Mobile broadband has been made "more accessible" with the launch of the Apple iPad.

John Tearle, research consultant in the technology division at TNS Research, believes that customers mainly think of the device in terms of its internet capacity and large screen, while other features don't get much of a look in.

"I think primarily it could be used for internet," he said. "A lot of interest is for that. While things like smartphones and iPhones have internet with touchable screens, it's not quite the same experience. We also know that the Apple iTunes applications market has been very successful as well."

His comments coincide with research from the company, which was carried out in order to show how Brits perceive the gadget.

Figures show that 18 per cent see it as an internet-access product and in London, where people are always on the move, 27 per cent of people surveyed said they intend to buy the product.

I personally agree with Mr Tearle's comments.

Whenever I think of anything to do with Apple's portable devices, the internet always seems to spring to mind above anything else.

Even Apple iPods rely on the internet for downloading songs.

But does Apple now expect all those people who have bought its iPhones to discard them for the newest product?

Research also found that over two-thirds of people are unlikely to buy the new device because it's too expensive, while 36 per cent simply said they are not in the market for a new computer!

So I guess the jury's still out on whether people will be using this device for mobile broadband.

Categories: Broadband

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