Has Technology Big Wave Surfer Steve Jobs Created a Tsunami That Will Kill the Personal Computer Market?

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Mar 10, 2011, 07:50 ET

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- There's clear evidence that the biggest big wave tech surfer, Steve Jobs, stepped out from behind the curtain recently to personally demo the iPad 2 because he realized how much of a game changer this technology can be. With the new iPad 2 set for release on Friday, Jobs and Apple now look to be the king of the high tech industry. Other leaders in the past have shared the sales spotlight; e.g., Bill Gates. But Microsoft provided only part of the PC solution. They did not provide the networking, the processors or the Internet. Jobs, on the other hand, seems to have almost completely encircled the tablet market for Apple. Given the iPad's WiFi capability, and Apple's connection to AT&T and Verizon, the whole idea of mobile tablet computing seems to have Apple in a dominant position.

But, according to Ken Thurber, author of Big Wave Surfing: Extreme Technology Development, Management, Marketing and Investing, "the game is even broader than people think. With some of the features and capabilities in the iPad, it would appear that Apple is set to dominate or completely eliminate some industries. Do you really need a GPS system if you have an iPad or iPhone? Will you really need a car navigation system if you have your iPad or iPhone? GPS and in-car navigation systems are only one of the potential victims of the iPad revolution."

Additionally, according to Thurber, "the iPad has the capability to destroy the PC and laptop market for users who do not need heavy computational usage. For simple email and Web browsing plus a few special applications, the average computer user can create an easy-to-use platform that has tremendous advantages over conventional laptop computers. Thurber goes on to say, "In fact, we are starting to see the birth of a completely new computing concept that will have the same impact on PCs that PCs had on microcomputers, that microcomputers had on minicomputers, and that minicomputers had on mainframes. Jobs set off a tablet revolution. And, he is in control of both hardware and software."

Thurber continues, "Ebooks are also under siege by the Apple product empire, but with thousands of apps becoming available from the iTunes store for everything from apps that act as a TV tuner to apps that provide weather in various locations, you can expect that Apple, under the leadership of Jobs, has staked out a completely new computing concept and lots of industries will be under siege. Both the iPhone and iPad will attack the market for basic camera and video camera capabilities in a significant way, as well as attacking video phones and Skype. If you are another manufacturer, you are now caught off guard and trying to play catch up to a massive Tsunami of product roll outs that just will not stop."

For Thurber, who originated the big wave surfing concept as it applies to technology, the product differentiation is clear. With the iPad you get a product that integrates hardware and software features that appeal to the average user and a mass market. It's mobile, it's cost-effective, and, with the proliferation of apps available at iTunes, Jobs has created a new software industry.

The only question now is who or what can stop or slow Apple's momentum?

About the Author

Kenneth J. Thurber, Ph.D. is a renowned computer architect and has developed technology and systems worth billions of dollars. He developed the concept of "technology big wave surfing" to empower readers to understand and harness the opportunity of an ever-changing technological world.

P.S. - readers are sure to enjoy exploring the present and future possibilities described in Dr. Thurber's Big Wave Surfing!

See and read more at: http://www.bigwavesurfingbook.com

Order the book at: http://www.bigwavesurfingbook.com/ordering

Readers should bookmark this page for the official launch on March 29th:

http://www.bigwavesurfingbook.com/promo/