Apple's Phil Schiller Wants YOU to Buy iPad and Apple TV for Holidays

Phil Schiller making Apple's 2010
holiday wish list with Santa.
. 

Apple.com routinely ranks in the top 50 most visited websites on the web. On November 16, 2010, Apple.com saw enough traffic to take in a hypothetical $75,000/day in ad revenue (not including the $ millions in sales). The website is a big deal from a marketing standpoint.

Apple SVP of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller (and Steve Jobs) are ultimately in charge of what we see or don't see on Apple.com.  Taking a look at Apple's online site, we can see what Apple wants us to buy for the holidays: iPads, Apple TVs, and Apple accessories.  At the surface, this may not necessary seem too noteworthy, but diving a bit deeper, I find some interesting developments.




iPad

Apple's online website November 16, 2010

Apple TV

Apple's online website November 16, 2010

So Apple is highlighting two of its newer products for the holidays and both are priced to sell (let us keep the macbook air's pricing out of this discussion).  iPad's $499 base price is making it a compelling choice for many (with some families picking up more than one). Meanwhile Apple TV's $99 price tag is priced for an impulse purchase. Chances are good that you will walk into an Apple store and walk away with an Apple TV without ever intending to spend any money. $99 will do that to you.   The same behavior can't be said with a $1000+ macbook pro, which most likely involves weeks (or months) of debating and comparing before deciding to buy.

Few other interesting tidbits from Apple.com's holiday product placement:

1) We are still only at the first generation iPad.  iPad distribution  (Target, Walmart, AT&T, Verizon, Sam's) is massive for a first generation product. iPhone adoption really didn't take off until iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. Apple's aggressive marketing for iPad continues. Apple wants to get as much of a first-mover advantage as possible before competitors enter the tablet space.  Will people part ways with $499+ during the holidays to buy iPad? It still remains to be seen. I think $499 is a lot to spend for one gift, but its tough to contain iPad's popularity.

2) Is Apple TV still a hobby?  Are good sales surprising Apple?  Steve Jobs mentioned 250,000 Apple TVs were sold in the first 18 days. Apple is marketing Apple TV more than the first gen Apple TV, but still less than other Apple products.  Google TV is struggling and content to view on Apple TV is still lacking.  I think Apple has a few ways in mind to take Apple TV forward.  Give it time and let a few million Apple TVs get sold before improving the experience.

So the company known for its Macs and iPhones wants us to buy iPads and Apple TVs for the holidays. All I know is most (if not all) of Apple's products will make popular gifts in the coming weeks.