An Android tablet PC boom in 2011

[TallShaw]

wow, an article subtitled "Android-based tablet PCs promise to be this year's big winner" that does not even mention iPad, the pink elephant in the room.
From all industry reports that I've read, iPad will be grabbing the lion's share of the tablet market this year, with competitors roughly 1 year behind technologically. So, Android-based tablets will be the Zunes and ... wow, I can't even remember the names of any non-Apple mp3 players...!
Article again confirms my impression that the entire IT-industry of South Africa seems to be somehow anti-Apple.

Or possibly, you're just paranoid

Android has just recently beaten apple to take 2nd place in the smart phone sector, with RIM keeping the top slot. By all accounts, I would say that there is a massive shift towards android devices.

And I'm not sure what industry reports you've been reading, ones that feature on apple only sites perhaps? But 2011 will be the year of the android tablet. With 50 something devices being released throughout the course of the year, android's winning wild card is choice.

Many of those devices will not see the back end of 2012. But the top 10 android devices certainly need a 2nd look. They eclipse the ipad in just about every way, screen resolution, weight, graphics, CPU power etc. And from an operating system point of view, Android 3.0 has also been developed specifically for tablets, whereas iOS4 is at its core, a smartphone operating system.

And one of the biggest new advancements, at least for me, is that tablets are becoming multi-functional media devices. Being able to output FULLHD, have integrated keyboard and mouse attachments to transform into an easily transported netbook, being able to switch between android and win7 in a blink of an eye.

Oh yes, and flash

So yes, maybe when the ipad came out its competitors were behind. But thankfully, they've caught up and outrun apple in just about every way. Perhaps apple released the ipad a tad too early. And have subsequently missed out on many critical extras that their competitors will certainly capitalize on.

 

[TJ99]

So yes, maybe when the ipad came out its competitors were behind. But thankfully, they've caught up and outrun apple in just about every way. Perhaps apple released the ipad a tad too early. And have subsequently missed out on many critical extras that their competitors will certainly capitalize on.

If only that mattered.. People who buy Apple stuff will keep buying Apple stuff, no matter how many basic, obvious functions they leave out, how insane their prices are, (especially when you have to pay someone to replace the battery, lol) or how patronizing their adverts and press releases are. Just like some people like their brand of car, no matter how **** the car is, or their band, no matter how **** the latest album is, people will stick to their icrap. Logic or common sense don't really matter much.

 

[rorz0r]

Or possibly, you're just paranoid

Android has just recently beaten apple to take 2nd place in the smart phone sector, with RIM keeping the top slot. By all accounts, I would say that there is a massive shift towards android devices.

And I'm not sure what industry reports you've been reading, ones that feature on apple only sites perhaps? But 2011 will be the year of the android tablet. With 50 something devices being released throughout the course of the year, android's winning wild card is choice.

Many of those devices will not see the back end of 2012. But the top 10 android devices certainly need a 2nd look. They eclipse the ipad in just about every way, screen resolution, weight, graphics, CPU power etc. And from an operating system point of view, Android 3.0 has also been developed specifically for tablets, whereas iOS4 is at its core, a smartphone operating system.

And one of the biggest new advancements, at least for me, is that tablets are becoming multi-functional media devices. Being able to output FULLHD, have integrated keyboard and mouse attachments to transform into an easily transported netbook, being able to switch between android and win7 in a blink of an eye.

Oh yes, and flash

So yes, maybe when the ipad came out its competitors were behind. But thankfully, they've caught up and outrun apple in just about every way. Perhaps apple released the ipad a tad too early. And have subsequently missed out on many critical extras that their competitors will certainly capitalize on.

Don't forget the lack of a camera...

 

[TallShaw]

@ TJ99 yip, its called brand loyalty...

 

[hammell]

And me

I have 7 Android based tablets now and love them. 5 * 10.2 Inch and 2 * 8 Inch. The whole family uses them and we all love them.

It is down to personal choice. You prefer apple then use apple. You prefer android then use android. If we did not have choice there would not be competition that would make the products we love better.

+10000000. Finally an Android user who doesn't think that if you don't use what they use there's something wrong with you!

 

[TJ99]

"Brand loyalty" makes it sound like a good thing, they should change the name to "brand idiocy" or "brand ignorance"

 

[robkowa]

@ Boomstomp: "Android-based tablet PCs promise to be this year's big winner" suggests the following sorts of things: a) will have the largest market share, b) will grow market share faster than any other tablets, c) outsell the competition, d) have the larest mind-share, any of those metrics. What else would 'winner' mean? My point is that this is inconsistent with recently aired views of analysts at J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Ticonderoga Securities, and RBC Capital Markets. As reported at http://www.appleinsider.com/article...l_viewed_as_tablet_leader_on_wall_street.html. True, an Apple site, but I assume that the information was reported correctly.

@ TallShaw: no, I'm not paranoid. I'm not an Apple fan boy, I'm just reporting fact: having come here from Europe, I report that the general consumer and professional computing environment in SA is entirely Windoze dominated: there is zero Mac support (or even Mac awareness) in most institutions, businesses, on the internet, etc. (SABC until recently was incompatible with Safari. So is my employer's website, still. ISPs provide no Mac support, examples can be multiplied.) It used to be like that in Europe in the 90s, but at least in the UK, France, and Germany (in all of which I've lived) it's not like that anymore. So being down here is like in being in a time warp, IT-wise.
I just added MyBB to the phenomenon, with articles that often make no mention of Apple products (there are frequent roundups of smartphones with titles like "the best smartphone in 2010" etc., that don't mention the iPhone, which is just plane weird).

 

[robkowa]

plane=plain

 

[news24]

Or possibly, you're just paranoid

Android has just recently beaten apple to take 2nd place in the smart phone sector, with RIM keeping the top slot. By all accounts, I would say that there is a massive shift towards android devices.

And I'm not sure what industry reports you've been reading, ones that feature on apple only sites perhaps? But 2011 will be the year of the android tablet. With 50 something devices being released throughout the course of the year, android's winning wild card is choice.

Many of those devices will not see the back end of 2012. But the top 10 android devices certainly need a 2nd look. They eclipse the ipad in just about every way, screen resolution, weight, graphics, CPU power etc. And from an operating system point of view, Android 3.0 has also been developed specifically for tablets, whereas iOS4 is at its core, a smartphone operating system.

And one of the biggest new advancements, at least for me, is that tablets are becoming multi-functional media devices. Being able to output FULLHD, have integrated keyboard and mouse attachments to transform into an easily transported netbook, being able to switch between android and win7 in a blink of an eye.

Oh yes, and flash

So yes, maybe when the ipad came out its competitors were behind. But thankfully, they've caught up and outrun apple in just about every way. Perhaps apple released the ipad a tad too early. And have subsequently missed out on many critical extras that their competitors will certainly capitalize on.

1. Have you used an Android or iPad tablet lately? You talk about the iOS4 being a smartphone OS, can iPad apps run on an iPhone?

2. No one is as consistent as Apple when it comes to mobile OS, take a look at software updates, apple updates all their devices regardless of geographic location, now look at us Galaxy S owners using Android 2.1, we've been waiting for Froyo, it's already out there but we can't have it just yet .

3. Specs really don't mean jack, if you have a Core i5 running Vista vs a Core i5 running Ubuntu Maverick, which one would run faster and provide less headache?. Ultimately the OS, GUI and Apps play an integral part in what an average consumer decides on which device to buy. While us, tech fanatics look at the specs.

4. My Galaxy S can't run flash, I know that it will be able to run it once updated 2 Froyo, but I don't miss it, I don't even want it, I've yet to see a mobile devices that run flash flawlessly including the Galaxy Tab, scrolling becomes jerky if flash is running, Flash? meh, Since when did it become a spec or feature?

5. This will be an exciting year for tablets, I love competition. But I just have to rub it in, many anti-Apple fanboys questioned the need for a new class of device(sandwiched between the smartphone & netbook), now they are all looking forward to tablets, they also discredited the iPad for lack of USB port, FTW!, most of the tablets at CES didn't even have a USB port.

If only that mattered.. People who buy Apple stuff will keep buying Apple stuff, no matter how many basic, obvious functions they leave out, how insane their prices are, (especially when you have to pay someone to replace the battery, lol) or how patronizing their adverts and press releases are. Just like some people like their brand of car, no matter how **** the car is, or their band, no matter how **** the latest album is, people will stick to their icrap. Logic or common sense don't really matter much.

Some people, are looking for simplicity, staying on the topic of tablets, the iPad is the best priced Tablet at the moment, compare it against the Galaxy Tab, which has a smaller, non IPS display and is made out of Plastic instead of an aluminium body. Your getting a bang for your buck with the iPad. Galaxy Tab is younger by how many months to the iPad? Yet the iPad can still ace with a 10hr battery life. Please note that I'm making a comparison with the Tab because it's the only viable competitor to the iPad and you can actually go the store and buy it right now. Also the iPad got updates since its lauch and it can be stated with confidence that 2012 this time the 1st generation iPad would still be getting updates, What about the Tab? Come on, Samsung has a bad track record when it comes to updates, sadly I have a fetish for their products, I bought the i900 Omnia & am now using the i9000 Galaxy S

Don't forget the lack of a camera...

I believe that the only camera that you need is a front camera, as for a back camera on a tablet, I don't see it's use. Anyways I've never had too much use for cameras but to make sex tapes.

 

[TJ99]

Some people, are looking for simplicity, staying on the topic of tablets, the iPad is the best priced Tablet at the moment, compare it against the Galaxy Tab, which has a smaller, non IPS display and is made out of Plastic instead of an aluminium body. Your getting a bang for your buck with the iPad. Galaxy Tab is younger by how many months to the iPad? Yet the iPad can still ace with a 10hr battery life. Please note that I'm making a comparison with the Tab because it's the only viable competitor to the iPad and you can actually go the store and buy it right now.

Please...

As an example, Hp has been making tablet PC's for several years, most of them, even years ago, knocking the crap out of an applepad. For example, the top of the range ipad costs about R11.5k right? For pretty much the same money, you can get an Hp touchsmart tm2-2100 which can be used as a tablet or a laptop, so that's already an advantage. Some specs, the ipad is the first figure, HP tablet second: RAM: 256MB vs 4GB(expandable). Storage: 64GB vs 320 or 500GB. CPU: 1GHz A4 vs 1.3GHz Core i3. Resolution: 1024x768 vs 1280x800

Yes, the ipad has 3G capability (not that it does much good in SA with our crazy data pricing), but the HP has things that are actually useful and important, like USB ports, and most importantly, it runs Windows (and you can install another OS if you feel like it), so you can use proper programs on it, not just those that some guys somewhere decide are suitable for you.

Don't talk to me about simplicity, seriously if someone can't figure out how to use Windows 7 they don't deserve to have technology more complex than a toaster. And yes, the HP is also made out of aluminium, like that matters. Bear in mind that this was just the first thing I found on their website quickly,I'm sure there are loads of other examples, which are likely much cheaper, because as much as Apple is ripping people off, Hp is not exactly cheap either.

 

[news24]

Please...

As an example, Hp has been making tablet PC's for several years, most of them, even years ago, knocking the crap out of an applepad. For example, the top of the range ipad costs about R11.5k right? For pretty much the same money, you can get an Hp touchsmart tm2-2100 which can be used as a tablet or a laptop, so that's already an advantage. Some specs, the ipad is the first figure, HP tablet second: RAM: 256MB vs 4GB(expandable). Storage: 64GB vs 320 or 500GB. CPU: 1GHz A4 vs 1.3GHz Core i3. Resolution: 1024x768 vs 1280x800

Yes, the ipad has 3G capability (not that it does much good in SA with our crazy data pricing), but the HP has things that are actually useful and important, like USB ports, and most importantly, it runs Windows (and you can install another OS if you feel like it), so you can use proper programs on it, not just those that some guys somewhere decide are suitable for you.

Don't talk to me about simplicity, seriously if someone can't figure out how to use Windows 7 they don't deserve to have technology more complex than a toaster. And yes, the HP is also made out of aluminium, like that matters. Bear in mind that this was just the first thing I found on their website quickly,I'm sure there are loads of other examples, which are likely much cheaper, because as much as Apple is ripping people off, Hp is not exactly cheap either.

Dude are you serious? Epic Fail!

HP demonstrated the Slate before the iPad was launched, with Steve Ballmer showing that it can run a fully fledged Windows7, however HP did realise that their product was not suitable for main stream consumers and they choose to instead focus on corporate market. Now onto your baseless rant, compare apples with apples, go to the HP website and see the wording on their "tablet" they are calling it "Notebook PC" and that's not a typo. The Touchsmart Notebook is meant more for content creation than it is for content consumption, hence it's beefy specs. Note that on my previous post, I was talking about Android Tablets because they are the natural competitor to the iPad and they share the segment. Apple saw an opportunity and created the tablet segment(I know there were tablets before, but they were not targeted at general consumer, like what the Xoom, PLaybook, Tab and iPad do.), earlier tablets, were expensive, heavy and the software was just not intuitive.

Pricewise, don't blame Apple for suppliers wanting to profiteer, the flagship 64GB 3G iPad can be bought for R5803 in the US. It has been estimated that Apple might have sold between 14 and 19 million iPads in 2010 alone, how many tablets has HP shipped since its existence? The iPad is not a netbook or a notebook and it's not marketed as such. Re-read my post before posting another one

 

[TJ99]

They actually call it a notebook/tablet. And Hp didn't invent it either, as I said. It was just the first example that came to mind. Before "Longhorn" (Vista) was even anounced, never mind Win 7, Windows XP had a Tablet PC Edition, running on tablets. They were marketed at anyone who wanted a computer that you could take with you and had a touch screen interface, definitely not just the corporate market. In fact most people I knew about used it for watching movies or photos or reading. You're the one talking nonsense about "a new class of device".. it isn't. People were just ignorant. That's probably my single biggest issue with Apple stuff, they always have to pretend like they invented or created something revolutionary, when it has been around for ages. If they were more honest or if people knew better, I wouldn't mind. See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tablet_computers and this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Tablet_PC

And just because people were too stupid or uninformed to buy them in the past doesn't mean anything. Just because more people buy or support something, doesn't mean it's better, it just means people are stupid. Example, more than half of Zimbabwe voted for Mugabe. Must be awesome then, right? The best selling single since the UK and US charts began is Candle in the Wind by Elton John. mmmmm. A large percentage of the US population still believe the earth is about 6000 years old. And don't even get me started on how many schoolgirls love the Twilight movies.

Never mind, you're just going to ignore everything I've said. Maybe we'll have this discussion again in a few years time, when Apple convinces everyone that they invented another technology that has been around for a while, yet is seeing a slow adoption. Maybe Blu-Ray discs... They can call it the iRay, and you have to send it back to them every now and again to get any dust cleaned off at a not-so-nominal fee.

 

[ToSsMaStR]

Article again confirms my impression that the entire IT-industry of South Africa seems to be somehow anti-Apple.

Oh my, the secret is out "SA's entire IT-industry" is against Apple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those, sick sick BASTARDS!!!!

 

[mercurial]

How could the author FORGET?!
With a title like "An Android tablet PC boom in 2011", how could they NOT mention the iPad, for certain the best Android-based device EVER!!

If only that mattered.. People who buy Apple stuff will keep buying Apple stuff, no matter how many basic, obvious functions they leave out, how insane their prices are, (especially when you have to pay someone to replace the battery, lol) or how patronizing their adverts and press releases are. Just like some people like their brand of car, no matter how **** the car is, or their band, no matter how **** the latest album is, people will stick to their icrap. Logic or common sense don't really matter much.

This.

"Brand loyalty" makes it sound like a good thing, they should change the name to "brand idiocy" or "brand ignorance"

And that.

 

[drukkie]

True, an Apple site, but I assume that the information was reported correctly.

LOL Apple unbiased?

 

[drukkie]

2. No one is as consistent as Apple when it comes to mobile OS, take a look at software updates, apple updates all their devices regardless of geographic location, now look at us Galaxy S owners using Android 2.1, we've been waiting for Froyo, it's already out there but we can't have it just yet .

uhm correction here....you couldn't even get the ipad here nevermind updates....the only way you could get one was import...well import is still the best way to get one in SA.

But on that note i just have to say thanks for Apple and their loyal followers. Thanks for the RD department forking out millions and the supporters footing the bill.
We will just copy, make it better and rub it in your face LOL

 

[TallShaw]

It has been estimated that Apple might have sold between 14 and 19 million iPads in 2010 alone.

Citation needed.

Steve Ballmer and HP are launching their own tablet Feb 9th. Its not using windows7 or android but is built on a palm bought os called WebOS. Just FYI.

1. Have you used an Android or iPad tablet lately? You talk about the iOS4 being a smartphone OS, can iPad apps run on an iPhone?

sigh, talking about the OS not the apps that run on it.

2. No one is as consistent as Apple when it comes to mobile OS, take a look at software updates, apple updates all their devices regardless of geographic location, now look at us Galaxy S owners using Android 2.1, we've been waiting for Froyo, it's already out there but we can't have it just yet .

Guess you should have gone with an HTC.

3. Specs really don't mean jack, if you have a Core i5 running Vista vs a Core i5 running Ubuntu Maverick, which one would run faster and provide less headache?. Ultimately the OS, GUI and Apps play an integral part in what an average consumer decides on which device to buy. While us, tech fanatics look at the specs.

What a strange analogy, what tablet or mobile phone do you know running Vista? The world already knows that Android or even win7 for mobile are solid OS's. Add to them high spec'd tablets/mobile phones and you have a recipe for awesome. I'm not sure how you can honestly attempt to dispute that.

4. My Galaxy S can't run flash, I know that it will be able to run it once updated 2 Froyo, but I don't miss it, I don't even want it, I've yet to see a mobile devices that run flash flawlessly including the Galaxy Tab, scrolling becomes jerky if flash is running, Flash? meh, Since when did it become a spec or feature?

I'm starting to get the impression that your choice of mobile has unfortunately clouded your judgment here. I have an HTC Desire and have never had any of the problems you have experienced. Next time, do research before purchasing a device.

5. This will be an exciting year for tablets, I love competition. But I just have to rub it in, many anti-Apple fanboys questioned the need for a new class of device(sandwiched between the smartphone & netbook), now they are all looking forward to tablets, they also discredited the iPad for lack of USB port, FTW!, most of the tablets at CES didn't even have a USB port.

citation needed. Maybe you should do some more research and have a look at some android specs before making wild assumptions.

Some people, are looking for simplicity, staying on the topic of tablets, the iPad is the best priced Tablet at the moment, compare it against the Galaxy Tab, which has a smaller, non IPS display and is made out of Plastic instead of an aluminium body. Your getting a bang for your buck with the iPad. Galaxy Tab is younger by how many months to the iPad? Yet the iPad can still ace with a 10hr battery life. Please note that I'm making a comparison with the Tab because it's the only viable competitor to the iPad and you can actually go the store and buy it right now. Also the iPad got updates since its lauch and it can be stated with confidence that 2012 this time the 1st generation iPad would still be getting updates, What about the Tab? Come on, Samsung has a bad track record when it comes to updates, sadly I have a fetish for their products, I bought the i900 Omnia & am now using the i9000 Galaxy S

Again, your bad luck choosing samsung in South Africa, maybe next time you should just get yourself an iPhone because it sounds like you're secretly a closet apple fanboy

Seriously though, if you want simplicity, go for the ipad. If you want more out of your tablet, wait for a decent android tablet.

Oh and the article said 2011 is the year of the tablet. So using the samsung tablet as a comparison to the ipad is again not a great one to make. Besides the fact that the samsung tab is not competing directly with the ipad in any case. 7' vs 10'.

I was quite looking forward to getting my hands on an iPad. As simple an os as it was, it was still an awesome device. But as soon as news of android tablets started appearing, I instead decided to wait for an android tablet that is better suited to me, better OS, specs, res, outputs etc. Looking at what's coming this year, I am so glad I didn't shell out 8-10k for an ipad.

Asus EEE Pad or Motorlo Xoom for the win.

 

[Zen17h]

I'm looking forward to these upcoming Honeycomb tablets, but most of them seem to be 10" tablets. I'm looking for one that's 7" or 8", similar to the Galaxy Tab. So far I only know of the Asus MIMO that really looks like it can fit that category. (Also it's rumored that Samsung will announce a new Galaxy tab in the coming month, but I've heard very bad things about Samsung recently)

I actually want to easily use the tablet with one hand and, if needed, also just put it in my pocket when not using it, so the larger models are really not so appealing. Anyone know of any other Honeycomb tablets that will be released that look promising?

 

[jacauc]

the entire IT-industry of South Africa seems to be somehow anti-Apple.

loving it!

 

[tctm]

Look out for the Motorola XOOM as well. Pretty neat tablet running Android 3.0.

I want one too but I think it will be more expensive than the iPad when it eventually gets here.