Acer exec says Apple's 'closed' iPad will drop to 20% market share
The chairman of PC maker Acer has predicted that Apple's iPad will drop to just 20 percent of the total tablet market when competing options are introduced, due to the "closed platform" of the iOS operating system.
JT Wang, chairman of Acer, spoke with the Economic Daily News and shared his prediction that the market share of the iPad will drop from 100 percent to between 20 percent and 30 percent.
Acer, like seemingly every other PC maker, is expected to get into the tablet business following the success of Apple's iPad. That's a change from earlier this year, when the company said before the iPad launched that it had no intention of competing with Apple in that market.
Wang based his prediction on recent reports that Android-based smartphone shipments had surpassed the iPhone. Google's Android mobile operating system is available on a number of devices and carriers, while iOS is only available on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
In his comments, Wang, as translated by DigiTimes, said that he believes a "closed platform" like Apple's iOS will fall to an "open" one such as Google Android. Apple does not allow customization of its operating system, and must approve every application that is made available for download through its digital App Store.
But despite being "closed," Apple's App Store has many more options than the Android Market, with about a quarter-million applications currently available for download. Android, by comparison, has more than 70,000 applications.
Wang, however, believes that the success of Android is inevitable. He noted that based on his past experience, open platforms will succeed, and he believes "Android simply needs a little more time before it turns strong."
Released in April, Apple's iPad sold more than 3 million in its first 80 days of availability. Numerous competitors have been pitching their own alternatives, but so far a major, formidable competitor has not been released.
JT Wang, chairman of Acer, spoke with the Economic Daily News and shared his prediction that the market share of the iPad will drop from 100 percent to between 20 percent and 30 percent.
Acer, like seemingly every other PC maker, is expected to get into the tablet business following the success of Apple's iPad. That's a change from earlier this year, when the company said before the iPad launched that it had no intention of competing with Apple in that market.
Wang based his prediction on recent reports that Android-based smartphone shipments had surpassed the iPhone. Google's Android mobile operating system is available on a number of devices and carriers, while iOS is only available on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
In his comments, Wang, as translated by DigiTimes, said that he believes a "closed platform" like Apple's iOS will fall to an "open" one such as Google Android. Apple does not allow customization of its operating system, and must approve every application that is made available for download through its digital App Store.
But despite being "closed," Apple's App Store has many more options than the Android Market, with about a quarter-million applications currently available for download. Android, by comparison, has more than 70,000 applications.
Wang, however, believes that the success of Android is inevitable. He noted that based on his past experience, open platforms will succeed, and he believes "Android simply needs a little more time before it turns strong."
Released in April, Apple's iPad sold more than 3 million in its first 80 days of availability. Numerous competitors have been pitching their own alternatives, but so far a major, formidable competitor has not been released.
Comments
He noted that based on his past experience, open platforms will succeed
Yes, because Windows and iPod were SO open compared to Linux. Why doesn't Linux run on every desktop in the world? Because consumers don't care about openness. They want value, utility, and entertainment. Android is looking like it will be a reasonable contender, but nothing is inevitable.
Closed: What they sell.
Same for iPod?
My thoughts exactly. Although, iTunes is "Open" as it runs on both Mac and Windows, and that's what drives the iPod (minus the iPod Touch). As opposed to the iPhone, where iOS drives the platform.
9
Even at 20% they'll still be raking in more than the competition. Hundreds of tablets will be competing for the 80%.
Oh, and btw, I'm sure Apple fully expects that their 90% share in tablet devices will fall. But if it ends up like the PC industry where they sell 5-10% of the systems but make 35% of the profits, then a 20% market share probably wouldn't be too bad. Apple is NOT interested in market share for its' own sake.
If it comes to it, that would be the top 20% of the market, with the rest racing to the bottom.
My thoughts exactly, 1 company 20% of the market. 15 or more companies the other 80%. Sounds like acer is already admitting defeat.
Huh? What is Acer ?
They are the second-largest computer company in the world. Their unit shipments dwarf those of Apple.
But all we care about is Apple, so it is easy to miss what is going on in the world around us.
If marketshare begins to slide Apple has lots of quick solutions they can make for that problem (cut prices, add features, support more networks) that will re-apply the pressure on competitors.
Customization is for the 5% geeky fringe. Most consumers could care less about reading the instructions, much less customizing their device. Ease of use and dependability are what 95% of consumers seek.
that is a fair point...but may i also point out that many Enterprises create apps for their mobile devices (as well as pc's) and having a closed platform like iOS is limiting.
Plus, the other folks have proven to lack the creativity and/or drive to succeed with their interface and experience without running afoul of Apple's copyrights and patents.
I can't wait until statements like these are proven to be as ridiculous as they sound now.
Won't have to wait long.