Apple iOS tablet Ping!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Posted on 01/08/2014 12:35:28 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Despite receiving support from nearly all of its hardware partners, Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT ) Windows 8 has yet to catch on as a tablet operating system. Last July, Microsoft took a $900 million writedown on its Surface tablet. Though sales have improved, Windows tablets remain largely in the minority -- IDC's most recent data shows Microsoft's operating system with just 3.4% of the global tablet market.
But even that modest success could soon unravel. Both Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL ) and Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF ) appear poised to aggressively target the enterprise tablet market in 2014, perhaps the only market where Windows tablets have an advantage.
Samsung unveils the Galaxy Note Pro at CES
Samsung has been a longtime Microsoft partner, manufacturing and selling a number of Windows 8-powered tablets under the ATIV brand.Yet, its lineup of new devices could dampen demand for Windows tablets, particularly among business users.
At CES this week, Samsung unveiled its "Galaxy Pro" tablets -- a family of Android-powered tablets aimed at enterprise users. The flagship device sports a 12.2-inch screen, but Samsung is also selling Pro tablets in 8.4- and 10.1-inch variations. Regardless of the size, each Pro tablet comes loaded with a number of business-focused apps, as well as a special interface, and a number of productivity features (like the ability to have four app windows open at the same time).
Alongside its Pro tablets, Samsung has created a new business unit -- Samsung Enterprise Services -- a group centered around getting businesses to use Samsung-made mobile devices.
Will Apple roll out an iPad Pro for business users later this year?
Apple is expected to follow Samsung into the larger tablet arena later this year. For months now, various reports have suggested that Apple has a larger iPad in the works -- a variation of its popular tablet, likely to sport a 12- or 13-inch screen. Given Apple's propensity to use the "Pro" moniker with its Macs, Apple's new tablet could, like Samsung's, carry the Pro tag line.
It could also be intended for business use, at least according to analysts at Evercore Partners. They expect the device to ship late in 2014, and be aimed at the enterprise market. Many businesses already use the iPad in some capacity, and offering a larger, beefier version could reinvigorate iPad sales.
Will Windows tablets survive the onslaught?
If Evercore is right, Apple's new iPad could take a toll on Windows 8 tablet sales. Evercore believes Apple will pitch the tablet as sort of a middle ground between a tablet and traditional laptop -- a hybrid device in the mold of Microsoft's own Surface. Given the iPad's established mobile ecosystem, a hybrid device aimed at business users could be far more attractive than any competing device running Microsoft's operating system.
Still, there's one major factor working in Microsoft's favor: Its ownership of Office. Both Apple and Samsung's tablets will not be able to access the full version of Microsoft's dominant office software suite, at least not without streaming it from another PC. In the end, that could limit their adoption among business users.
Regardless, the trend toward larger, "Pro" tablets from both Apple and Samsung should be viewed as a major threat to Microsoft's Windows business, at least in terms of its success as a mobile operating system.
It's a deal-breaking factor, if your place of business relies on Office.
Infrared imager for iPhone:
http://www.flir.com/flirone/
Everything old is new again.. How many times has windows been doomed now ?
Let me look that up on my blackberry.
” Though sales have improved, Windows tablets remain largely in the minority — IDC’s most recent data shows Microsoft’s operating system with just 3.4% of the global tablet market.”
One thing I’ve learned from these tech guys in the media is that they always shoot off their mouths about what is going to happen, and then act surprised when the opposite takes place.
MS is not trying to “win” in a year so they can get the cool kids to like them. They prod along with all of the predictions of doom from these guys until one day you wake up and find that they are about to overtake the people ahead of them. Happened with Windows Server, Xbox, Office, and even Windows Phone in many markets. Windows 8 long ago topped OSX and Linux and only compete with itself.
These so called “analysts” are typically wrong about their predictions. I have owned four different Android tablets and now that I have a Yoga 2 Pro, I only use the tablet on Sundays at church.
Motley Fool has been doing the bidding of the MSFT shorters for years.
Like the motorcar destroyed the demand for buggy whips?
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Yeah, blah, blah, the pc is dead, blah, blah, the laptop is dead, blah, blah, man will never land on the moon, blah blah, Al Quaida is dead, blah blah, The [atomic] bomb will never go off, and I speak as an expert in explosives, blah, blah, God is dead, blah, blah, blah, blah...ad infinitum. Go tweak your linux instance so it runs your virtual Windows machine a little more efficiently.
I just purchased a Samsung Note 2014 edition..other than the screen and apps in the playstore..my RT blows it out of the water for productivity and ease of use. Samsungs iteration of multi window for productivity is laughable at best. The s-pen is cool though.
iPad Pro.
I heard a rumor that Surface Pro 2 tablets were coming with bitlocker as standard
lol
Is the business tablet market really a “larger tablet arena”?
Windows 8 is an abomination. I would advise anyone to stick with Windows 7 instead.
RE: I only use the tablet on Sundays at church.
I hope it’s to read the Bible and not to play games while the sermon is going on... :)
Which windows tablet runs windows 7 ?
No kidding! Had Windows 8 on a new laptop I got last year. Horrible! Just wiped the hard drive and installed Windows 7. So much better. And no, I don't need a tablet, a lap top is as small as I'll ever go.
Quick preface: I come from a “blended” family. Wife uses a Galaxy phone, I use and iPhone. I have an iPad and MacBook Air that I like and use at home. They will never replace my PC’s at work or at my home office. My wife’s Windows 8 Lenovo Yoga cost about the same as the MacBook air and outperforms the Mac. Specs, performance, touchscreen, speed, flexibility, usability, etc. The reason for this long winded intro? Windows 8 software and products are going to continue to gain an increasing market share in homes and in businesses. And unlike the Motley Fool, I am bullish on MSFT (at a good entry price).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.