What specifically are the other <= 10% unhappy about?
None serious enough to leave the iPad behind, heh.
The way they see it, the iPad is a new device with new form factor, performance (capability + battery life) and UI/UX that they really like. They accept that the missing capabilities are due to the immaturity of the product (<1 year old product) and that they will be addressed by apps/iOS upgrade in the future.
If there is a single biggest complaint, it's probably full MS Office file editing compatibility.
The small sample around me (about 20 users in their 30s-40s, mid-top management types) all move from WIFI to 3G iPads. We're not in US, so I can't comment about the AT&T situation. But from the iPad users I've seen: >90% are happy with their device, brings their iPad on vacation than a note/netbook, and they usually end up upgrading to 3G version if they have the WIFI.
Also... interestingly, only about half of them were Apple users in the past, and after 'experiencing' iPad about half of those took up iPhone 4.
e: er, my point is, once the users move to tablets, they realize that they can do some 60-90% of their mobile work on their tablet and they'd more likely opt to get the always-connected option.
It's interesting that the core demographic that you speak of probably have enough cash to buy a second device (or 3G iPad in the first place), where as many may scrutinize the decision against their income statements.
The web chatter is such that a secondary 3G device is a needless expense, especially considering the tether-ability baked into many of todays smartphones.
It's interesting that the core demographic that you speak of probably have enough cash to buy a second device (or 3G iPad in the first place), where as many may scrutinize the decision against their income statements.
The web chatter is such that a secondary 3G device is a needless expense, especially considering the tether-ability baked into many of todays smartphones.
You've gotta point...
But there's a pretty big issue when you use your primary phone as a portable hotspot, it drains the battery very very fast; making it mostly useful only when you're close to a power source (Cars, hotels).
But there's a pretty big issue when you use your primary phone as a portable hotspot, it drains the battery very very fast; making it mostly useful only when you're close to a power source (Cars, hotels).
Heh heh .. Where is it written that the general consumer is far-sighted?
I agree. I see the folly of tethering from both a power and practicality standpoint, and would rather purchase a device that could always be connected independently -- especially given the flexibility of existing prepaid options. This is why I'm a fan of the Tab, rather than a cheaper WiFi only device.
Of course, I'd argue that most consumers will not consider it from that perspective, which may initially hurt the adoption of the Tab or sale of the 3G iPad.
On a separate note
I never asked but: what do you think of the Tab?
Heh heh .. Where is it written that the general consumer is far-sighted?
lol heh
Originally Posted by
I agree. I see the folly of tethering from both a power and practicality standpoint, and would rather purchase a device that could always be connected independently -- especially given the flexibility of existing prepaid options. This is why I'm a fan of the Tab, rather than a cheaper WiFi only device.
Yes, there's a good case for a mifi-like device here. I've never tried the real mifi, but I have a huawei E5830 which seems to be a smaller mifi with a smaller power source. It works ok, but not perfect - and the smaller power (some 3 hrs of continuous use? much longer on idle) is still its achilles heels.
When looking from their power capacity, one would think these tablets with big batteries (ie: iPad's can go for 10hrs) would serve perfectly as your personal hotspot base station that you can store in your backpack/bags/suitcase. Except that your (smart)phone is still the gadget that stays with you much more during your days... so you definitely can't leave out a data plan from it.
Soooo.... I still have not seen any 'perfect' solution for the time being. The incremental cost for a 3G tablet also pales in comparison to your data charges anyway, so I don't think it's a significant price difference ($130 difference in iPad's case, less than $11 per month for a year).
Originally Posted by
On a separate note
I never asked but: what do you think of the Tab?
I think the Tab is great. I'd definitely keep a close eye on that when it's available
I'm still skeptical on the DLNA functionalities because I don't get such great experience from my Samsung LED screen (series 7 I believe). Too much buffering and the interface is not optimized for long lists of media and contents. I use an XBMC atom box instead to stream my medias... (720p and 1080p content).
I guess it fits the tablet usecase much better though. There'd be much less media contained on a tablet and they'd be of lower bitrate/smaller size to be manageable by the system.
The last point may sound superficial, but I notice the android tab uses much less transitional animations than iOS. I hope they address that.
It's my opinion that Apple has created a dilemma with the iPad: What to do with the MacBook. The iPad is currently being dumbed down with iOS. But how long can that last? Another year maybe?
In the meantime, Samsung and others will gladly fill the iPad productivity void.
So, "if I was Apple's CEO," I would either buy or steal from Always Innovating and properly engineer something like this:
The main office is in San Francisco I think; I wouldn't even make them move. But their designer would probably have to go.
She's not a techie, so perhaps this is a sign that a device like this really with casual users.
I showed my mom the videos and even SHE (not only a non-techie, but someone that used to even BEAT me as a kid for spending all my time around computers... yeah, not making it up--decades later, I feel justified)... even SHE wants one, now. She LOVES what it does. On the other hand, she also (in recent years) decided to go Kubuntu and she not only doesn't know how to use Windows but when she's pressed to have to use it--even with someone to help her, she *****es and moans about how it's missing all sorts of things Kubuntu can do. It makes me feel good for Samsung's Tab that even she wants one.
The main office is in San Francisco I think; I wouldn't even make them move. But their designer would probably have to go.
That's a pretty good roughly two hour drive--I've done it. (I used to live only minutes away from Apple's Cupertino office across from DeAnza College, back when I lived in Santa Clara, CA.) I'd generally tend to agree overall with that move--but it's not like that's atypical for that area (that is, tech companies swallowing each other out nearby like this).
