Are things really this bleak for Apple competitors?
lol...hardly.
I don’t think so. Apple brought out the Iphone and, it took a while, but now there are many phones like Iphones.
In all markets, there has always been a breakout product that nobody can touch, but eventually all the competitors always catches up.
So, assuming that others don’t quit the market, they will eventually catch up.
Especially now that Apple doesn’t have the advantage of Steve Jobs.
There’s always room for someone to make a product that’s a little worse and cheaper.
But there will be a lot of folks competing for that space.
Anyone can build a tablet. Apple just has the prettiest display at the moment.
btw, the iPhone is going down hard in about 6-8 months. You’ll see. When windows 8 and windows phones are up to full speed there will be nothing to stand in Microsoft’s way.
Simple answer is no. This death of the PC talk is foolish...tablets are horrible for productivity. I have the original Asus Transformer with the keyboard attachment...it is in no way a replacement for my desktop/laptop experience.
I for one prefer non-Apple products because I like to “tinker” and “modify”. Apple’s closed systems don’t give me the flexibility I like in this area. Apple makes a fine product. I’ve got nothing against them or the iPad. But some Apple fans need to put down the Kool-Aid...
I’d rather have an Asus Transformer Prime.
If windows 8 flops then yes they are in trouble. If it’s a hit then no.
Bought a Blackberry Playbook for my wife. A professional tablet with security. New operating system came out a week later. WOW.
What a great tablet.
Flash works with the browser. HD quality video. Android apps are now coming into the app store.
Built like a tank — don’t ask how I know.
If you own a Blackberry phone, the combination is terrific.
However, if you job requires more graphic capability, such as medical imaging, then the iPad2 is a better choice. Bigger screen.
Just my 2 cents worth.
See any ChromeBooks?
It iPod scenario is much closer than that of the iPhone. There is simply no competitor to the iPad especially with the new screen and 4G. Technology is only part of the equation. Ease of use, predictability, application options, compatibility, and yes battery life are essential elements of the iPads success.
Flew today from Atlanta to Minneapolis and there were only two Kindles in ten rows, twenty-iPads and any other device being used were smartphones, a few, and PC’s or Macs.
I have been tracking use since Christmas both as an indicator of direction and interest. I talk with older passengers who have never liked technology and almost all love the iPad.
Windows 8 has great potential but it may be too late once it arrives. Too many corporate buyers have settled on the iPad and the companies have developed custom apps.
Technology centric people will like Android devices but those who want to get work done will buy iPads.
Not mentioned so far is that AAPL owns the supply chain. Competitors need to have access to the same parts in the same quanities, but they cannot buy what is already sold to AAPL.
Catalogue makers want high-res displays for their products - only the new iPad offers resoultions equalling high end print, medical professionals have already snapped up quanities of iPad 2s but the new iPad will make their 10K desktop an antique. Would you rather a doctor looks at your x-rays on an android, ansus or on some crappy 4bit tablet display?
A million more pixels than an HD TV is saying something.
Then there is the USAF buying 18,000 of them.
One must keep in mind all those vaunted competitors are up against the largest compay in history.
And that compay makes its own hardware while the competitors buy off-the-shelf componets - meaning it just a question of who connects which part to another in which order - they are all the same thing, with only the OS and other software to distinguish them freom each other.
I think the competitors were so busy making cheap stuff that when the iPad showed up, they were fast asleep and only now are trying to rose themselves only to find they have been Left Behind :)
Main selling points:
1) It’s heavier now.
2) “Made in China”.
I sure want to spend a lot of money on one.
/s
I have an iPad and love this freaking thing. It’s worth triple what it costs.
Yes! The Apple Lisa will cream Windows 3.2, and Apple will take over the consumer PC market! They will own WYSIWYG!
Oh, wait... did I skip a few years...? ;)
I seriously doubt that I’ll ever own an Apple anything.
Just remember, The Early Bird may get the worm, but the Second Mouse gets the cheese.
I used to think it was about technology. But recently, it seems to be more about some sort of religion and the heretics must be suppressed.
Personally, I'm an agnostic. I don't have a Mac or an I-phone... but maybe I will jump to that soon --- just to be a heretic. :~)).
Android and guess who owns it.
Hey Swordmaker, you might find this one interesting....
Apple initially WAS a computer company built founded around their operating system.
What they have grown into is a HARDWARE company.
Jonty30 already said it when he stated, "eventually all the competitors always catches up".
Apple will have many competitors and like the once exclusive IBM Company they will eventually fall into the ranks of the also-rans.
It's a fact of life, part of the cycle, and INEVITABLE.