Is the iPad in trouble with the latest Samsung offerings?

[Qodo]

Actually, Apple has already patented (U.S. patent 8,336,334) a method to bend the glass a couple years ago:

So no worries, they all working on it.

That Samsung commercial at the end of the video was awful...

 

[cynics]

I wish the iPad would just add three things (btw I know they won't I'm just saying).

Stereo speakers, its a consumption device and the competition has better sound quality directed in a better direction (at you).

Mouse cursor support. It's a big screen and there are a lot of uses for this.

A flash for the camera. I don't use my iPad for a camera because I generally want to use it for eBay, Craigslist and there is always that square shadow on the pics. It's funny I can identify what camera you used from an eBay thumbnail.

Bonus +1, this one will never be added. A file system. It doesn't have to be a "system" but just a file storage area. This way my files aren't tied to an individual app.

I have a Xoom from early 2011 that has all that stuff. So going to an iPad I was a bit spoiled. But aside from those things and a couple other basic functions I much prefer the overall experience of my iPad.

 

[SpaceKitty]

I wish the iPad would just add three things (btw I know they won't I'm just saying).

Stereo speakers, its a consumption device and the competition has better sound quality directed in a better direction (at you).

Stereo speakers could be coming since the Mini has them already.

 

[nickchallis92]

For me, the only tablets worth getting are the ones running windows 8.

Android tablets don't have enough apps
iPad has a poor OS

 

[cnev3]

Watch this apple better step up their game
http://youtu.be/N3E7fUynrZU

Step up their game is certainly the right phrase.

You don't want to be the awkward hipster with the dumb hat. You want to be the cool guy who managed to score that hotties digits after she saw his screen go limp.

 

[cualexander]

For me, the only tablets worth getting are the ones running windows 8.

Android tablets don't have enough apps
iPad has a poor OS

If only Microsoft could convince people of that...Not many people agree.

 

[Technarchy]

If only Microsoft could convince people of that...Not many people agree.

I think the Surface is super slick, but it's the OS and support that are lacking.

I came close to getting a Surface RT for the wife but ended up getting her a Chromebook instead.

 

[Fireblade]

No, because the iPad is a great device for what the average Joe is doing with a tablet.

But the Samsung Note tablets are great too, and their marketshare will grow

 

[Essenar]

The iPad will never be in trouble from any tablet except the iPad Mini. The general consumer will always want what they recognize most and they'll recognize the iPad before they recognize the Galaxy Tab this, Galaxy Note that, Galaxy Tab 4, Galaxy 10.1 Plus Extra, Galaxy Mega, Transformer, Nexus, Galaxy Nexus Tablet Plus 5, etc etc etc.

As long as the iPad is just the iPad, and the Samsung tablet is a bunch of random stuff, the iPad will do just fine.

Now if Samsung applies the S3->S4 strategy to tablets? We could see things get interesting. But they need features and and easy access approach which makes their tablet offering a better alternative than an iPad or at least the iPad Mini.

This is what I think Samsung SHOULD do if they want to challenge the iPad:
$250 Galaxy Note 8 - Offer the Note 8 at $250 but add flash to the camera and give it the S4's software. By doing this, you give people a no compromise alternative to the iPad Mini. (Sorry but the Nexus 7 sells decently but it doesn't sell 'iPad Mini' numbers because Google makes compromises with Nexus devices)

And if Apple wants to keep the iPad competitive, they need to add:
Flash to the camera
Follow through with the iPad Mini form factor
Give the iPad Mini comparable specs to the iPad 4 when the iPad 5 launches (Keep the mini one generation behind but not two full generations behind)
Centralize storage. One file for multiple apps. It shouldn't be hard for them to do this without giving users too much control over the OS.

 

[sectime]

Are there an practical uses for a flexible display other than the gimmick factor? In order for the finished product to be bendable, the internals will also have to be bendable which I'm pretty sure we're not there yet. Plus having a bendable display on a tablet doesn't give Samsung a leg up on the iPad at all. I'd rather have a high end iPad note type of offering like Samsung before I had a bendable tablet.

Well there are people who can't wait to have a flexible tablet on their forehead

 

[Shanghaichica]

No I think the nexus 7 and the kindle fire HD are more trouble for Apple.

 

[lbhskier37]

No I think the nexus 7 and the kindle fire HD are more trouble for Apple.

Kindle fire yes, nexus 7 no. Everyone I know who has a kindle fire loves it. Everyone I know who bought a nexus 7 doesn't use it anymore and bought iPads. Amazon gets it, it's the full experience, not the specs. The kindle fire is the only competition that gets it and provides a full experience. As much as forum browsers are convinced Apple is wrong to be closed, they are not the majority. People want closed. They want easy. They want it to just work. Amazon gets that, no one else does. Samsungs problem is that no matter how great they make their tablets specs, they can't provide the content that apple and amazon can. With content and an ecosystem Apple and Amazon can lock customers in. With tablets that win the spec sheet of the day race, you can't lock them in because there will always be the next better specced tablet. Does Samsung have anything HTC or Sony or Huewea couldn't put in a tablet? No way. Apple and Amazon both do.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I really hope the iPad Mini 2 delivers a Retina screen and a cheaper price point. And I hope it doesn't compromise battery life or size/weight to achieve the Retina display.

If they can pull this off, I'd be very interested in it.

I'm not convinced Android is the same experience on a tablet. I want to believe it is, but it doesn't seem like it's so. It's not hard to believe.

It's the same thing with iOS between the iPhone and the iPad. iOS' shortcomings are far more acceptable on a tablet experience (except for the abysmal keyboard). For example, the ridiculous notification banners that drop down in iOS are far more annoying on a 4" iPhone, where it blocks a portion of the screen you're on and/or the navigational pane (I still think this is absurd design). But this isn't as big of a problem on an iPad because well, it's not really blocking very much; the screen is larger. It doesn't impede on what I'm doing or what game I'm playing nor does it block any navigational panels.

That's just one example.

I hope the iPad Mini 2 delivers. I'll be keeping a close eye on both this year's Mini 2 and Nexus 7. I may be willing to give Android tablet experience a try depending on how it plays out, or I may be willing to stay with iOS for my tablet (currently own an iPad 3 but want something smaller/lighter).

 

[mib1800]

I have asus tf101 too. For me, I find android tablet better than ipad. I mainly use the tablet to surf / video /email. I need Flash support in the browser. there are just too many times ios browser went belly up on certain websites. And loading up videos to android is much easier. Doing email is generally more flexible on android.

 

[JoEw]

I really hope the iPad Mini 2 delivers a Retina screen and a cheaper price point. And I hope it doesn't compromise battery life or size/weight to achieve the Retina display.

If they can pull this off, I'd be very interested in it.

I'm not convinced Android is the same experience on a tablet. I want to believe it is, but it doesn't seem like it's so. It's not hard to believe.

It's the same thing with iOS between the iPhone and the iPad. iOS' shortcomings are far more acceptable on a tablet experience (except for the abysmal keyboard). For example, the ridiculous notification banners that drop down in iOS are far more annoying on a 4" iPhone, where it blocks a portion of the screen you're on and/or the navigational pane (I still think this is absurd design). But this isn't as big of a problem on an iPad because well, it's not really blocking very much; the screen is larger. It doesn't impede on what I'm doing or what game I'm playing nor does it block any navigational panels.

That's just one example.

I hope the iPad Mini 2 delivers. I'll be keeping a close eye on both this year's Mini 2 and Nexus 7. I may be willing to give Android tablet experience a try depending on how it plays out, or I may be willing to stay with iOS for my tablet (currently own an iPad 3 but want something smaller/lighter).

don't expect a retina mini to be any cheaper than $330.

you can turn off banners, whats the problem?

 

[SpaceKitty]

No I think the nexus 7 and the kindle fire HD are more trouble for Apple.

I don't think so. My iPad Mini kills my Nexus 7 in terms of speed and quality apps. Most of the Android apps are just scaled up versions of the phone apps. I found that out when I got a Mini. The Mini made me want to sell my Nexus 7.

I bought my Nexus 7 from someone who wanted to go back to an iPad.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I don't think so. My iPad Mini kills my Nexus 7 in terms of speed and quality apps. Most of the Android apps are just scaled up versions of the phone apps. I found that out when I got a Mini. The Mini made me want to sell my Nexus 7.

I bought my Nexus 7 from someone who wanted to go back to an iPad.

I haven't played around with the Nexus 7 but my father owns a Kindle Fire HD. It is what it is, a budget tablet that does many of the tasks you need, but in a quality lacking sort of way. Its good value however, but hardly a danger to the iPad Mini IMO.

 

[onthecouchagain]

don't expect a retina mini to be any cheaper than $330.

you can turn off banners, whats the problem?

How do you get notified?

 

[cynics]

How do you get notified?

Can't you set it so a huge thing pops up in the middle of the screen completely stopping whatever you are doing? Because that's not annoying.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Can't you set it so a huge thing pops up in the middle of the screen completely stopping whatever you are doing? Because that's not annoying.

Oh, yes. Forgot about that nifty option!

Again, banner notifications aren't as big of a deal on an iPad, but on the iPhone...

 

[beaniemyman]

well, i think ipad is in great trouble because of the latest offerings by samsung, the galaxy note 8 is a great device, the spen, touchwiz, mobile functionality, these features were enough for me to buy it, really happy with it.

 

[AppleRobert]

well, i think ipad is in great trouble because of the latest offerings by samsung, the galaxy note 8 is a great device, the spen, touchwiz, mobile functionality, these features were enough for me to buy it, really happy with it.

I bet the price scared most people away. It sure did for me personally. I will definitely keep it in the mix in the future when the price is better.

Sure seems folks have no trouble throwing down though for the cheapest large iPad which is $499. Nope, Apple ain't in trouble.

 

[beaniemyman]

I bet the price scared most people away. It sure did for me personally. I will definitely keep it in the mix in the future when the price is better.

Sure seems folks have no trouble throwing down though for the cheapest large iPad which is $499. Nope, Apple ain't in trouble.

here, check this out: http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryma...-tablet-market-share-slips-and-samsung-grows/

 

[AppleRobert]

here, check this out: http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryma...-tablet-market-share-slips-and-samsung-grows/

The iPad 4 is the culprit more than likely. While I feel it was a notable upgrade over the third gen, most do not. And while sales of the Mini trounced it, those wanting retina and a large display just kept the 3 instead of going to the 4.

Let's see what happens when the 5 is released.

 

[2298754]

I wouldn't say iPad is in trouble but they just need to try harder. The iPad is still the best tablet out there, but they can't just ignore Samsung. Its nice to see Apple finally have a "true" competitor in the marketplace. Keeps both companies in check.