February 1: A Landmark Day in Apple’s Journey
On February 1, 2010, tech enthusiasts were abuzz when comedian Stephen Colbert unveiled a prerelease version of the iPad during the Grammy Awards.
“Jay-Z, did one of these not come in your gift bag?” Colbert jokingly taunted from the stage. “Am I somehow more fashionable than you?”
This celebrity teaser was an integral component of Apple’s expansive and effective strategy to generate excitement for its upcoming tablet device.
Colbert Ignites iPad Excitement at the Grammy Awards
Colbert shared with journalists his immediate reaction upon witnessing Apple announce the iPad: “I felt an insatiable desire to have one.” He elaborated on his experience leading up to his Grammmys opening act by stating, “I requested they send me one; I planned to pull it from my pocket during my segment. However, it didn’t stay with me—I received it backstage but had to return it immediately after.” He continued enthusiastically about how impressive he thought the device was.
The unveiling by Apple CEO Steve Jobs just days earlier on January 27 marked this first public appearance of the iPad. Due to Apple’s notorious secrecy regarding their products prior to launch, arrangements for Colbert’s cameo came together remarkably swiftly.
This event is a vivid reminder of how groundbreaking and desirable the original iPad seemed back then. Unlike promotional tactics such as Samsung’s well-publicized selfie moment with its Galaxy Note at a later Oscars ceremony, this instance felt truly authentic rather than simply a marketing ploy—especially given that Colbert is known for being an ardent admirer of Apple products.
A Memorable Launch Event
The inaugural version of the iPad officially became available on April 3rd that year and set records as Apple’s fastest-selling product line ever—achieving sales milestones faster than any previous release by selling over a million units within just under four weeks. By year’s end that number ballooned around approximately twenty-five million units sold worldwide.
Fast forward more than ten years later and we see dramatic advancements within Apple’s tablet offerings. The lineup now includes models like iPad Pro, Air editions, mini variants along with entry-level designs continually becoming lighter while boosting performance capabilities.
Do you recall how sensationally different things were when we first glimpsed what would become such an influential device? Share your thoughts below!