March 8, 2010

Apple kicks off iPad ad blitz at Oscars; Cash Machine In The Making?

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Apple introduced its iPad to the non-tech world Sunday night two ad spots during the Oscar broadcast. The commercial signals Apple’s presale hype of its iPad launch on April 3.

It’s a bit hard to believe, but for non-tech folks Apple’s iPad commercial at the Oscars was probably the first real introduction to the device to the average bear. The commercial, which garnered a lot of tech buzz, was more overview than killer app play, but Apple is clearly introducing the iPad to the masses. Early adopters are nice, but getting your mom to buy an iPad pays the bills. What’s at stake? A lot of money.

Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore assumes that Apple will get a blended average selling price of about $600 for the iPad with gross margins in the 25 percent to 35 percent range. Meanwhile, 1 million iPad units equates to about 10 cents a share in additional earnings.

Here’s Whitmore’s money chart. As you can see, iPad has a lot of cash cow potential.

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