Posted on 03/07/2011 6:07:21 PM PST by Swordmaker
Ever since Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2, people have busy trying to compare his statements to the truth, especially this one:
“Many have said (iPad) is the most successful consumer product ever launched. Over 90% market share and our competitors were flummoxed.”
Where was Steve getting this 90% market share data point? Strategy Analytics showed iPad’s market share at 75% in 4Q10 and falling fast.
The thing about Steve Jobs is that he rarely outright lies, instead opting to look at data in a way that he thinks makes most sense and which contains some shred of validity. I don’t think Steve was far off from the truth saying iPad had 90% market share. Using conservative figures and assumptions, I calculate iPad’s tablet market share at 90% in 4Q10, and nearly 95% for 2010.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
It just needs a really good handwriting software.
“They said there was no market for a product that is between a smartphone and a laptop but is neither.”
I am probably the millionth person to ask this, but what is this market?
I’m not trying to be a wiseguy, but am curious about the reasons for having an iPad, considering the existence of laptops and iPhones.
Complete, go anywhere connectivity in a larger but very handy form factor. Very simple, almost brain-dead intuitive to use for the marginally computer literate, but extended via a large universe of apps, miniature applications, for a wide variety of surprising uses that have genuine utility, in both consumer and business realms. GPS built in, music player, laptop replacement ... the only thing it’s not is a cell phone, and there are those who use them for even that. It’s the ultimate portable platform with a screen large enough to be truly useful.
So, would you be ok with having an iPad without a laptop?
I see.
It seems that much of the iPad’s value comes from commercial uses. Is that correct?
You shouldn’t feed the N00bs. Let them fend for themselves.
And Mac numbers are up as well. Why? People like me for example, liked what we saw in the iPhone, and bought a Mac. I like em now. Didn’t used to. But that was way back in the day. Now I can get a command line, and it comes with development tools, and it just works.
I’ve spent too many years putting out Windows fires. I just want something that works. I still have my Linux machines to keep my hand in things, but for some things, I just want it to work.
I have an iPhone and three Mac desktops but no lap top or iPad.
As best as I can determine, the big market is for business uses for those who work a lot out of the office. Unlike most laptops that preceded the iPad, it can access the internet and do more that just send and receive emails etc. And there is the GPS aspect of it although it certainly did not pioneer that nor is it alone in the market.
However, as bad as I hate to play into the naysayer’s hands, it is just cool and people like to play with it. All the swiping and turning and other operational tricks one does to use it makes it cool. It is small enough to make it a large iPod and it has iPhoto, etc. Oh yeah, a two way camera. There are lots of things you can do with it whether for work, play, or personal.
Interesting
Sounds like some sort of feminine product.
“As best as I can determine, the big market is for business uses for those who work a lot out of the office.”
That makes a lot of sense.
I actually only have a laptop and non-smartphone myself, but am curious about technology.
It seems to me that eventually, everybody will have a smartphone, a laptop, and a tv that does all the things iPod and laptops do such as go online. All three devices would be the same, except for the difference of size. Laptops for personal use, smartphones for portable use, and tv sets for family or communal use.
Is this the way most techno people think the future will be?
Why are so many companies imitating Apple's iPad this year?
The Motorola Xoom is only the very first among many tablet computers running Google Android 3.0 ("Honeycomb")
You might be interested in what Jason Kincaid has to say about the Xoom: http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/05/ipad-2-xoom-fight/. Kincaid is a big Android fan. After shelling out $800 for a Xoom plus a required carrier activation, he found the experience underwhelming. He said, "I think it stinks."
I think you have to remember that when the iPad first came out in April 2010, people noted at once it felt like an iPod touch writ large, complete with the limitations of the version of iOS at the time (3.2 I believe). The iPad didn't really start to get useful until iOS 4.2.1 became available in November 2010.
There are persistent rumors that Apple may preview iOS 5.0 very soon--it's supposed to have a much-improved interface and will be part of iPhone 5 when that ships in July 2011. Don't be surprised that iOS 5.0 allows for display resolution independence, which will pave the way for both the iPhone and iPad to support far high resolutions in the future on the device displays.
In my opinion, it's the "lightweight portable" market. People who want/need a computer with them wherever they go, butwho don't need it to be a full-powered or -featured machine, preferring battery life and ease of use instead.
I think Apple succeeded where others failed in the tablet market because they didn't try to make a "desktop replacement" but focused on the things that mobile users are really after -- they are generally content consumers, not content creators.
Technology also helps. The iPad's graphics are stunning, all the more so when you consider its battery life. Apple's general push toward the "cloud" model means you can get by with less "stuff" stored on the machine, so flash memory replaces platter drives, making it lighter, quieter, more reliable, and using less power. Network technology has advanced that accessing content over wireless or 3G is good enough so that you really don't need a whole lot stored on the device.
Now, personally, I have an iPhone and see little need for an iPad for myself (though I can imagine a lot of practical uses for people in other fields, and, of course, it would be a neat toy if I could afford it). My next computer purchase is probably going to be a MacBook Air because I am a content creator while traveling, more so than I am a consumer.
Since the numbers come from the sales and marketing folks, I thought suspicion was a given.
I think I understand the market better now
PC-centric friend and I decide to go to Best Buy to check out the Xoom. First warning sign, there isn’t one on dispay. Blue shirt approaches and asks if we could use help. Friend says we are looking for a Xoom.
“We have one over here to demo.”
“Do you have any for sale?”
“No.”
Friend looks smug. “So you sold out?”
“No, we only received three. One for display, two for sale.”
“You sold the other two already?”
“Yes, but one came back.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t play Flash. The guy says he’ll be back on Friday to pick up the new iPad. Says, if it doesn’t play Flash, he might as well get one that has apps and costs less.”
“Can I buy the one that came back?”
“The guy tried to download several droid apps and the computer is hopelessly locked up. We have to wipe it and reinstall the OS, but we haven’t received clear instructions on how to do that.”
After a few more minutes of the Xoom reputation sinking lower and lower into the muck, my friend decided it was time to leave.
“We can go look at the iPad 2 on Saturday, if you want.”
All I received as an answer was a look that could kill...
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