is Flash, so I think you're mistaken.

[mediacrazed]

12:50 AM on 01/28/2010

I agree with LA Weekly.

My dream for today was that Steve would announce a sexy-looking giant iPhone mashed up with a mobile TV. We are one giant step closer now!

Steve telegraphed the future by referring to this as a "device" not a computer. When we want to create and edit heavy-duty graphics projects, we'll do that on a Mac in the right environment for focused work and concentration. But when we want to watch movies, TV and video, we'll be free to wander away from the deadly anchor that TV screens have always been and still are. And for now, we can at last enjoy an new e-book interface that doesn't wreck the visual design aesthetics of books.

Sure, there was no real mention of the TV possibilities today, but that will come next, once the necessary agreements are in place with content providers. If any of the major networks or Studios could leap into the 21st century, they'd race right over to One Infinity Loop and cut themselves a deal with Apple like AT&T did a few years ago.

[BeefJerky]

10:50 AM on 01/28/2010

And when you "wander away from the deadly anchor that TV screens have always been and still are," where will that be? Into the middle of traffic?

[directfitz]

10:55 PM on 01/27/2010

HA once again studio execs prove they know nothing about actual film making. It's going to be huge. I've been writing everyone I can find to see if it will run anything compatible with Final Cut Pro.
If it runs FCP it will revolutionize our idustry.

[GoDogGo]

11:00 PM on 01/27/2010

What?! Dude, Final Cut is a "lean forward" application. You don't edit video while standing in line or lying on the couch! That's laptop territory.

No, this isn't a "Hollywood" device. To me, it's much more of a savior for publishing, though the embedded video capabilities bring lots of ideas to mind.

[dzent1]

11:01 PM on 01/27/2010

Especially if they include Spell Check Pro!

[valletta]

08:05 PM on 01/27/2010

I was there and got to see one in person. They are awesome.

Go back and google the initial reactions to the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone. I think you'll see a pattern of naysayers who end up wrong.

[GoDogGo]

11:04 PM on 01/27/2010

Yep. Anyone remember the reaction to the iPod? HUGE dismissal. Same with the iPhone.

I think some people have a tough time seeing the holistic view of its capabilities. Being fully integrated as it is with other devices and media distribution makes it a pretty amazing little machine.

[GetoffMylawn]

03:01 AM on 01/28/2010

The iPhone was going to sink Apple.