The iPad Becomes the Most Popular Gadget of All Time

The iPad is now officially the best selling tech device in history according to Bernstein Research, who called the iPad "a runaway success of unprecedented proportion" this week.

Over 8.5 million iPads have been sold since the device was made public, with more and more iPads being sold each day around the world. For a device that sold more than 3 million units in its first 3 months on the market, that's not necessarily much of a surprise.

So what has made the iPad so successful? In my opinion, the iPad is so successful because it is one of the first tablet computers to hit the market, and that it appeals to a wide range of different people:

Tech People

Tech people who are obsessed with always having the latest gadget in their hand were among the first in line to pick up an iPad when it hit the market. While on the surface its just a giant iPhone, the iPad appeals to people who want to carry a computer around with them where ever they go, but don't want to be weighed down with a laptop or even a netbook.

Non-Computer Users

The iPad by design is simple to use, and appeals to people such as the elderly who might not necessarily be computer savvy. The iPad lets people check email by simple pressing a button marked "email" and offers a simple interface doing other activities such as looking at photos or browsing the web.

Kids

While we're on the easy front, the iPad is an obvious choice for parents looking for a first computer for their children. The iPad can be loaded with a number of learning games, can be used to surf the web, and can even be used to watch movies in the car during long road trips. While you might not want to leave younger children alone with the device, it can be a great learning tool for them to use as well.

Commuters

If you have a long commute to work, the iPad is a heck of a lot easier to pull out and check your email, sports scores, or look over a presentation, than a laptop is. The iPad also has iBooks, and the Kindle App available for it, making it easy to use as an e-reader for situations where you have a lot of sitting to do.

These are a few of my ideas on what has made the iPad the most popular gadget of all time. What do you think has helped it get there?