Not if our un-scientific sampling of about 30 tourists here in Times Square is any indication. Of the folks we spoke to on a recent late afternoon and evening, only a handful expressed interest in upgrading.
The new Air is a thinner and lighter iPad model, starting at $499, while this year's Mini adds sharper Retina display.
"I've had Apple products since I was this tall, and it's the first time they've come up with something I didn't care about," says Mitch Soileau of New Orleans. "It's thinner, it's smaller, but my original iPad wasn't that heavy to begin with."
"I got an iPad last year," says Emily Song, of San Francisco. "No reason to upgrade to the new one."
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Emily Song of San Francisco is happy with her wifi for the iPad--doesn't feel the need to upgrade to the wireless carriers cellular plans.(Photo: By Eli Blumenthal)
After cracking the screen of his second generation iPad, however, Scott Rome of Chicago is looking forward to the new model. "It has the crisp display….I just want the new one."
Separately, the wireless carriers are encouraging consumers to buy the new iPads from them and commit to a 2 -year cellular service contract to have 24/7 Internet service for the iPad.
AT&T is the most aggressive, offering $100 off the price of an iPad, with a 2-year service contract that ranges from $5 to $50 monthly. On the other side of the spectrum, T-Mobile says it will offer a scant 20! 0 MB of space free, for folks who use T-Mobile wireless services, without a contract. Once the 200 MB is used up, T-Mobile's rate plans start at $5 monthly
Neither deal excites Song, who doesn't see the hassle of signing up. "I have Wi-Fi on my iPad, it's how I use it. Also, you can power Internet from your phone, using a personal hit spot."
Follow Jefferson Graham on Twitter: @jeffersongraham.
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