Apple iPad Sales Growth Rate to Drop by an Order of Magnitude

No matter what results Apple turns in for the first quarter of 2013, controversy will swirl around the company and its fortunes. A loss of several hundred billion in market capitalization will do that.

At least according to eMarketer, the order of magnitude projected slowing of iPad sales in the U.S. market is one worry. 

Observers are looking for the next big thing from Apple, and there is growing concern about just how disruptive the next product category can be. 

Some worry that Apple does not promise "new products" until the fall of 2013. Some would say that is a long time in the consumer technology business. On the other hand, if Apple is planning an assault on entirely new categories, getting it right is important. 

If you have a hard time imagining a "magical" TV or wearable computer, you probably are not alone. It has been a while since Apple introduced a product that flopped, like Newton, or simply has failed to capture the imagination (Apple TV). 

What comes next might be quite important, and it will be important that Apple gets it right. It seems hard to believe a "new and improved iPhone" is going to do it.