I like products that work. I am not a fan boy.
Thankfully.
I think Microsoft did a great job with Windows 7. It’s an excellent operating system and consumers agree as Microsoft’s earnings have increased since its release.
At the same time, I purchased my first Apple computer this year (21.5″ iMac) and I love using it. I had various iPod’s over the years including the iPod touch which I thought was a great device.
The headline is not indicative of any bias. It’s merely reality.
Unlike Android phones which have cut into Apple’s share of the smartphone market, the late comers to the tablet market don’t stand a chance. This is a time when Apple’s control over content and what devices content can be delivered to (their own) will win out.
Here are 3 reasons I think it’s a done deal.
Price
Expectations may have been set high on purpose with everybody expecting the iPad to start at $700-$800. When it was announced the lowest priced one would start at $499, many people were surprised, including me. The new Dell Streak is going to cost $300. Sounds good except its screen size (5 inches) is nearly half that of the iPad.
Conformity
By conforming to rigid standards, the iPad stands out. With the iPad and the apps designed specifically for it, this gives the Apple device a leg up on the others which feature a plethora of OSes. Some have the Android OS, but older versions. RIM and HP (Palm) have their own OSes but both are optimized for smartphones. Toshiba has a dual screen tablet running Windows 7, but where are the apps?
The psychological edge
Ask anybody that makes a living in marketing or branding and they’ll tell confirm the psychological aspect to it. Although Apple is not the first company to come up with touch devices, it is associated with their products. They did the same thing with mp3 players. How many times have you heard somebody refer to a generic mp3 player as an ‘ipod’? When I think of Dell, I automatically equate it with Windows, not Android. Because Apple was first out of the gate, they have a strong advantage. While everybody else will be pushing out their first tablets, Apple is no doubt working on their second.
If there is one complaint some people have made about the iPad, it’s been that it is too large to be a reader people want to carry around. Well, if the rumors are true, Apple will come out with the ‘Mini iPad.’ Problem solved.
What do you think?
[images: aresauburn, Cameron Cassan, boetter]
Chris Martin says
I finally convinced my wife that “we needed” an iPad and picked up a 16gb iPad wifi a couple of weeks ago. So far I am loving it. The most advantageous use I have for it is taking notes. Mostly in evernote. I also enjoy Madden 11 and Netflix.
One of the things I am having trouble overcoming is the lack of text formatting.
Overall, I feel it has helped my productivity, organization, and creativity.
JayCaruso says
As a photographer, I have been itching to get one. I even read an article where some creative directors and art buyers would rather you bring in a portfolio on an iPad than the usual printed portfolio.
I like that Netflix is on it as well.
Dano Hart says
The title should be changed to “may” instead of “will”. The jury is still deciding the winner of the tablet space.
The Dell Streak shouldn’t even be associated with tablets. But that is just bad marketing on Dell’s part. But I am seeing amazing advertising from Samsung promoting their Galaxy S Phones that are running the Android OS. So I think they may be able to really shine in the marketing dept.
And as for Apps being made for a tablet, major Android Devs are working on getting their applications to look amazing on higher resolution screens, and some are out already that scale really well. But I think we have to see the “tablet compatible” applications when there is actually an Android tablet out there.
JayCaruso says
Well, the title is indicative of a prediction I am making. It’s certainly possible my prediction will be wrong. It won’t be the first time. 🙂
Your point about advertising is well taken. I think it is going to take a very well executed marketing plan from somebody to pitch a tablet based device that will steal market share from Apple. It’s going to be different than the smartphone battle. Verizon and Motorola were able to benefit from people like me who didn’t want to deal with AT&T merely to get an iPhone. So I now I am the happy owner of a Droid X.
Graham says
I completely agree with you. I’m currently crafting a blog post about these OSes in my head. I’ve noticed a lot of people complaining that they can’t install whatever app they want on iOS. Even though congress say they have the right… they do not have the ability (sans jailbreaking). I submit that they don’t know what they want. What makes iOS so attractive, and what you alluded to here, is that they have a closed app market. Like you said… their apps are specifically designed for their 3 touch screen devices.
JayCaruso says
It’s an interesting paradox. Apple’s strict control of their app store is a hindrance in that many good apps get rejected (and for no good reason) but also keeps things clean and simple.
BenJPickett says
I think that the Toshiba has a sweet spot, as with other Windows 7 tablets in the works. Running a full OS with a USB port negates the need for an app store thanks to cheap USB DVD-RW’s. This IMO is where the iPad fails; it’s big enough and powerful enough to be it’s own machine and beyond the initial use of it I felt like I was playing with a large iPod touch.
Let’s take note that Apple already does have another iPad lined up, it wouldn’t be like them if they didn’t. It will probably also have a few other features the first should have had. And with plenty of articles like this on http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20012495-37.html floating around, I would be surprised if the news was a shock to anyone. After all Apple is smart enough to know if they don’t give their faithful minions a reason to upgrade, only a small handful of the die-hards actually will.
JayCaruso says
I understand your thoughts regarding USB and being able to install apps. That works for those of us who are not concerned about doing it that way. But many consumers want simplicity. Tap a button, search for an app, pay for it (or not), install and go. It’s different than searching for the software you want, going to the site, downloading it to a USB stick and then transferring it over to your tablet. It’s a simple process but in today’s instant delivery world, it might seem to be tedious to many people.
But like I said in another comment I could certainly be wrong and in fact, I hope I am.
BenJPickett says
Absolutely the iPad has and will continue to thrive, it seems in recent times all of Apples products do very well. The app store is a simple and successful model. However, there is the group of users, such as myself, that really don’t enjoy spending hundreds to own a product that holds such a large flag of what it can do and then you find out what it can’t. Now with Apple it’s no big surprise what you can’t do, they integrate all of their ultra mobile devices by using iTunes which is a win for the consumers because it’s familiar.
The iPad owns the tablet space right now. Because it’s the only real known, publicized, advertised tablet. However, if it’s going to stay there it will have to do more. It needs to be a Macbook with a touch screen and no keyboard. I don’t see being a large, glorified iPod keeping the iPad above the onslaught of upcoming tablets running Windows 7 that can run Adobe CS5 well, hook up to an HDTV or projector with an HDMI output, make calls from Skype while on the road, and could you imagine touch screen CoD?
Apple right now has growth and they have control. Those 2 things can’t coexist together for a long period of time.