Expensive Signage

In the Apple Store product information is now displayed on iPads. Whether the questions concern a $2,000 computer or a sub-$200 music player, the customer obtains answers from a dedicated page on the adjacent iPad. Although the marketing advantages of an interactive display are readily apparent, it is nevertheless a little startling to see a $500 tablet hawking $150 iPods, like painting a Corolla billboard on the side of a Lexus.

Apple has a stellar history of many more marketing hits than misses, so we're not second-guessing this one. After all, the potential iPod customer may enjoy playing with the tablet so much that he walks out with an iPad instead.