something tells me that this family does not have the $79 Kindles... no way...
I got an I-Pad as a gift about 18 months ago....I love it, but I find it is really for entertainment. There is no place for file storage, like a computer, so I use both.
/johnny
The real reason is the drop in discretionary spending money.
Also convertibles and hybrids I don’t think count as tablets...so those are probably hurting the trending in this chart.
IMO innovation (or the lack of) is killing tablets. Most tablets boast slower processers and poorer cameras than their same-brand, same-generation smartphone counterparts. Screen size is the only practical differentiator.
Here’s my take. Phone demand remains constant because phones go through more wear and tear and get outdated more quickly. I almost always NEED to replace a phone every two years because I wear it out. I have a two year old iPad right now with zero need to upgrade.
I think the author has a point, too. There isn’t a NEED for tablets in the same way as phones. A husband and wife may decide they need two phones, but many will have one tablet. Or none.
I don't have room in my pockets for a phone, kindle, tablet, Franklinm Planner and a laptop. Give me something akin to an electronic Clipboard that does laptop/tablet functions and a phone and be done with it. Also allow a flexible membrane-ish keyboard and an pen or mouse option for us troglodytes :-)
World economy tanking and with it the disappearance of discretionary income. No surprise people spend less on items like this.
This is a prime example of using charts to make something that is good look bad.
Saturation is the enemy of any market. Who needs a faster and faster tablet when the one they have surfs the net just fine?
It is a bulky camera, a lousy computer, and can not take the place of a phone.
Other than that it is a hybrid looking for a problem. A smart phone can do almost everything a tablet can and is more portable. A laptop can do tons more and is only a bit more bulky and a desk top can have a screen of limitless size and storage.
It is great to watch TV and video when you don’t have a TV or computer.
I’m still using an iPad-1 and have felt no need to upgrade. I still consider my desktop PC to be my “real” computer, and use it for heavy duty use (music editing, movie editing, transferring files to the iPad via iTunes, etc.). I use the iPad to surf the web when I’m outside on the deck smoking a cigar, or when I travel. I use it for Kindle/iBooks when I travel, read comic books on it, etc. Still don’t need to upgrade it.
One potential reason might be that one can get a laptop for the price of a tablet.
I still don’t have either one.
G
I've looked at the newer versions, but the one I have is still great for my needs, so I don't see a reason to buy another one just yet.
Maybe the "analysts" incorrectly figured that tablet users would be like iPhone users... compelled to upgrade every single time there's a new version.
I have a kindle on which I read books, play games and surf FR. I do prefer the desk top computer for FR when I am home. I am, however, burned out on electronics. I have a cell phone, but limit it’s usage to texting ahd phone calls. But, it’s almost summer and nothing beats actually being outdoors in nature. A tablet, can’t allow one to commune with nature, you just have to put it down and walk outside to do that.
Tablets are toys. They don’t really have much practical use at all. The few businesses I have seen with them (mainly restaurants), it takes forever for the waiter to type in or select the order, when they could write it down easier and quicker. Some guys I work with use them, mainly audio guys who can control the board as they walk around the room. Not very professional/practical, more just a cool toy to use with everything.
They aren’t big enough to do many tasks, so you need a laptop or bigger. They are useless for gaming, except for phone games like tetris or fruit ninja. They are too big to take the place of your phone, and aren’t nearly as portable.