Samsung is about to release its counterpart to the Apple iPad: the Q1 Mobile Internet Device.
Posted on 03/18/2010 12:38:38 AM PDT by myknowledge
Samsung exec says the iPad is just a jumped-up mobile Internet device, with lack of processing power and connectivity being key drawbacks.
While Samsung’s skunkworks team is busy designing the company’s own slate-based tablet, the Korean electronics colossus has described the iPad as a niche product with limited functionality.
Speaking at the Samsung Forum in Singapore, the director of Samsung Australia’s IT division, Philip Newton, said the future of mobile computing lay with netbooks and Atom-powered slates which offered processing power and connectivity than the iPad.
“A lot of companies have played in the MID (mobile Internet device) market and done a very average job and the iPad, which is a glorified MID, just takes that to the next level.”
“The problems I see with the iPad are its processing power and (lack of) connectivity to a certain extent” Newton said.
“From my point of view, the iPad is essentially an ebook reader with wireless connectivity but no inputs and outputs. I do feel that that slate-type platform has legs but I think the legs need to be far more powerful, for example an Atom-based product which has far greater flexibility, not to mention inputs and outputs. This has more potential than an iPad.”
Newton admitted that the iPad “has its niche” and would provide “an opportunity for the market to expand and accept different products that do different things”.
But netbooks and other devices built around a more standard platform of low-voltage Intel silicon and common IO ports “will be the future of mobile computing, especially because of the processing power.”
“What I’d suggest is the difference between an iPad and an ebook is not massive, and they all have their place, but the larger scale will come from more connected products higher up the tree” Newton told APC.
“There is assuredly a good market for iPads, but there is an even broader market for consumers who want an iPad format but also want more functionality, more grunt, more IO, because while the ARM-based processor in the iPad is a great chip it’s not designed for crunching spreadsheets and all those other things that the traditional notebook does.”
“There will always be the crowd of people who will want their traditional clamshell notebook, and they will continue to be the majority of the market for some time. But as we move forward, bringing some of that functionality into a slate product is from our point of view a no-brainer.”
David Flynn attended the Samsung Forum 2010 in Singapore as a guest of Samsung.
Samsung is about to release its counterpart to the Apple iPad: the Q1 Mobile Internet Device.
Although technically correct, Samsung fails with regard to its poor understanding of product / interface design and aesthetics.
They also forgot to factor in the Apple fanboy culture.
That said, yes, the iPad is a glorified MID.
Look out for HP’s tablet, and also this other thing called the Adam, from Notion Ink - they use a unique Pixel Qi display, which allows the device to function as a long-lasting ebook reader, as well as a full-colour LCD tablet, at the same time.
Don't forget the Microsoft Courier.
I think the Samsung needs a few more buttons. Good Lord, is that actually a product they expect anyone to buy?
I think the Samsung needs a few more buttons. Good Lord, is that actually a product they expect anyone to buy?
Courier is tempting, but two screens are going to make it uncompetitive for the market, and besides, dual screens are not really apt for a computer interface. As an ebook reader, yes, but I don’t think Microsoft is looking into Pixel Qi technology for it. Traditional LCDs are a reource drain, and two of them on a portable device is bloody battery murder.
Of all the ones I have seen so far, the most impressive by far has got to be the Courier. Here is hoping it lives up to expectations.
The dual screens allow for one to be used as a virtual keyboard in clamshell configuration.
This should extend the life of the product, since wear on mechanical keyboarsds is a high failure point in todays “No moving parts” low power portables.
Someone at CES had a prototype where one of the screens was E-Ink, but I can’t recall who.
How long is the battery supposed to last on the iPad ?
And how does the external keyboard work when it has no USB or other connections ? Does it use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly ? I don’t really see the iPad ever replacing laptops for serious business use, but having a real keyboard would be nice.
The iPad has the same deficiencies as the iPhone — 1) very very limited multi-tasking (probably just with iPod, recorder, etc.); 2) no Adobe flash and won’t play Windows media files. The first problem is like going back to DOS days. The second eliminates a large chunk of the internet. Besides that, there’s no camera.
Look at how it is being held. I think Samsung is trying to use familiarity with hand held games and game controllers to create an easy adaptation to their new device.
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