Apple Tablet: Who cares?

[negative1]

i'm not too worried about apple, if they eventually get
around to it, they will..

however, i'm looking at this:
--------------------------
http://www.archos.com/products/nb/ar...try=de&lang=en



from archos,
sounds interesting..
ARCHOS once again is leading the way in innovation, with the introduction of the MiniPC of the future, the ARCHOS 9PCtablet. The ARCHOS design team has coupled groundbreaking design with the most advanced technologies, by leveraging their expertise from the design of the Internet Media Tablets. The new PC combines the performance of a high end PC with breathtaking aesthetics, excellent ergonomics and a tactile interface that ARCHOS has built their reputation on. Pure lines, extreme thinness (0.63''), less than 800g and a stunning black finish, the ARCHOS 9 pushes the boundaries of elegance and simplicity on a MiniPC, fulfilling all expectations of the most mobile users.
Intuitive and easy to use, the ARCHOS 9 delivers an unrivalled user experience, and is set to replace the traditional computer. Without a physical keyboard, it provides a virtual keyboard, very easy to use on the the resistive touchscreen, and has an optical trackpoint to let you surf the web, communicate, work and entertain anywhere.

The ARCHOS 9 incorporates the new Intel® ATOM™ Z515 processor, an 80 GB1 hard disk, Bluetooth to tether wireless accessories, and 2 antennas to receive DVBT TV with diversity reception.

And what's more, the ARCHOS 9 is running Microsoft® Windows 7, the latest version of the most commonly used operating system in the world.

later
-1

[HeavyHanded]

I want it too!

[negative1]

so, more rumors, and more...
but i don't think they (apple) are convinced that
it even needs to be made..

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10548...on-tablet.html

With the iPhone hitting its stride, Apple needs a hot new device to carry the next leg of the gadget race. And while Apple will probably have a dazzling tablet, the category has been troublesome for other computer makers like Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba.

Apple has been reluctant to introduce the device, which has been ready as a prototype for nearly a year. Initially, analysts thought Apple would aim the tablet at the education market. But as devices like Amazon's Kindle have gained some popularity, Apple seems to think this year is the right time for a tablet.

later
-1

[Kartik]

I will say this about Apple. Whatever they make works exactly like they say it does. I recently bought a Motion Computing tablet - (no dragon medical on apple and I live on a hospital XP network) - and it has gremlins out of the box. I would buy a Mac tablet any day even if it cost 5K because my Iphone, 2 Ipods, a MacBook and Mac desktop work right out of the box and keep doing so. It never feels like experimentation with each use. There is no discoveries or tweaks. What the box says, the device does. That kind of effectiveness creates brand loyalty. If there is a tablet-mac, expect the same mass adoption as the Ipod did in the MP3 player world and the Iphone did in the smartphone world.

[negative1]

I will say this about Apple. Whatever they make works exactly like they say it does. I recently bought a Motion Computing tablet - (no dragon medical on apple and I live on a hospital XP network) - and it has gremlins out of the box.

hmm... my experience has been just the opposite..
starting from the apple IIe to the appleIIc, it was underpowered,
incompatible and much more expensive than the pc versions..

also, i did try a classic macintosh, and a performa, each which
had all kinds of software problems, and just ran slow...

and to be more current, i got an ipod touch a few weeks ago,
and got rid of it as fast as i could (after a week)[i gave
it away for free].. it was terrible,
the touchscreen keyboard wasn't effective, the apps didn't work
well (especially the browser), and the it was just too small, and
ineffective for me .. compared to my palm tx which could do pretty
much 95% of the same thing for the same price..[not to mention
from 2 years ago]...

as far as motion computing goes, i will say that my LE1600 is
rock solid, and i've no problems with it at all.. it's comparable
to my highest end fujitsu, and is on par with my hp tc 1100,
so i'm not sure what the problem with the hardware you got was..

apple is not immune, read about all the problems with 3gs battery
issues, ipod hardware issues, etc. etc... ok nobodies perfect,
but apple isn't the only one..

If there is a tablet-mac, expect the same mass adoption as the Ipod did in the MP3 player world and the Iphone did in the smartphone world.

'if' is the key word here.. they have the capability, and have
had the prototypes out there, but as the linked article said,
even apple itself has doubts about releasing it, and marketing
it... they're going to have just as many, if not more problems
than all the other tablet makers out there...

by the way, if you mean about 5%-10% of the smartphone market
as of may 2009 [ http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10245339-37.html ] that's not really a whole lot, when compared to Rim,
and nokia...

later
-1

[chibitrunks9]

Unfortunately I disagree, and so does most if not all of the populous. You almost always hear nothing but great reviews about the latest and greatest apple products. In regards to the iPod touch and iPhone, I don't think I could live without them. The multitude of apps, plus after using for a few weeks one becomes very proficient with the keyboard. If /when Apple kicks out a "Media Tablet" or what-not, I think it will be excellently received. http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/24/...from-p-a-semi/

In regards to Apple's quality, it is far more superior than other brands. Their customer support is spot-on, and the supposed "issues" are usually resolved quickly and to the benefit of the customer.

About the market share, consider this: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/...PSKHSCJUNN2JVN

Apple holds 10-15% smartphone market share ON THEIR OWN, then are the sole manufacturer or the software and hardware, where as Nokia's sales figures include not so "smart" phones and Microsoft depends on 3rd parties to manufacture the hardware for their software. And for having started selling just over 2 years ago, this is AMAZINGLY impressive...

So, who cares? I care.....

[negative1]

Unfortunately I disagree, and so does most if not all of the populous. You almost always hear nothing but great reviews about the latest and greatest apple products.

what populous? mac/apple has always a very tiny segment of the
market (less than 10% compared to windows at 85%). its not even noticeable when it comes to OS share, or systems sold.

they're overpriced products, that are overhyped, and dont deliver
any new functionality that couldn't be had on other systems for
a lot less.

why is this board 99.9% pcs and linux? why doesn't apple have
any presence at all???? lisa, newton, and the cube are all failed
products, (Ok, sony had a lot too, and there's some from microsoft
that aren't so great either)..

macs and apples have no place in the tablet market, which is
a tiny niche in itself..

In regards to the iPod touch and iPhone, I don't think I could live without them. The multitude of apps, plus after using for a few weeks one becomes very proficient with the keyboard.

good, i always say use what works for you..

and i have gotten much better at not using a keyboard
ever since i have gotten into tablets..

however, since the iphone/ipod touch HAVE NO EXPANSION
for keyboards (and i didn't see any built in writing recognition,
(is there an app for that?)..... it's absolutely USELESS to me,

and that's why i will NEVER recommend using or buying apple
products, until they open up their DRM system, or allow you
to drag and drop files without converting them, or using the
bloated ITUNES (yes, i know you can jailbreak them, but most
people wouldn't do that)..

also AT&T has one of the worst reputations for providers,
no SMS? no tethering? it took 3 years for copy and paste?
battery issues? voicemail issues? i thought for a phone it
would function better than that...

About the market share, consider this: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/...PSKHSCJUNN2JVN
So, who cares? I care.....

smartphones, are still a tiny percentage of phones overall,
so they own a very small part of a niche area...

for the bigger picture, apple's share is dropping steadily
http://www.electronista.com/articles...relim.q2.2009/

they are now in 5th place for systems sales, and i'm sure that
their premium prices for systems and OS's are hurting them a lot
in this economic downturn...

i don't really see them pushing out new products except for
ipod refreshes...

(granted i do watch them though),
but that's why i don't care about what they do.

in the end, they're just trying to get a niche market,
of an already niche area in tablets.

later
-1

[meeka1234]

lol, I see why your name is -1 ;-)

If you listened to AAPL's last quarter earnings report, they've increased unit sales of almost everything (except simple iPods interestingly) in this down market.

Most people do think Apple makes great products. They're expensive, but you get what you pay for. Just like most people would think that Mercedes make great cars. BUT you can't argue "market share" as a comparison because even though Mercedes are great, less than 1-2% buy them. Does that mean "Ford" makes great cars because they have higher market share? I guess it depends on your definition of "great". If "affordable" is part of your criteria, then I guess Ford could be considered "great".

Clearly Apple is doing something right with the Touch and iPhone. (or they're suckering millions of people into buying them somehow.) (I have an iPhone and love it. I'd buy it again to have the GPS golf app telling me how far I am from each hole. My wife loves the Touch because she charts baby feeding/sleeping/pooping, etc... and when women start liking a tech product they've done something great).

BUT, a tablet? I hear the rumors, but I still don't see the market. At least with "phones",... everyone wants a cel phone. Tablets? Who wants them? Even a "great" tablet that could capture 10% of the market might not be worth it. (Whereas getting 10% of the smartphone market IS worth it). Who knows.

A GOOD question to ask tablet makers (and maybe Microsoft) is how come people still buy laptops as opposed to a convertible tablet? To me it means the surcharge (which isn't that much) for having a tablet isn't worth it. Tablet makers (and Microsoft) need to make it worth it (with innovation (someone might have to explain the concept to Microsoft ;-)

[chibitrunks9]

I read some interesting point/counterpoint regarding an upcoming tablet. The can be found with links here:
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/28/...-apple-tablet/

I have to say I agree with John Gruber... this is Apple we're talking about, their attention to detail is amazing (think glass trackpad on the Macbook Pros), and if they do enter a iTablet to the market, you had better believe they have a plan for success.

[negative1]

I have to say I agree with John Gruber... this is Apple we're talking about, their attention to detail is amazing (think glass trackpad on the Macbook Pros), and if they do enter a iTablet to the market, you had better believe they have a plan for success.

maybe i read that differently,
but what i got out if it, was that apple has a prototype,
and have had for a while..

they don't know what to do with it,
and can't figure out anything that will make people really
want to buy it.

and even if they do, it will probably be such a small thing,
that despite how well built it is, its just a niche, in a niche
market..

ipods are not niche, but smartphones are a niche in the
cellphone market, so what difference the iphone made was
only a small part of the picture..

the i-tablet won't be any different if it ever comes out..

later
-1