I'm a physicist, I'm thinking of applying. I am not currently looking for a job, but the positions they are looking to fill seem like a good fit, and I have been considering a career change for a while now.
Without the news-worthiness of the offer of an iPad (which I don't really want), it's unlikely that I would be spurred into even considering looking at their advertisement. Programmers may not come for the free iPad, but people may be enticed to consider the advert just from the noise it makes.
That these are the same people who had their incubator posted on here already gives me the impression that they're enthusiastic and trying to think in new ways. I like their enthusiasm. If you look at what they say, it seems like they're willing to chat to you for 15 minutes just to explore things - I like that they are willing to invest a little time looking for someone and don't require a CV, two references and a covering letter just for an informal enquiry. That's pretty awesome, actually.
Ah, but the iPad made it a news story. Look, this story has 26 points and is currently at the top of the front page. How many extra programmers are going to hear about the opportunity that wouldn't have if it weren't attached to a free iPad?
