Apple is headed back to school with a smart mission

Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook is an avid exponent of value-based entrepreneurship, an idea he has propagated quite often. Cook, who for instance did not mince words while criticising Facebook (FB) chief Mark Zuckerberg for the alleged data leak, is someone who believes in walking the talk.

No wonder the man who leads the world’s most popular gadget brand chose to hold the latest launch event at a school – an unlikely venue considering the high-octane product events organized by the company in the past.

However, the strategy behind launching the revised student version of iPad after losing out to Google’s Chromebooks in the initial attempt is evident. The company wants to recapture the lost market, while also proclaiming its commitment to serving the education sector.

Another technology firm which is strengthening its foothold in the lucrative education market is Microsoft (MSFT) by successfully pushing Office 365, the student version of MS Office, to a wide clientele.

While a comprehensive digital shift in school education is appreciable, there should be an effective mechanism to keep a tab on the commercial interests involved. It is a fact that knowledge sharing flourishes better when the whole process is rooted in ethical values.

This week, Apple launched the revised version of the iPad designed for students at an event held in Chicago

Companies that provide various education technologies should refrain from making attempts to lure the children through their usual strategies, which often involve aggressive promotional activities.

There is no doubt that Apple’s latest school initiative has put students at the advantage of being able to choose between the iPad and Chromebooks. Moreover, the ‘Schoolwork’ and ‘Everyone Can Create’ apps come in handy for teachers in using the iPad effectively for the students’ benefit.

The company has been at it for quite some time, and the groundwork for the re-entry hit a key milestone when it re-engineered the OS to allow multiple students to access the 9.7-inch iPad.

The event held at Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago was unique for the single launch, which marked a departure from Apple’s usual practice of introducing multiple products at a single event. Meanwhile, those who expected a new version of MacBook Air and a revamped iPhone were disappointed. Unlike in the past, the event was devoid of any big surprises.