Steve Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer
AKA " Monkey - Boy " Developer! Developer! Developer! - Google that and have a look for yourself
He needs to be put out to pasture very soon.
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Regarding the reasons for the success of one device and the failure of the other, there is no mention of the one factor which greatly contributes to the success of the iPad.
Price!!
Yep, low overall cost... starting at $500.
A few years ago that money would have bought you: a pocket pc; cell phone; low-end computer; mp3 player; etc.
Neither the Tablet PC (or the HPC tablets before them) could enter the market below $1000, and that one factor instantly built a wall for potential users who couldn't shell out the bucks.
Price!!
Yep, low overall cost... starting at $500.
A few years ago that money would have bought you: a pocket pc; cell phone; low-end computer; mp3 player; etc.
Neither the Tablet PC (or the HPC tablets before them) could enter the market below $1000, and that one factor instantly built a wall for potential users who couldn't shell out the bucks.
I mean sure, your typical apple lovers would have bought it even if it required a mortgage, but the vast majority of people would have ignored it. But for 500 dollars, there appears to be a lot of people with that sort of money under their couch cushions and are willing to spend it on such a device.
I am glad this will bring in competition, but I seriously doubt in any near future there would be a tablet that can compete with Apples build quality, price and features.
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Bias alert, I hate Apple, I even hate Macintosh apples. I like Gala, Spartan and Granny Smith.
I am glad this will bring in competition, but I seriously doubt in any near future there would be a tablet that can compete with Apples build quality, price and features.
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Bias alert, I hate Apple, I even hate Macintosh apples. I like Gala, Spartan and Granny Smith.
... but considering that many (if not most) netbooks are cheaper, the iPad still seems to be going beyond the mere price variable of the equation. So the iPad offers portability, usability and price as a united front against its competitors.
Netbooks can't be factored into the equation, they're not really in the running when out to purchase a tablet.
We bought an incredibly good cheap Toshiba laptop last week. We were in the market for a laptop, not a tablet. If I were purchasing a $500 tablet, it wouldn't really matter what netbook or laptop or desktop were in the same price range.
We bought an incredibly good cheap Toshiba laptop last week. We were in the market for a laptop, not a tablet. If I were purchasing a $500 tablet, it wouldn't really matter what netbook or laptop or desktop were in the same price range.
When I can purchase a laptop PC that can run circles around a tablet PC for the same price, which do you think I will purchase?
The iPad and all other Tablet PC's should be about half the price of a decent laptop for what they offer.
I haven't seen one yet that impresses me.
The iPad and all other Tablet PC's should be about half the price of a decent laptop for what they offer.
I haven't seen one yet that impresses me.
I touch screen tablet whatever the make or model should not be compared to a laptop.
If you can get the concept down, you will understand why. Until then you're comparing Apples to wing-nuts. Go out and use one for a week, then come back and tell us your story.
If you can get the concept down, you will understand why. Until then you're comparing Apples to wing-nuts. Go out and use one for a week, then come back and tell us your story.
Not because of raw processing capability, but its usability under ordinary conditions. You can't use a laptop very easily on a crowded train or bus; it's just too big and clumsy. A tablet can be used almost anywhere under any circumstances simply because you don't have to put it down to use it.
Yes, I know a laptop can 'do' more, but if it can't do what you need when you need it, then it's just a three- to five-pound ball and chain hanging over your shoulder.
Yes, I know a laptop can 'do' more, but if it can't do what you need when you need it, then it's just a three- to five-pound ball and chain hanging over your shoulder.
You state that "Apple recognized the tablet format was about two critical areas: battery life and portability." While both of those are critical to the success of the product, the feature of utmost importance is usability. Can a two-year old pick up an iPad and begin using it? Incredibly, the answer is yes. Can the same be said for any Microsoft version of the tablet so far? A resounding no.
My technophobic mother picked up my sister-in-law's iPad, said what's this?, and then immediately opened a magazine and started reading it. She figured out how to turn the pages, open stuff, zoom, etc... all within just a few minutes.
My problem with the iPad, and indeed pretty much the whole line of Apple products, is the proprietary nature of the beast. I will not buy a device that locks you into a proprietary file format or into purchasing products only from their store. For example, there are Nook and Kindle apps for the iPad, but Apple has hinted around that they are going to require that the ebooks be purchased through their store and that they are going to take a substantial cut. That will effectively raise the price by a good 40% (I think that's the cut apple said that they'd take), making the iPad a good brick as far as ereaders go.
My problem with the iPad, and indeed pretty much the whole line of Apple products, is the proprietary nature of the beast. I will not buy a device that locks you into a proprietary file format or into purchasing products only from their store. For example, there are Nook and Kindle apps for the iPad, but Apple has hinted around that they are going to require that the ebooks be purchased through their store and that they are going to take a substantial cut. That will effectively raise the price by a good 40% (I think that's the cut apple said that they'd take), making the iPad a good brick as far as ereaders go.
What Apple is requiring out of the ebook readers is not that they're hungry for that 30% (not 40%) but rather requiring that if a developer offers an item on their website for a given price, then the in-app price must be the same--whether higher or lower. I will grant that they're also requiring the ability for in-app purchases for after market plug-ins or files such as ebooks. What they're not doing is forcing the developer to shut down their web page to force sales exclusively through the device. As such, they're pretty much demanding a balanced field that ensures the developer can't change the price of the add-on to bypass Apple's publishing fees.
This appears to be a defensive move by Apple rather than an offensive one, as more than one developer would offer a 'lite' app through the app store and then sell the full version through the app itself, bypassing Apple's fee structure. In essence, it was like you buying basic cable from your provider, then going out and removing the filter so you could get everything available. The cable companies don't like it and Apple didn't like it. Oh, and don't say that's why you went with satellite--people were just as guilty of bypassing satellite filters too and were charged and convicted of theft of programming.
Apple's doing nothing abusive here, merely ensuring that people pay for the service they're using--if there's a price involved.
This appears to be a defensive move by Apple rather than an offensive one, as more than one developer would offer a 'lite' app through the app store and then sell the full version through the app itself, bypassing Apple's fee structure. In essence, it was like you buying basic cable from your provider, then going out and removing the filter so you could get everything available. The cable companies don't like it and Apple didn't like it. Oh, and don't say that's why you went with satellite--people were just as guilty of bypassing satellite filters too and were charged and convicted of theft of programming.
Apple's doing nothing abusive here, merely ensuring that people pay for the service they're using--if there's a price involved.
I was going off of an article I read several weeks ago, and trying to go from an admittedly faulty memory.
However, Apple still requires proprietary formats and purchases through their store for many of their offerings, so while many of their products do appear to be of high quality for a price that is lower than the competition, I still won't buy their hardware.
Admittedly, part of that decision is based on the fact that while the product is really neato cool, I've still not found any other reason to justify purchasing one. I have to have either a laptop or stationary PC at home for work as well as play, and the iPad would not be compatible for the work I would need it to do, so it would just be another extra toy lying around.
If I were a road warrior, then I'd have to look a lot harder at the iPad. If they adapted a lot of apps for business use and offered them at a good price, then I could see that the road warrior would have a light, economic tool, with an excellent battery life.
When my laptop reaches the end of its life cycle, I'll take another look at the tablet market, but until then, it's too new, there are too many people jumping in the pool, and it all needs to shake down to a few offerings.
However, Apple still requires proprietary formats and purchases through their store for many of their offerings, so while many of their products do appear to be of high quality for a price that is lower than the competition, I still won't buy their hardware.
Admittedly, part of that decision is based on the fact that while the product is really neato cool, I've still not found any other reason to justify purchasing one. I have to have either a laptop or stationary PC at home for work as well as play, and the iPad would not be compatible for the work I would need it to do, so it would just be another extra toy lying around.
If I were a road warrior, then I'd have to look a lot harder at the iPad. If they adapted a lot of apps for business use and offered them at a good price, then I could see that the road warrior would have a light, economic tool, with an excellent battery life.
When my laptop reaches the end of its life cycle, I'll take another look at the tablet market, but until then, it's too new, there are too many people jumping in the pool, and it all needs to shake down to a few offerings.
I won't deny that tablets are not for everybody; but I get upset at people who insist that if they can't find a use for something, then nobody should--and many people who comment on threads like this seem to believe their opinion is the only one that counts.
My one and half year old grandson grabbed the ipad and starting touching the right spots to start the application and started whipping his finger to the side to move the screen. Now he makes clay pots builds cars,plays angry birds, etc.
The key to apple mobile products - period, is the interface.
The key to apple mobile products - period, is the interface.
A 2 year old 'using' the iPad? Sorry, that implies more reasoning power.
Apple created a device for the new 'twitch generation' who does no work but does consume Twitter and Facebook.
Apple created a device for the new 'twitch generation' who does no work but does consume Twitter and Facebook.
In response, yes, a two-year old "uses" the iPad. A two-year old can navigate the user interface. They can recognize the icons of something they have done before. They can flick between screens. They will explore (perhaps often accidentally) whatever they can click on. No, they don't have the reasoning power of a 5-year old, 12-year old, or adult, but their minds are exploratory and growing at an incredible rate. Of course that same two-year old may try to chew on it, so her interaction requires a bit more oversight 
Research and experience show that designing interfaces for human interaction takes much more planning and thought to create an interface that is intuitive and just works rather than one that is simply functional. This is where Apple excels and is exemplified by the two-year old using the product.
But it is so much more than that--the two-year old is just one end of the spectrum. It is quickly becoming more than a consume-only device. Board meetings. Note taking. Presentations. I use mine extensively and have done these and more.
Research and experience show that designing interfaces for human interaction takes much more planning and thought to create an interface that is intuitive and just works rather than one that is simply functional. This is where Apple excels and is exemplified by the two-year old using the product.
But it is so much more than that--the two-year old is just one end of the spectrum. It is quickly becoming more than a consume-only device. Board meetings. Note taking. Presentations. I use mine extensively and have done these and more.
"the average person with real work to get done or that same person who wants a device that lets them watch a movie, take notes in a meeting, and share a presentation. In short, Apple leaves you envisioning yourself using the device"
Excellent piece. This is what Apple does better than anyone - it delivers products that enable ordinary folk with real needs to do real things. Yes, they are locked into a tight infrastructure, frustrate the 'roll your own' people and often come up with spec's that are short of the technology leaders. But they deliver accessible, usable and elegantly classy solutions that work for many people. Their products typically empower people just like your Mum who (with respect) wouldn't know a usb port from a wombat (perhaps I underestimate your Mum).
Apple products may not be for everyone but they are right for a hell of a lot of people so we are fortunate to have choice if we don't like the Apple control agenda. Don't resent Apple's success, acknowledge it and choose something else.
Excellent piece. This is what Apple does better than anyone - it delivers products that enable ordinary folk with real needs to do real things. Yes, they are locked into a tight infrastructure, frustrate the 'roll your own' people and often come up with spec's that are short of the technology leaders. But they deliver accessible, usable and elegantly classy solutions that work for many people. Their products typically empower people just like your Mum who (with respect) wouldn't know a usb port from a wombat (perhaps I underestimate your Mum).
Apple products may not be for everyone but they are right for a hell of a lot of people so we are fortunate to have choice if we don't like the Apple control agenda. Don't resent Apple's success, acknowledge it and choose something else.
The only reason why Apple have "won" the tablet war is because they released something viable first, and most have considered it a done deal at that point. Lets not consider that everyone will copy the elements of the iPad that people liked and release contenders, meaning that Apple have only won a tablet battle (who establishes the market and has the main share first), and fired the first few shots in a tablet war.
I laughed when I read "In short, Apple leaves you envisioning yourself using the device, while Microsoft and its partners leave you wondering what the heck the device actually does" - at best I've found that "In short, Apple leaves you envisioning yourself using the device, while ... leav[ing] you wondering what the heck the device actually does", while at worst I've found little reason for the iPad whatsoever.
From my experiences only, I would add an extra point to why Apple are winning; "Dumb it down" - the iPad can, while doing "lots", can only do so much; the app store predominantly has games and other recreational activities, rather than business-centric, high-grade applications that would seriously drive content creation.
I'm not saying there aren't any business apps, just there are more games than business apps, and what's there doesn't seem as powerful as those you can get in a non-tablet solution.
The main drive for the iPad from consumer to business use is the consumer wants to play his games at work, and usually wants an excuse to bring his iPad into meetings.
The commercial director where I work recently bought iPads for himself and the owner. My tasks entailed getting their emails, a powerpoint presentation and some photos on both iPads, and putting a racing game on the owner's iPad.
The iPads have been on customer visits and are currently at an expo; they have not and are not being used to take notes, plan meetings, organise calendars, compose emails or other work documents, because I have seen the customer contact reports written on paper on their desks, their calendars pinned to the wall and the request to create all their presentations and spreadsheets land on any desk other than their own.
They cannot drive around Le Mans at >60mph during a meeting with a pad of paper, however.
I laughed when I read "In short, Apple leaves you envisioning yourself using the device, while Microsoft and its partners leave you wondering what the heck the device actually does" - at best I've found that "In short, Apple leaves you envisioning yourself using the device, while ... leav[ing] you wondering what the heck the device actually does", while at worst I've found little reason for the iPad whatsoever.
From my experiences only, I would add an extra point to why Apple are winning; "Dumb it down" - the iPad can, while doing "lots", can only do so much; the app store predominantly has games and other recreational activities, rather than business-centric, high-grade applications that would seriously drive content creation.
I'm not saying there aren't any business apps, just there are more games than business apps, and what's there doesn't seem as powerful as those you can get in a non-tablet solution.
The main drive for the iPad from consumer to business use is the consumer wants to play his games at work, and usually wants an excuse to bring his iPad into meetings.
The commercial director where I work recently bought iPads for himself and the owner. My tasks entailed getting their emails, a powerpoint presentation and some photos on both iPads, and putting a racing game on the owner's iPad.
The iPads have been on customer visits and are currently at an expo; they have not and are not being used to take notes, plan meetings, organise calendars, compose emails or other work documents, because I have seen the customer contact reports written on paper on their desks, their calendars pinned to the wall and the request to create all their presentations and spreadsheets land on any desk other than their own.
They cannot drive around Le Mans at >60mph during a meeting with a pad of paper, however.
I'd hardly call a sample of two definitive. In my workplace I've seen iPads revolutionize the activity of senior managers who now deal in large volumes of documents electronically, annotate these documents during meetings, make notes for future reference, access document repositories while travelling, manage email etc. etc. all in a quite small package that runs for at least a day on one charge and is instantly on when needed. Yes, they could carry laptops but why would they in this context? Tablets like the iPad simply make more sense to them. I doubt if there's a game on a single one.
I don't have an iPad other than access to one for evaluation purposes. I don't need/want one myself with a desktop and a laptop but I don't deny they are perfect for many users.
There's absolutely no wondering about what this device does... these users are very clear and enthusiastic advocates for how it enables them to do stuff better than they could ever do it before.
I suspect you are too anti-Apple; extrapolating from a very limited experience base to reinforce a pre-exising bias.
I don't have an iPad other than access to one for evaluation purposes. I don't need/want one myself with a desktop and a laptop but I don't deny they are perfect for many users.
There's absolutely no wondering about what this device does... these users are very clear and enthusiastic advocates for how it enables them to do stuff better than they could ever do it before.
I suspect you are too anti-Apple; extrapolating from a very limited experience base to reinforce a pre-exising bias.
Yep. You said it. You are too anti-Apple.
I'm a tablet user for the past 12 years. This allows me to see the many holes in your argument.
I'm a tablet user for the past 12 years. This allows me to see the many holes in your argument.
Your points are quite valid, but you appear to overlook the point that the iPad is not intended to be a replacement for a full-powered computer, but rather a supplemental device that lets you be productive at times you normally can't. It's not intended to replace your desktop computer, but it can do most of what laptops currently do--carry the data to the meeting, customer or remote location and allow you to present or edit that data.
It can serve as a photographer's image storage device while also allowing him to preview those images to his customers on site. A writer getting a spur-of-the-moment concept can jot it down and even expound on it even when he doesn't have room to set a laptop down, though I admit trying to touch-type on such a sensitive device tends to induce errors. But a tablet can do much more as well.
A salesman at a car dealership could instantly access inventory to help his customer find just the car they want, then close the deal on the same device all the way through the negotiations and filling out the paperwork--printing out the final contract for signatures. This is already being done by every Mercedes dealership in the US and others are adopting the concept.
I don't deny that the tablet can also offer entertainment; most people are using it for that purpose already. But the tablet can do far more than most people seem to believe. The reason you don't see that many pro-grade apps is that we're getting an all-new cadre of software developers creating the apps they, themselves would prefer to use with only limited offerings coming from the big software publishing houses. You'll slowly see more pro-grade apps coming on board, but these will come from the new developers gaining experience as much as the commercial houses adapting or creating tablet apps.
It can serve as a photographer's image storage device while also allowing him to preview those images to his customers on site. A writer getting a spur-of-the-moment concept can jot it down and even expound on it even when he doesn't have room to set a laptop down, though I admit trying to touch-type on such a sensitive device tends to induce errors. But a tablet can do much more as well.
A salesman at a car dealership could instantly access inventory to help his customer find just the car they want, then close the deal on the same device all the way through the negotiations and filling out the paperwork--printing out the final contract for signatures. This is already being done by every Mercedes dealership in the US and others are adopting the concept.
I don't deny that the tablet can also offer entertainment; most people are using it for that purpose already. But the tablet can do far more than most people seem to believe. The reason you don't see that many pro-grade apps is that we're getting an all-new cadre of software developers creating the apps they, themselves would prefer to use with only limited offerings coming from the big software publishing houses. You'll slowly see more pro-grade apps coming on board, but these will come from the new developers gaining experience as much as the commercial houses adapting or creating tablet apps.
My views are in all likelihood too narrow, and I do have a pre-existing bias against Apple products. I did have my caveat in my opening post, as I'm aware that my experiences will colour my interpretation.
Its nice to hear about the Mercedes dealership using it in a business sense to such a large degree; it helps me see that the iPad is working in business. Being in the UK, this hasn't really happened; I notice that the replies are coming from Australia and the US, so there could be a different dynamic for IT uptake to that seen in the UK.
My low knowledge of users could possibly indicate the usefulness for people in my area - people have either looked at the iPad and said "why?", or I simply don't see them using it because of its overall utility for them being limited.
Outside of the two iPads bought for my colleagues, I know a further 2 people who own iPads;
A friend who pre-ordered from the states because he is a bleeding-edge IT nut - it so far has less usage than his iPhone and his behemoth of a PC, other than managing his monthly RPG sessions.
A friend who works as a personal trainer and was interested in the various health/gym/training apps - I heard his difficulties printing off training programs all the way to the gym after he bought it, and on a night out we ended up using his satnav because it was easier for him to use when driving (he couldn't stick the iPad to the windscreen ).
I have, bar the first few times, never seen these two friends using their iPads.
Perhaps if I and my friends had the experience everyone else is having of the iPad, then my view would be different, but I can only go off what I know, which is underutilisation and problems.
Perhaps people looking for a tablet solution for things they didn't necessarily consider a problem, to improve an everyday task would also help - my mum quite happily uses a pen and a piece of scrap paper for her shopping list, which then fits in her purse and isn't a big deal if she loses it going around the supermarket, but if the iPad could beat that portability, utility and price... I have difficulty getting up on a morning, even though my phone acts as my alarm clock, but if the iPad could beat that on portability, utility and price... I can securely browse any website I wish to view, or play high-end graphics, performance-hungry games, or write documents, work on spreadsheets, create presentations etc. on my PC, without having to sync it with anything, without having issues printing things off, having issues viewing certain websites because they use flash, etc. but if the iPad could beat that on portability, utility and price...
I understand that all the situations I can list are simply that; situations, one-off events that don't encompass everything the iPad can be - the iPad can actually beat every situation above for at least one of the "portability, utility and price" criteria, but it doesn't beat all three every time.
I can't see much in my life that I'm not happy using existing technology for, and it is the same with those who I know that have an iPad; they can't see it as useful beyond the one or two situations that it is a "nice to have" for, which leads it to be an expensive shelf ornament.
Apple would need to sort out communications and connectivity issues before it made more sense to me and those around me, but by then there will be an alternative from a competitor - they are playing catch-up, yes, but they are catching up.
Its nice to hear about the Mercedes dealership using it in a business sense to such a large degree; it helps me see that the iPad is working in business. Being in the UK, this hasn't really happened; I notice that the replies are coming from Australia and the US, so there could be a different dynamic for IT uptake to that seen in the UK.
My low knowledge of users could possibly indicate the usefulness for people in my area - people have either looked at the iPad and said "why?", or I simply don't see them using it because of its overall utility for them being limited.
Outside of the two iPads bought for my colleagues, I know a further 2 people who own iPads;
A friend who pre-ordered from the states because he is a bleeding-edge IT nut - it so far has less usage than his iPhone and his behemoth of a PC, other than managing his monthly RPG sessions.
A friend who works as a personal trainer and was interested in the various health/gym/training apps - I heard his difficulties printing off training programs all the way to the gym after he bought it, and on a night out we ended up using his satnav because it was easier for him to use when driving (he couldn't stick the iPad to the windscreen
).I have, bar the first few times, never seen these two friends using their iPads.
Perhaps if I and my friends had the experience everyone else is having of the iPad, then my view would be different, but I can only go off what I know, which is underutilisation and problems.
Perhaps people looking for a tablet solution for things they didn't necessarily consider a problem, to improve an everyday task would also help - my mum quite happily uses a pen and a piece of scrap paper for her shopping list, which then fits in her purse and isn't a big deal if she loses it going around the supermarket, but if the iPad could beat that portability, utility and price... I have difficulty getting up on a morning, even though my phone acts as my alarm clock, but if the iPad could beat that on portability, utility and price... I can securely browse any website I wish to view, or play high-end graphics, performance-hungry games, or write documents, work on spreadsheets, create presentations etc. on my PC, without having to sync it with anything, without having issues printing things off, having issues viewing certain websites because they use flash, etc. but if the iPad could beat that on portability, utility and price...
I understand that all the situations I can list are simply that; situations, one-off events that don't encompass everything the iPad can be - the iPad can actually beat every situation above for at least one of the "portability, utility and price" criteria, but it doesn't beat all three every time.
I can't see much in my life that I'm not happy using existing technology for, and it is the same with those who I know that have an iPad; they can't see it as useful beyond the one or two situations that it is a "nice to have" for, which leads it to be an expensive shelf ornament.
Apple would need to sort out communications and connectivity issues before it made more sense to me and those around me, but by then there will be an alternative from a competitor - they are playing catch-up, yes, but they are catching up.
I am interested in your friend who's using it to manage his RPG; could you perhaps mention what applications he uses?
(Of course, this assumes you're still following this thread.)
(Of course, this assumes you're still following this thread.)
He started off with a dice rolling program he already had on his iPhone, and Evernote to organise plot threads with pictures. I've not had much contact with him past a few months ago, so he might have started using some of the more "dedicated" RPG apps out there (googled and found the Dungeon Master Toolkit for general GMing, iAnnotate for pdf manipulation and iThoughtsHD for mindmapping adventures). Most of the games we were playing were either Call of Cthulhu or Dark Heresy, which means most of the D&D apps were irrelevant.
Has to be said though, most of what he did was on his PC, then sync'd through Evernote to his iPad, and at the time us adventurers were Pen & Papering it and rolling our own dice.
It was mostly a "this is the demon you'll be fighting..." (turns iPad, shows picture), or "my demon rolls..." (uses dice app) kind of tool.
Has to be said though, most of what he did was on his PC, then sync'd through Evernote to his iPad, and at the time us adventurers were Pen & Papering it and rolling our own dice.
It was mostly a "this is the demon you'll be fighting..." (turns iPad, shows picture), or "my demon rolls..." (uses dice app) kind of tool.
Its very shocking how a company like microsoft can't work out what customer's preferences are for over ten years. Should the need a new consumer insight director, am very much available. Iits better to start again than loose out for longer. My email address is: muadka@yahoo.com
You aren't tech-savvy enough to know better than to post your e-mail address in the clear.
MS couldn't do any worse than what they already have, right? His email security is his problem... he'll learn.
Microsoft lost the tablet war because of two things: technology and timing. First, their technology was based on an operating system that has been hashed and rehashed for 15 years and that wasn't ever made for the human input device. All the windows-based tablets tried to force the user into substituting a stylus for a mouse, yet failed to eliminate the context menus that access many things. Add the stability problems on top of that of Windows CE, and you had a huge debacle. Microsoft's unwillingness to abandon Windows as the platform choice and start over made it so they were constantly trying to paint over and modify the tank they were using to make it seem like a sports car - a venture that they refused to admit was impossible.
Their second problem was that they spent so much time in these endeavors (and in internal political machinations) that they lost the window of opportunity. Now they are playing a VERY distant third fiddle to Apple and Google. Microsoft's failure to get into the mobile device line in force was also primarily a technological one: they refused to acknowledge that mobile devices require a different style of use - one for which Windows is particularly maladroit.
I for one am glad that this is forcing Microsoft to rethink their approach to computers. I believe that Microsoft still has a lot to offer, but their penchant for forcing consumers to do things their way has been the stumbling block of IBM (Token Ring), Novell (IPX/SPX) and other companies. When Microsoft finally acknowledges that they need to conform to the consumer and not try to force the consumer to conform to them, they will once again begin to make traction.
Their second problem was that they spent so much time in these endeavors (and in internal political machinations) that they lost the window of opportunity. Now they are playing a VERY distant third fiddle to Apple and Google. Microsoft's failure to get into the mobile device line in force was also primarily a technological one: they refused to acknowledge that mobile devices require a different style of use - one for which Windows is particularly maladroit.
I for one am glad that this is forcing Microsoft to rethink their approach to computers. I believe that Microsoft still has a lot to offer, but their penchant for forcing consumers to do things their way has been the stumbling block of IBM (Token Ring), Novell (IPX/SPX) and other companies. When Microsoft finally acknowledges that they need to conform to the consumer and not try to force the consumer to conform to them, they will once again begin to make traction.
It is a very precise statement you made! (Managers at MS shall realize how to conform the customers)!
I am not an Apple user, and using Windows only on my corporate notebook - I still vote for LINUX over all, but I always admitted that Apple's marketing strategy, vision and implementations are "just cool and sexy", a.k.a. superior to Microsoft if viewed from customer perspective. It is foolish to argue that iPad didn't blew the market because it did - even with no real ground breaking tech specs, but with how Apple marketed it to customers, and yes, with all the things said before in this thread (ease of use, price, etc.)
However Apple won the first battle, there are several strong upcoming competitors (like Notion Ink with their ADAM).
I hope the race between the big boys (Apple, MS, Samsung, etc) and the upcomers (like Notion Ink) will be tough, and it will result in more and more value to the customers, by releasing products that focus on what the users really need!
I am not an Apple user, and using Windows only on my corporate notebook - I still vote for LINUX over all, but I always admitted that Apple's marketing strategy, vision and implementations are "just cool and sexy", a.k.a. superior to Microsoft if viewed from customer perspective. It is foolish to argue that iPad didn't blew the market because it did - even with no real ground breaking tech specs, but with how Apple marketed it to customers, and yes, with all the things said before in this thread (ease of use, price, etc.)
However Apple won the first battle, there are several strong upcoming competitors (like Notion Ink with their ADAM).
I hope the race between the big boys (Apple, MS, Samsung, etc) and the upcomers (like Notion Ink) will be tough, and it will result in more and more value to the customers, by releasing products that focus on what the users really need!
Maybe MS should look in the mirror and finally decide they are a software company. I know it pales in comparison, but look what the Angry Birds guys have made on a silly game! If MS would just leverage Android and iOS tabs to run their back office programs, they could make Billions and sustain the life of their O/S divisions for years. Tick, tick, tick...
Was Microsoft ever successful at anything they didn't steal or reverse engineer from someone else...all the way back to DOS?
The factual errors alone in this commentary are too many to mention. Like many MS centric writers you make erroneous assumptions or statements out of hand and apparently without even a modicum of research. The first Pad or Tablet devices were the Apple Newton and then the various Palm Devices, Microsoft as almost always was both very late to the party and then tried to kludge their Windows Be-All, End-All OS into a device which they never either understood or analyzed how people might actually use it.
Steve Jobs actually was forced out at Apple largely for trying to prevent Apple from releasing the Newton as he recognized the technology was too immature and the cost factors were too high for widespread adoption and John Scully (the then CEO of Apple) in a show of amazing hubris forced the co-founder of Apple out in a power play that almost destroyed the company.
There are many issues with Steve Jobs, he is egocentric, driven, convinced that his way is the only way and often unable to see alternative points of view - But and this is the key factor in Apple's success since Steve's return - He is unrelenting in demanding an extraordinary customer experience, in not releasing a "good enough" product, but waiting until it is actually "Right". How many years were there rumors of a coming Apple Tablet device, and how many years did Jobs and Apple not pull the trigger. Steve demanded if not perfection, then at least extraordinary performance, design, usability, stability and as in almost all Apple products the "It Just Works" factor.
As long as Microsoft is able to continue to leverage their monopoly power with Windows (and Office which is a monopoly solely because MS was able to leverage control of Windows to consistently break competing products during Office's formative years prior to its achieving market domination) and they remain the cash cows they are, Microsoft may never be forced to actually build products that "Just Work". And the entire IT world will continue to suffer with OS bloat and watching as all the new, faster, more powerful hardware capabilities are eaten up by the demands of a voracious Operating System that gobbles ever more resources, becomes ever larger and less elegant and never really allows users to benefit from the ever more powerful machines on their desktops.
Steve Jobs actually was forced out at Apple largely for trying to prevent Apple from releasing the Newton as he recognized the technology was too immature and the cost factors were too high for widespread adoption and John Scully (the then CEO of Apple) in a show of amazing hubris forced the co-founder of Apple out in a power play that almost destroyed the company.
There are many issues with Steve Jobs, he is egocentric, driven, convinced that his way is the only way and often unable to see alternative points of view - But and this is the key factor in Apple's success since Steve's return - He is unrelenting in demanding an extraordinary customer experience, in not releasing a "good enough" product, but waiting until it is actually "Right". How many years were there rumors of a coming Apple Tablet device, and how many years did Jobs and Apple not pull the trigger. Steve demanded if not perfection, then at least extraordinary performance, design, usability, stability and as in almost all Apple products the "It Just Works" factor.
As long as Microsoft is able to continue to leverage their monopoly power with Windows (and Office which is a monopoly solely because MS was able to leverage control of Windows to consistently break competing products during Office's formative years prior to its achieving market domination) and they remain the cash cows they are, Microsoft may never be forced to actually build products that "Just Work". And the entire IT world will continue to suffer with OS bloat and watching as all the new, faster, more powerful hardware capabilities are eaten up by the demands of a voracious Operating System that gobbles ever more resources, becomes ever larger and less elegant and never really allows users to benefit from the ever more powerful machines on their desktops.
Basically correct info, but it should be noted (to Microsoft's credit) that industrial grade tablets entered the scene much around the same time as the Newton did. They were huge, bulky, heavy pieces of equipment used greatly in hospitals and warehouses.
Several years after Newton's heyday and before introducing the Windows Tablet PC, Microsoft tried again by introducing the HPC WinCE tablets. They had much promise but were killed by pricetags that were too high and competed with laptops.
I was an early adapter and owned several Newtons, HPCs, Tablet PCs, etc.
You are correct in stating that the technology 20 years ago just couldn't cut it. The concept was fantastic but the hardware wasn't able to deliver.
I had hoped for an Apple tablet in the 1990s but with hindsight, I'm sure it wouldn't have been much of a device.
Several years after Newton's heyday and before introducing the Windows Tablet PC, Microsoft tried again by introducing the HPC WinCE tablets. They had much promise but were killed by pricetags that were too high and competed with laptops.
I was an early adapter and owned several Newtons, HPCs, Tablet PCs, etc.
You are correct in stating that the technology 20 years ago just couldn't cut it. The concept was fantastic but the hardware wasn't able to deliver.
I had hoped for an Apple tablet in the 1990s but with hindsight, I'm sure it wouldn't have been much of a device.
Google and Apple definitely made a good change by deciding to build OS's that requires less resources. It's possible that as time moves forward Microsoft might recognize this and try to make some changes in the OS they try and run on future tablet/phone products.
If nothing else it would be nice to see Microsoft try and be a little more like *nix. To build a system that can be stripped down and used effectively on other products, but not take away it's ability to install and run things that a normal install would be able to do.
I'm not going to hold my breath as I say this though. I've seen it just like everyone else, computer hardware gets amazingly faster and MS manages to use everything the systems got at boot. I guess Windows 7 used less resources than Vista, but that's not saying much considering that Vista was actually worse than ME.
If nothing else it would be nice to see Microsoft try and be a little more like *nix. To build a system that can be stripped down and used effectively on other products, but not take away it's ability to install and run things that a normal install would be able to do.
I'm not going to hold my breath as I say this though. I've seen it just like everyone else, computer hardware gets amazingly faster and MS manages to use everything the systems got at boot. I guess Windows 7 used less resources than Vista, but that's not saying much considering that Vista was actually worse than ME.
They never saw it coming. Better start playing financial games with foreign exchange rates and innovative tax avoidance like IBM and go into the consulting business.
The tablet wars are a little reminiscent of the browser wars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_wars . And Big Blue is still going strong.
Microsoft has lived in a vacuum for many years. They had the attitude that if we build it and make it what we want they will buy it. I say with the flop of Vista they found that producing something that the end user wants and is functional at the same time is the key. The more cool things you can do on the same devices will drive its sale. Watch movies, play my music, get me to my destination with turn by turn, make a phone call, post on facebook, read email, listen to the radio, unlock and start my car, unlock and disarm the alarm in my house well controlling the heat and lights. This is all now capable on one device and when it is portable and links with your car as an entertainment system you can save a lot of green by buying one device. Who needs to pay 3800.00 for a built in navigation system and entertainment package in your new car when you can dock the ipad. The war is not over but the more vendors that make these devices to do all this will drive the price down on a pretty cool multifunctional device. The one thing that Apple does wrong every time is hurt our pocket book so much. Their computer market share did not take off like they hoped because it cost a lot of green to own an apple. If they bring the price down on ipad???s as more similar devices come out they will stay on top. If they don???t compete on price then other vendors will create a similar device and price it 200 bucks lower and eventually leave apple in the dust. Like the computer market
What puts me off the iPad (apart from the fact that it is an Apple product) is the price. It is 4 times the price of an Android alternative. I haven't got or used either but based on my experience of Android on my phone I seriously doubt the iPad is 4x better than the competition. Android phones grew by 888.8% in 2010 (compared with iPhones 1. some odd percent). The writing is on the tablet.
Your comment is not based on any fact. I should know... I've owned three Android tablets.
This past year has surprised many people in that they had expected Android to deliver cheaper alternatives to the iPad. Most of the Android tablets which have surfaced at a lower price have been extremely buggy devices from China. These cheap tablets aren't real competition in any conceivable fashion to the iPad. I've had two shipped in from China... just to save a buck! They perform poorly.
But there have been a couple Android tablets which do come close to competing with the iPad in terms of quality. And guess what??? They cost more than the iPad does!!
To Apple's credit, they have given us a device which cannot be beat in the $500 price range. One year later and there's still little true competition.
(((why would anyone give this a minus vote when all it is doing is correcting misinformation?)))
This past year has surprised many people in that they had expected Android to deliver cheaper alternatives to the iPad. Most of the Android tablets which have surfaced at a lower price have been extremely buggy devices from China. These cheap tablets aren't real competition in any conceivable fashion to the iPad. I've had two shipped in from China... just to save a buck! They perform poorly.
But there have been a couple Android tablets which do come close to competing with the iPad in terms of quality. And guess what??? They cost more than the iPad does!!
To Apple's credit, they have given us a device which cannot be beat in the $500 price range. One year later and there's still little true competition.
(((why would anyone give this a minus vote when all it is doing is correcting misinformation?)))
While I won't necessarily argue your Android 888.8%, I won't necessarily accept it either. On the other hand, I will flatly argue your iPhone since it grew by 100%+ in that same one-year period, just as it did the year before and the year before that. Yes, Android phones are selling fast, but the main reason they're doing so has nothing to do with their abilities, but rather their average pricing starting at half the price of an iPhone and going down. Very few Android phones sell at $200+ while the vast majority sell at $100 or less. Even now, you can watch commercials offering an Android phone at 'Buy-One-Get-One' prices while you never see an iPhone on an offer like that.
As for tablets, I've only heard of one tablet actively selling for less than an iPad, and that one tablet really doesn't seem to be making any impact on Apple's sales or the tablet market in general. Very few people, almost all techies, even know it exists. Does this really imply a better, more usable product?
Yes, Android is coming--if Microsoft doesn't manage to kill it first.
As for tablets, I've only heard of one tablet actively selling for less than an iPad, and that one tablet really doesn't seem to be making any impact on Apple's sales or the tablet market in general. Very few people, almost all techies, even know it exists. Does this really imply a better, more usable product?
Yes, Android is coming--if Microsoft doesn't manage to kill it first.
http://www.examiner.com/technology-in-national/android-market-share-climbs-888-percent-2010-gartner#ixzz1DeYGvc73
I don't buy into the idea that a big tablet is useful, but if some of the reviews are to be believed then there are Android alternatives that are good. e.g.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A1CS-X220-TABLET-ANDROID-1080P/dp/B004F33FJ6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1300969594&sr=8-7
I'm still not convinced.
I don't buy into the idea that a big tablet is useful, but if some of the reviews are to be believed then there are Android alternatives that are good. e.g.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A1CS-X220-TABLET-ANDROID-1080P/dp/B004F33FJ6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1300969594&sr=8-7
I'm still not convinced.
... Though I admit I still don't see raw numbers. 888.8% of 3.9 is 34.632, not 22.7. I'd really need to see raw sales numbers to confirm or contradict the statement.
Sure size, price speed, ease-of-use are all factors, but "mobile" is about instant accessibility. Touch the button, its working now. No getting a cup of coffee while its booting. Not even skipping a beat in your conversation. Button push - ready-to-use. Done.
Don't you just hate having to use and update the security software on Windows devices? And even if one uses security software one still gets hit with some poor code that slugs the system. That's one other big reason why I wouldn't want a MS Windows alternative to my iPad. When Microsoft can walk away from that whole infection-prone system then they may have a chance of being able to survive the sea-change that's happening. But can you wait that long?
I use a Mac at work,
Windows at home,
Android on my phone,
and other systems on older devices.
Guess which one gets all the virus and other garbage?
Yep, Windows.
Takes me hours (sometimes days) to get it back to normal.
Windows at home,
Android on my phone,
and other systems on older devices.
Guess which one gets all the virus and other garbage?
Yep, Windows.
Takes me hours (sometimes days) to get it back to normal.
Why put up with Windows and malware in your home environment where you should be kicking back? Sounds like a situation where you go to work to detank from your weekend!
I've purchased eight Macs over the years. Love them!!
No doubt they're the best computer around.
BUT...
They're no longer priced within my limited budget.
I also drive an inexpensive car even though there's much better cars for much higher prices. I can't afford them.
Apple might have won the quality race but they in no way compete in the value for dollar race.
No doubt they're the best computer around.
BUT...
They're no longer priced within my limited budget.
I also drive an inexpensive car even though there's much better cars for much higher prices. I can't afford them.
Apple might have won the quality race but they in no way compete in the value for dollar race.
Have a look at ubuntu.
Not going to evangelize or anything like it, but we use it in the office and at home. One of the office users is a 50 year old grandma who was non-technical. My daughter snickers derisively at her school's IT guy struggling with viruses Under Windows, taking great joy in informing him that her daddy doesn't have these problems... I tell her to be kind, but I have told him how to fix nearly every issue he ends up with and he won't listen. He deserved a 14 year old with the knowledge of an A+ laughing at him.
Not going to evangelize or anything like it, but we use it in the office and at home. One of the office users is a 50 year old grandma who was non-technical. My daughter snickers derisively at her school's IT guy struggling with viruses Under Windows, taking great joy in informing him that her daddy doesn't have these problems... I tell her to be kind, but I have told him how to fix nearly every issue he ends up with and he won't listen. He deserved a 14 year old with the knowledge of an A+ laughing at him.
To the poster that seems to have concluded Microsoft and IBM are "failures":
IBM: Fourth-quarter hardware revenue climbed 21 percent to $6.3 billion, as the mainframe introduced in July helped boost sales in that product category by almost 70 percent. Sales from the software division gained 7 percent to $7 billion. Net income for the quarter increased 9.2 percent to $5.26 billion from $4.81 billion, or $3.59 a share, a year earlier.
(And, no, this wasn't "tax avoidance", geez!)
Microsoft: Microsoft Corp., the world???s largest software maker, said second-quarter profit topped analysts??? estimates as corporate customers bought more Office and server programs and consumers purchased Xbox Kinect motion sensors. Net income was $6.63 billion, or 77 cents a share, compared with $6.66 billion, or 74 cents, a year earlier, Microsoft said today in a statement. Sales rose 4.9 percent to $20 billion.
Yeah, you're right, these companies are massive failures.
IBM: Fourth-quarter hardware revenue climbed 21 percent to $6.3 billion, as the mainframe introduced in July helped boost sales in that product category by almost 70 percent. Sales from the software division gained 7 percent to $7 billion. Net income for the quarter increased 9.2 percent to $5.26 billion from $4.81 billion, or $3.59 a share, a year earlier.
(And, no, this wasn't "tax avoidance", geez!)
Microsoft: Microsoft Corp., the world???s largest software maker, said second-quarter profit topped analysts??? estimates as corporate customers bought more Office and server programs and consumers purchased Xbox Kinect motion sensors. Net income was $6.63 billion, or 77 cents a share, compared with $6.66 billion, or 74 cents, a year earlier, Microsoft said today in a statement. Sales rose 4.9 percent to $20 billion.
Yeah, you're right, these companies are massive failures.
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