Is there ipad competitor in near future?

[barkomatic]

Right now all the haters can do is point to vaporware and try to compare the iPad to technology that is only rumored. Some people just resent Apple the more successful it becomes and will look for any reason to bash their products.

The first competitors to the iPhone weren't any *better* than the iPhone. They didn't have flash, didn't have bigger hard drives or better software, cheaper data plans, etc. It's only been very recently that there are now better pieces of hardware out there compared to the *current* iPhone. That will probably change once the new iPhone is announced in a few weeks however.

In order for a new tablet to be "better" than the iPad it needs to have all the features the iPad currently has and many of the features it doesn't. Clearly, an Android pad running flash WELL on Hulu would be a big hit. Adobe is now in the game -- make no mistake. It has to demonstrate that flash has a future on mobile devices and can't afford a poorly functioning version. It would need a lot of useful apps, better and/or cheaper data connectivity and it should be contract free. If Google partners with Verizon and that carrier enforces a contract--then its DOA for that reason alone.

I'm betting such a device is forthcoming, but will take a long time to get here. I'd be surprised to see a decent one before Christmas.

 

[barefeats]

You are right, Barkomatic. It needs to match the iPad feature for feature but add a few more key ones such as "iSight" camera with software, Flash support, and 4G wireless broadband.

I'm sure Apple is hard a work at iPad 2.0 but there is a window of opportunity if Google, HTC, and Verizon team up to crank out an iPad-ish tablet.

 

[JediZenMaster]

I'm sure Apple is hard a work at iPad 2.0 but there is a window of opportunity if Google, HTC, and Verizon team up to crank out an iPad-ish tablet.

Well i suppose if a 29.99 Data plan with a 5GB cap would be progess
And that would stifle the sales for any tablet on VZW. Most people with an iPad use up way more data than that and VZW is stingy as hell with data and it's pricing.

 

[pooryou]

Google gets it. HP doesn't... not really. They never would've announced the availability timeframe of a Win7-Slate if they did.

Microsoft doesn't get it and I'm counting them out. They managed to take a front-runner mobile OS (WinCE/PPC/WinMo) and through neglect and indifference over a decade bring it to the edge of extinction. The confusing messages of Kin, WinPho7, ZuneHD, are indications that they continue to so not get it.

Except Google doesn't get it either, they are just 'good enough' to be selling as an 'iPhone substitute' on carriers where the iPhone is not available. If the iPhone was available on all the major carriers, people would be laughing at Google's attempt.

 

[HiRez]

I think though the nerds worrying about USB ports and "openness" will be on the fringe of the battle. Just depends how many of them will be developers who opt to focus on Android instead of iPhone. Consumers really don't care about this stuff, and I frankly think the masses prefer Apple's walled garden. Apple has also built a huge base of affluent customers who are willing to buy lots of apps, where the Android marketplace is driving by free. Honestly I don't see the iTunes store losing momentum.

I agree with you, I think from a technical standpoint there will be competitive tablets, they'll have more ports, bigger screens, a faster MHz rating, and so forth. But Apple understands it's the small things that make something easy and fun to use that captures mass market. I don't think people really understand just how much engineering went into the iPad until they use one for a while. Originally, for example, I was very put off by the 4x3 screen aspect ratio. But now I understand why they did it. Same with the size of the bezel. And the lack of Flash support. And the lack of USB and other ports. I don't believe I'm just buying the kool-ade, in most cases I can see valid reasons why they made the choices they did. Many of those, as you say, "fringe" buyers will probably be quite happy with their Android-based tablets, but the vast majority of people don't care and they don't read tech blogs or forums like this either.

One key thing Apple has in its pocket is battery life. I don't think anyone will be able to match 10 hours soon at that weight, performance, heat dissipation, and screen quality (IPS screens are notoriously power-hungry). Other manufacturers can use ARM chips just as Apple does, but Apple is going the extra step and optimizing those chips (the A4) specifically for their hardware and their software.

Plus, don't forget how underfeatured and slow the first generation iPhone was. By the time these other tablet manufacturers get their stuff together, Apple is going to be on to the second and third generation of iPad, which will most certainly be even more advanced.

Look at all the other attempts at tablets we've already seen, including Windows-based ones, the Joo Joo, the Entourage Edge (Android-based). These devices are horrible. Not like just not quite refined, I mean they are an absolute joke when you put them next to the iPad. Android will improve and eventually there will be decent tablets, but you can't do that overnight. Not even including all the vaporware devices such as the HP Slate, MS Courier, Dell Dash, etc. A lot of companies are cobbling together impressive looking demos, but we're not seeing them actually put these devices in people's hands. We have no idea what the performance and usability is. In short, say what you want about the iPad, but it works pretty well and it shipped when they said it would.

 

[Mike Oxsaw]

I think people need to realize that this is going to be a long game - it won't be decided only in America - and it won't be decided in the next few months.

Every manufacturer in the world is now going to be producing likely more powerful units at a lower price point.

Then there are businesses. Medicine for example, where players like Dell are strong. I can see ipad-type devices in every hospital in the world - but they are not going to be apples.

 

[Xfujinon]

I think people need to realize that this is going to be a long game - it won't be decided only in America - and it won't be decided in the next few months.

Every manufacturer in the world is now going to be producing likely more powerful units at a lower price point.

Then there are businesses. Medicine for example, where players like Dell are strong. I can see ipad-type devices in every hospital in the world - but they are not going to be apples.

Do you work in a hospital? I've got extensive experience, in hospitals, using some of these products. In short, most of them suck beyond description. Just because only a few companies are catering to a market sector does not mean that these products are any good. They may in fact be the only ones willing to take a stab at it with flimsy UIs and half-baked hardware concepts. The ER docs in my hospital very nearly threw theirs against the wall on multiple occasions. Quite simply, they do not replace good old fashioned pencil-and-paper medicine.

The iPad, however, is a very fertile ground. It fits in my white coat, weighs about the same as some of the other crap I carry that I can now ditch (certain books, etc.). It is fast, intuitive, got a beautiful screen and interface. With some careful software refinements, or the backing of a no-BS electronic medical records innovator, I can almost assure that at least 50% of doctors would give it a consideration. Think about the freedom to access PACS, or patient records, or any other thing instantly in a hospital or ER. I can see this happening. No doubt Apple (or more likely, a developer) has already seen this. My classmates in medical school are practically soiling their drawers thinking about the potential for this thing.

Just me thoughts.

 

[Mike Oxsaw]

Do you work in a hospital? I've got extensive experience, in hospitals, using some of these products. In short, most of them suck beyond description. Just because only a few companies are catering to a market sector does not mean that these products are any good. They may in fact be the only ones willing to take a stab at it with flimsy UIs and half-baked hardware concepts. The ER docs in my hospital very nearly threw theirs against the wall on multiple occasions. Quite simply, they do not replace good old fashioned pencil-and-paper medicine.

The iPad, however, is a very fertile ground. It fits in my white coat, weighs about the same as some of the other crap I carry that I can now ditch (certain books, etc.). It is fast, intuitive, got a beautiful screen and interface. With some careful software refinements, or the backing of a no-BS electronic medical records innovator, I can almost assure that at least 50% of doctors would give it a consideration. Think about the freedom to access PACS, or patient records, or any other thing instantly in a hospital or ER. I can see this happening. No doubt Apple (or more likely, a developer) has already seen this. My classmates in medical school are practically soiling their drawers thinking about the potential for this thing.

Just me thoughts.

Well I'm not disagreeing with you at all. I said this specifically because as a 'device type' it is perfectly suited to this environment.

I'm just wondering if they are going to be able to deliver the volume of units at the right place with the right level of integration to existing systems to be in the prime position to take this to market.

There's a reason you only tend see Apples at small businesses and in niche markets and that's not because they don't make good products.

And every business in every sphere has seen people 'very nearly throw' their computers at the wall at one time or another. I've been there myself on many occassions. It being an apple isn't going to solve that.

 

[PCClone]

I agree with you. I bought ipod, and soon an ipad. I wanted iphone but no $, hehe. Apple's products are attractive in many ways. I just have the Android thing in mind after the cafe and after seeing this

http://gizmodo.com/5500343/sprints-htc-evo-the-first-ever-4g-phone-meet-the-new-terrific

I assume their touch tablet would be as wonderful. I think Google got something done right
+ Good hardware spec
+ openness in App developing ( I haven't touch any Android phones, it is said to be cool, more freedom than IP OS. I hope it's true)
+ Faster internet speed.
+ Various connections

About the price and courier, I don't know, so i can't say. In my opinion, I believe in those experts whom I met in a cafe. One guy said that once the Android app market catch up, Apple will be in trouble. He showed me some apps on his Nexus. They are like clones on iphone apps. I think it's just the matter of time because many developers want their applications on both OS.

I will enjoy the ipad first and dreaming about Android one. Competitions always benefit consumers

We really don't care what the experts is a cafe in who knows where thinks about the two. Buy what you want and if it doesn't work out, sell it at the cafe. By the way, Apple is not going to be in trouble. They innovate, everyone tries to copy them and fails.

 

[Battlestar]

The competition knows that Apple just did what it had to in order to get iPhone OS 3.x to work on the iPad. All of its' features won't be revealed until iPhone OS 4.x comes out. Once that happens the other manufacturers will reverse engineer it to come out with their own products.

Look for the HP Slate powered by Web OS 2.x to be first one to take market share away from Apple.

If Apple was smart they would consider an OS license agreement. This is where they lost everything to Microsoft and they don't want a repeat of the 80's do they?