Video Spoofs Tim Cook’s Convergence Putdown: Froaster

Tim Cook’s recent comments that dismissed the idea of convergence, the physical merging of the MacBook line and the iPad, have people talking. One company, Brydge, that’s actually working on a convergence product has roasted Mr. Cook’s notion with its own video spoof: the Froaster.

iPadLaptopDuring the April 24, 2012 Apple Financial Results Conference Call, Tim Cook responded to an analyst question about a possible Apple hybrid product, one that can be used as both a MacBook and an iPad. He responded:

Well, I think anything can be forced to merge. But the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs. And you begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn’t please anyone. And you can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but, you know, those thing are — are probably not going to be pleasing to the user.”

Brydge, a San Francisco company, has already raised over US$400.000 to launch its “iPad laptop” at kickstarter.com. They’ve responded to the convergence putdown with a keen sense of humor.

Here’s their “Froaster” video in typical Apple style.

A product that adds a keyboard to the iPad and makes it look just like a MacBook may be just what a lot of people want, either for practical or aesthetic reasons. However, if Mr. Cook’s comments are taken at face value, Apple itself is going to let convergence products remain an add-on market — at least for now.

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iPad Laptop image credit: Brydge