Tag Archives: iPad competition
thechromesource Weekend: Links for 8/29/10
Posted on 29. Aug, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 
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PCWorld tries to put all of the Google Voice integration in Gmail hype into perspective.
Google has added more themes for Chrome to the Extensions Gallery.
How will the recent changes in Orkut reflect on Google’s strategy on social networking?
The wait time to receive an iPad purchase has been greatly reduced, which will help Apple battle its tablet competitors.
Paul Allen’s Interval Licensing has sued Google, among thirteen other technology companies, for patent infringement.
Best Buy VP: Content Important to Putting Tablets on Shelves
Posted on 22. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Best Buy’s Vice President of computing Jason Bonfig recently spoke with Laptop Magazine about what it’s going to take for him to put tablet that compete with the iPad in stores. Yes, things like form factor are important, but the real driving factor will be content for the device. Not just applications, but the ability to use a tablet as a portal for all sorts of things: music, movies and the web along with apps.
It’s true. We’ve seen some tablets come out running Android, and at Computex there were a ton of Windows tablets on display. But people don’t want another computer, one that doesn’t have a keyboard. They want a new experience, one that is different from possibly even the iPad. Although Bonfig didn’t talk about Chrome OS specifically (he name dropped MeeGo instead) the reality is that an interesting new device that takes advantage of the web’s potential is the future of tablet computing.
Bonfig doesn’t even see that great of a future for netbooks, either. The way he looks at it, netbooks all seem the same to him. They do all seem to have the same specifications, and if they aren’t using ARM or something like that, why bother? Netbooks are going to have to innovate to keep their place in the gadget world.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/12/10
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
iPad killer on its way? Google and Verizon are reportedly working on an Android tablet to battle Apple’s slate.
Signs are pointing to the fact that Google may be getting more involved in the gaming business over the next few years.
Does Google need to pull the plug on Chrome OS? At least one intrepid blogger seems to think so, complete with five reasons why.
Here is a guide to four features in Gmail that many people do not know exist.
The Google Moderator API has been released, allowing for more collaboration abilities in Wave as well as possible Android apps.
Why Put Android on a Tablet? Convenience
Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 8 Comments
I’m a tad concerned here about the speculation that Google is going to release a tablet to compete with Apple that is loaded with Android. The understanding has been that Android would be the operating system for devices that have a maximum screen size of around five inches, but since the New York Times has put out a story saying Eric Schmidt is boasting that there is a Google tablet in the works running Android, there isn’t much I can say to refute that claim.
Android, much like the iPhone OS, already has a built-in applications store called Android Market. Having an inventory of applications ready-made for a tablet would be a great idea to compete with Apple, but something more compelling than that needs to be done to try to go up against the iPad. Perhaps maybe this device will be an innovative e-reader that is specifically for media – perhaps not as big as Apple’s tablet so that it is a bit easier to tote around.
This could also be an indication that Chrome OS is going to take longer than expected to reach a mature development cycle. Remember, Android was first announced back in 2007, and didn’t reach a stage where manufacturers started producing a slew of smartphones until late last year.
Also interesting to note is the fact that Google only supports the Android Market for smartphones right now, so any Google-branded tablet would get first dibs on a profit-rich application market for tablets. This information can be found from the “Available Devices” section of the Android Developers Guide.
It’s really anyone’s guess what may happen. Google wants to have a device out as soon as possible in order to fully compete with what will be a wide array of tablets that are expected to arrive in the very near future.
Apple’s Strategy: iPad the Bottom Line – Before the Competition
Posted on 30. Jan, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
There is no speculation at this point that Apple’s tablet has been way overhyped – but it’s been some great free marketing. Plus, the iPad has a leg up on its rivals in that it does not have any solid competition right now in this segment. Many are saying that at $499 ($130 if you want wireless 3G) for the entry level 16GB iPad that this tablet is a good price. But the reality is that it’s a good price because there are not many tablet products out there as well as the fact that it’s a pretty cheap Apple product.
The only other tablet products that are out now are made by PC manufacturers such as HP and Lenovo, but these devices usually come with Windows 7, have swivel keyboards and cost over $1,500. Those products are tagerted toward businesses, and that’s a totally different market altogether than what the iPad is currently focusing on.
What you’re getting is essentially a larger iPhone – without the phone. There’s no camera, you cannot multitask and typing anything other than short texts are going to be difficult unless Apple has some really groundbreaking technology in this product. And did I mention that the operating system for the iPad is closed source?
Apple still doesn’t offer a product in the netbook genre. Instead, they are releasing a tablet. This may be a good idea for them – but I have a feeling once the competition heats up that only those who are Apple diehards are going to want an iPad. In fact, at a recent presentation at Google’ London headquarters, Senior Product Manager of Search Anders Sandholm basically had to go the “no comment” route when asked about whether Chrome OS will have a multitouch tablet product.
Final thought? Apple is going to have a cash cow on their hands – until Google gets a product from a manufacturer like HTC or maybe even an MSI product running Android. Also Motorola has announced plans to bring out a product that is cheaper and has more capabilities. And there’s no doubt that many other companies are going to announce their plans as well.
Don’t believe that Apple is just using this tablet to pad the bottom line from slower iPod sales? Look at this bill of materials report on the iPad by Computerworld. Interpretation? Apple has room to drop this price when competitors arrive, but they will try to keep their healthy margins as long as they can.
