Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 18th Jan 2013 15:42 UTC
"In December, the Google Nexus made by Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc. accounted for 44.4% of all tablet sales by volume electronics retailers. That's according to a survey of 2,400 stores nationwide by market research firm BCN Inc., released Wednesday. Google's figure beat Apple's 40.1% share, dethroning the iPad for the first time since it went on sale in May 2010." Just as I and many others with me predicted, what happened in the smartphone market will also happen in the tablet market: Android will take the numbers, iOS will take the figures (i.e., profit). As far as I know, this is the first time this has actually materialised fully in a market, though. Also, while it was inevitable that Android would overtake iOS on tablets (even if it is just a single country, for now), I don't think anyone predicted it would be a single model? Colour me impressed (which is pink).
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Member since:2008-11-25
However, Google are the ones who rapidly improve their products. Apple have been sitting and marketing minor adjustments.
The ipad mini is rubbish compared to the other mini tablets out here, yet costs more.
Sure, they could up the resolution and the CPU, but then they would need to charge even more to keep their obscene margins, which is not really marketable to intelligent users when the alternatives already offer superior hardware and software at a lower price point.
Your only argument is that the ipad apps are somehow compelling, and that there are people who prefer ios.
Apple's build quality is relatively nice, but I prefer that of Samsung and Asus, so it's not an apple-specific advantage.
I have yet to see any app on the ipad which would make the mini worthwhile. Everything there is either useless bling, or would work far better on the larger version.
It seems to me that most of these apps are just useless, like apps for websites instead of just using a browser and RSS reader.
Member since:2006-02-15
I have yet to see any app on the ipad which would make the mini worthwhile. Everything there is either useless bling, or would work far better on the larger version.
I don't really see how Android's app selection is much different. I mean, there's a small amount of good, worthwhile apps for both operating systems and then there's truckloads of crap ones -- Android is no exception.
Member since:2005-11-29
However, Google are the ones who rapidly improve their products. Apple have been sitting and marketing minor adjustments.
That's interesting. I find iOS to be an infinitely more consistent and pleasing ecosystem to use. Things just work. Apps are just there.
On Android, things might work, and apps might be there if your phone/tablet is the right model. Also performance can be all over the map.
The ipad mini is rubbish compared to the other mini tablets out here, yet costs more.
Sure, they could up the resolution and the CPU, but then they would need to charge even more to keep their obscene margins, which is not really marketable to intelligent users when the alternatives already offer superior hardware and software at a lower price point.
Did Apple have to charge more to keep the iPad's margins when they upped its CPU and resolution? Apple has the best supply chain set up in the world, their economy of scale and content subsidization makes them more than capable of differentiating on spec.
If anything, no non-Apple OEM save for maybe Microsoft with the Surface has been able to use something other than mediocre build quality.
I wouldn't bet against Apple being able to out-maneuver other OEMs when it comes to manufacturing and build quality. They can make a better looking and feeling tablet and still stay at the price they need to be at. That, and their ecosystem, is how they'll win.
Your only argument is that the ipad apps are somehow compelling, and that there are people who prefer ios.
Apple's build quality is relatively nice, but I prefer that of Samsung and Asus, so it's not an apple-specific advantage.
I have yet to see any app on the ipad which would make the mini worthwhile. Everything there is either useless bling, or would work far better on the larger version.
I don't think you not seeing use in something means that use is not there. In fact, I'm convinced your wrong. The Android ecosystem, especially for tablets, doesn't compare to the iPad ecosystem. Its not even remotely close.
Member since:2009-05-19
Member since:2006-06-09
Features
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/18/13 21:33 UTC
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
Linked by David Adams on 05/16/13 4:23 UTC
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/11/13 21:41 UTC
"Windows is indeed slower than other operating systems in many scenarios, and the gap is worsening." That's one way to start an insider explanation of why Windows' performance isn't up to snuff. Written by someone who actually contributes code to the Windows NT kernel, the comment on Hacker News, later deleted but reposted with permission on Marc Bevand's blog, paints a very dreary picture of the state of Windows development. The root issue? Think of how Linux is developed, and you'll know the answer.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/08/13 14:22 UTC
This is one of those news items that's fun to write, fun to read, fun to comment on, and where no one will be able to say anything unkind. It's all just one big ball of awesome fluffiness. TuneTracker, the BeOS radio automation software, has just released something very special: TuneTracker System 5, the first version designed entirely and specifically for Haiku. In fact, it actually includes Haiku in the software package. Better yet, TuneTracker also unveiled several system-in-a-box products - which have Haiku and TuneTracker pre-installed.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/02/13 15:28 UTC
Exactly twenty years ago, a document was published that played a huge role in establishing the web as we know it today. Twenty years later, and this simple and straightforward document is proof of an irrefutable fact: while closed technologies can change markets, open technologies can change the world.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/29/13 21:06 UTC
Oh multitasking. That staple of computing that got thrown out the window with many modern smartphones. We got some rudimentary thing in its place - but even as multitasking on phone and tablets improves, its user-visible side remains cumbersome. Windows 8 has a neat implementation, and now it's time Android follows in it footsteps.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/24/13 22:24 UTC
They're here! Whether that excites you or not remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S4, which will most likely become the best selling Android smartphone of the year by a huge margin, has been reviewed by all the major sites, and there's lots of interesting conclusions in there - although I think most of you will get the gist.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/18/13 11:21 UTC
Nokia has posted its quarterly results for the first quarter of 2013, and just like the quarters that came before, there's not a whole lot of good news in there. The rise in Lumia sales still can't even dream of making up for the sales drop in Symbian phones, and when broken down in versions, the sales figures for Windows Phone 8 Lumias in particular are very disappointing. In North America, Nokia is getting slaughtered.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/16/13 9:29 UTC
The day has finally come: Google has started shipping Google Glass to the lucky few early adopters. Now that it's shipping, Google has also unveiled a lot more about the API and the specifications of the device itself. While the company had already given out substantial details at earlier occasions, there are still a few surprises here.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/15/13 22:44 UTC
Almost exactly three years ago, I wrote about why OSNews was no longer OSNews: the alternative operating system scene had died, and OSNews, too, had to go with the times and move towards reporting on a new wave of operating systems - mobile, and all the repercussions that the explosion of smartphones and tablets have caused. Still, I was wondering something today: why aren't we seeing alternative operating systems on mobile?More Features »
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Member since:
2005-11-29
Maybe customers are just thinking before they buy.
The ipad mini will sell well, just because it is apple, but it will never get anywhere near the success of the iPod, iPhone or ipad.
I guess you'd be right, if we lived in a vacuum and nothing ever changed. In fact, I specifically address your very point in my original comment.
The iPad Mini, given time to be iterated on, will prove to be a very attractive offering from Apple.
I don't think Apple wants to participate in a price war to the bottom, and I think that customers will be willing to pay a premium (like they do for iPhones) for an iPad Mini. Key differentiators being build quality, ecosystem maturity, and OS preference.