A recipe for Amazon's rumored iPad competitor.

Posted:
in iPad edited January 2014
SPOT ON



"People don't buy an iPad because they want to replace a PC; they buy it because they want to escape their PC."



"So here's another idea: Someone ought to make a tablet that sets out to do less than the iPad?but better. I'm thinking of a tablet that doesn't claim to be faster, doesn't try to run Flash, doesn't try to do video-conferencing or movie editing, won't attempt multitasking, and doesn't match the iPad's battery life. But what it does do, it will do beautifully.



Exactly............



Slate

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TenoBell View Post


    Someone ought to make a tablet that sets out to do less than the iPad—but better. I'm thinking of a tablet that doesn't claim to be faster, doesn't try to run Flash, doesn't try to do video-conferencing or movie editing, won't attempt multitasking, and doesn't match the iPad's battery life. But what it does do, it will do beautifully.



    Like a Kindle?



    The trouble with limited utility devices is you still have to put a nice screen on it and if you want it to play HD video, you still have to have enough storage and a fast enough CPU/GPU.



    Once you have the expensive parts, you can't make a limited utility device otherwise no one will buy it because it doesn't offer enough value.



    Apple has almost made the perfect choices with the iPad and managed to hit a competitive price. The competition will try every strategy in the book but the only sure way they can rival the iPad is to practically give their product away at a loss and find some other way to make money.



    Making something that does less just won't work better because you have to remember that there's a separation between the hardware and software. The integrated approach is Apple's way and no one will beat them on their home turf this time.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    tenobelltenobell Posts: 7,014member
    The article essentially says to not even compete directly with the iPad. They are talking about creating a device that offers services and does what it does very well.



    Amazon already has a portfolio of services that would work well on a tablet platform. And could leverage those services into an easy to use device.



    The author specifically said to not compete directly with the iPad. That is battling Apple on Apple's terms and you will loose.
  • Reply 3 of 6
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,309moderator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TenoBell View Post


    The author specifically said to not compete directly with the iPad. That is battling Apple on Apple's terms and you will loose.



    But is there a market for something that does less than an iPad? The joojoo was basically a web browser tablet and died because nobody wants just a browser tablet.



    If someone sells a tablet with a low quality display, low storage, no apps, limited OS, plastic case for say $300, someone will just say you can get an iPad with apps, integrated OS, iTunes support, movie rentals, hundreds of thousands of apps, robust enclosure, high quality screen for just $200 more.



    A limited utility device has to pick a feature set to stick with and hope the market is big enough:



    - ebook readers have been done and need e-ink displays, they work well but have a very specific use

    - tablets with no apps, just browsing, movies and photos still need a large, high quality screen and good battery life and there's no way you can make a decent quality device and profit from it for under $300

    - tablets with an OS like Android have apps by default so you immediately compete with Apple and fail



    If someone can make a low enough priced tablet, they can hit a high volume of users but they'd have to make some smart decisions about what people would be willing to pay for in such a device.
  • Reply 4 of 6
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    But is there a market for something that does less than an iPad? The joojoo was basically a web browser tablet and died because nobody wants just a browser tablet.



    If someone sells a tablet with a low quality display, low storage, no apps, limited OS, plastic case for say $300, someone will just say you can get an iPad with apps, integrated OS, iTunes support, movie rentals, hundreds of thousands of apps, robust enclosure, high quality screen for just $200 more.



    If someone can make a low enough priced tablet, they can hit a high volume of users but they'd have to make some smart decisions about what people would be willing to pay for in such a device.



    All the author described is a Nook Color. And it sells OK with no advertising at all.



    It has a curated appstore (Pandora being her favorite unsurprisingly. She listens to country musicv while doing crossword puzzles on it)), wi-fi, and a decent web browser allowing my wife to look up recipes, reseach what new ailment she suffers from\ and check her email. I've even responded to posts here on it once in awhile. Books and magazines are handled pretty darn well, as good as on an iPad. Lots of reader customization for typefaces, point sizes, text color, etc. Battery life is better than Apple's product and the screen is pretty much identical to the iPad, albeit smaller. We even discovered the box it came in is designed for use as an easel, allowing her to read without holding it in her hand. Coulda saved $35 on a 3rd party one if we'd realized that earlier.



    In a nutshell it does everything my wife needs a tablet to do at half the price of Apple's product. And I have no doubt there's lots of potential tablet buyers who need no more than this from one.
  • Reply 5 of 6
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    DigiTimes, a frequent source for rumors reported by AppleInsider, is claiming a 10.1 inch slate is on the way from Amazon in the spring. Reportedly being built by FoxConn, the screen size would suggest a fully-capable Android tablet, joining a Quanta-built 7" device said to be shipping within weeks at a price well under Apple's iPad (as it should be).



    http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110831PD211.html
  • Reply 6 of 6
    dave k.dave k. Posts: 1,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post


    DigiTimes, a frequent source for rumors reported by AppleInsider, is claiming a 10.1 inch slate is on the way from Amazon in the spring. Reportedly being built by FoxConn, the screen size would suggest a fully-capable Android tablet, joining a Quanta-built 7" device said to be shipping within weeks at a price well under Apple's iPad (as it should be).



    http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110831PD211.html



    This the same bullsh*t rumor that is being spread across multiple sites for the past month or so. Seeing how Amazon still can't sell their Kindle for $99, I don't understand why people think Amazon will sell their tablet low enough to significantly undercut Apple's iPad...
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