2011 Year of the Other Guys Tablet ?

[Glideslope]

1) What proprietary firmware? I've not seen any that affects mainstream app developers. I've only seen such that adds value to a particular device. E.g. Samsung adding their cool settings shortcuts to the notification shade.

2) Android, while open for any use, has standards to meet if you wish to use its name. To say your device is a certain version of Android, then it MUST run a standard set of APIs for that version.

3) In real life (not in forums), Android (and iOS) fragmentation is not a major problem. Heck, Rovio -- author of Angry Birds --just came forward to note that anyone claiming it is (such as Jobs) is just making a mountain out of a molehill.

4)Can you clarify what this means? Thanks.

1) It is on it's way.

2) The developer will need to write unique API's for each device manufacturer's Android. Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG will all move to lock down their devices MUCH more aggressively than Apple has, or will. Due to Apple's MUCH stricter control of API development. Android will always be a larger market share, less satisfactory in the implementation, and end user experience.

3) Rovio also states that a developer can't make money on the Android Market due to the App Store, and Android Fragmentation. For Pete's sake Rovio has to give Angry Birds away as an Ad App. Giving you the option to pay for a download to remove the advertising.

4) See #2.

 

[kdarling]

1) It is on it's way.
2) The developer will need to write unique API's for each device (snip)
4) See #2.

*scratching head*

I'm going to be polite, and simply say that I and other developers don't see any evidence of these future ideas of yours happening in any significant manner.

3) Rovio also states that a developer can't make money on the Android Market due to the App Store, and Android Fragmentation.

Rovio did not say either of those things. In particular they said that fragmentation is not a problem with development. They've said this twice now.

What Rovio did say is that they have a harder time selling apps on Android. But that has nothing to do with making money on Android.

For Pete's sake Rovio has to give Angry Birds away as an Ad App.

In fact, Rovio has said they they made $8 million in a year with the one-time pay iOS version, but predict making $12 million a year with Android and ads that keep paying.

 

[Apple...]

*scratching head*

I'm going to be polite, and simply say that I and other developers don't see any evidence of these future ideas of yours happening in any significant manner.

Rovio did not say either of those things. In particular they said that fragmentation is not a problem with development. They've said this twice now.

What Rovio did say is that they have a harder time selling apps on Android. But that has nothing to do with making money on Android.

In fact, Rovio has said they they made $8 million in a year with the one-time pay iOS version, but predict making $12 million a year with Android and ads that keep paying.

http://iphone.appleinsider.com/arti..._says_apple_will_be_no_1_for_a_long_time.html

 

[Glideslope]

*scratching head*

I'm going to be polite, and simply say that I and other developers don't see any evidence of these future ideas of yours happening in any significant manner.

Guess we will simply have to disagree on this one. We can pick it back up in 12m. Have a good one.

 

[kdarling]

http://iphone.appleinsider.com/arti..._says_apple_will_be_no_1_for_a_long_time.html

Here's the original email interview, instead.

Rovio says, "Device fragmentation not the issue, but rather the fragmentation of the ecosystem." In other words, more than one marketplace. But then they go on to say:

"We have been very happy with our results on Android and the fact that we decided to have a multiple storefront strategy. And most of all that we decided to go with a free, ad supported model. 15M+ downloads is a good start too.”

Then, in another article:

"Though both models generate revenue, the ad-based model is preferable to the paid app model, according to Rovio."

“By end of year, we project earnings of over $1 million per month with the ad-supported version of Angry Birds” - Rovio

 

[NebulaClash]

Right, it will be like iPods because of the entire infrastructure around the iPad (as with the iPod). That's the part other manufacturers will struggle to duplicate (as with the iPod).

So yes, of simple mathematical necessity the iPad share of the tablet market HAS to go down in 2011 no matter what junk gets put out there. But 2011 will be the year of the iPad killer in the exact same sense that 2004 (and 2005 and 2006 and 2007 and 2008 . . . ) was the year of the iPod killer.

 

[Built]

iPad 2 for me...Not interested in the "Other Guys Tablets"...

 

[Cuddles]

Why does Apple keep updating their ipads every year like their phones? I understand phones needing to be update year after year due to competition but why tablets? I mean you dont see game consoles or psp or nintendo ds being updated every year do you?

Nah, my PS3 probably get's like 2-3 updates a year from Sony and multiple updates for games (from the publishers).

I'm all for updates and especially when they can be downloaded within 10 minutes or so.

 

[Capt T]

Here's the original email interview, instead.

Rovio says, "Device fragmentation not the issue, but rather the fragmentation of the ecosystem." In other words, more than one marketplace. But then they go on to say:

"We have been very happy with our results on Android and the fact that we decided to have a multiple storefront strategy. And most of all that we decided to go with a free, ad supported model. 15M+ downloads is a good start too.”

Then, in another article:

"Though both models generate revenue, the ad-based model is preferable to the paid app model, according to Rovio."

“By end of year, we project earnings of over $1 million per month with the ad-supported version of Angry Birds” - Rovio

How about the full quote not just the part in the middle that works for you:

“Apple will be the number one platform for a long time from a developer perspective, they have gotten so many things right. And they know what they are doing and they call the shots. Android is growing, but it’s also growing complexity at the same time. Device fragmentation not the issue, but rather the fragmentation of the ecosystem. So many different shops, so many different models. The carriers messing with the experience again. Open but not really open, a very Google centric ecosystem. And paid content just doesn’t work on Android.

 

[DeathChill]

How about the full quote not just the part in the middle that works for you:

“Apple will be the number one platform for a long time from a developer perspective, they have gotten so many things right. And they know what they are doing and they call the shots. Android is growing, but it’s also growing complexity at the same time. Device fragmentation not the issue, but rather the fragmentation of the ecosystem. So many different shops, so many different models. The carriers messing with the experience again. Open but not really open, a very Google centric ecosystem. And paid content just doesn’t work on Android.

Ouch.

 

[kdarling]

How about the full quote not just the part in the middle that works for you:.

Ouch.

(patiently) Okay. What part of the whole quote do you think doesn't support what I said: that Rovio thinks Android has too many storefronts to make doing paid apps as easy as for iOS... and that therefore ad-based works better for them? (Makes more money, too.)

.

 

[ssdeg7]

This is going to be like the iPhone, in a couple of years only some devices will keep on with the iPads rhythm.

My guess is RIM's Playbook and maybe maybe Microsoft's tablet.

 

[DeathChill]

(patiently) Okay. What part of the whole quote do you think doesn't support what I said: that Rovio thinks Android has too many storefronts to make doing paid apps as easy as for iOS... and that therefore ad-based works better for them? (Makes more money, too.)

I meant that the whole quote was slightly hurtful to Android's approach is all. Especially considering not every application lends itself to an ad-supported model.

I wonder why Rovio doesn't try an advertising supported version on iOS.

I think that it might play out a bit different than the current iPhone scenario. There's no subsidizing on the same scale as with phones, so the pricing is probably relatively close and for something that isn't a phone, carriers probably aren't a huge issue. I think it may play out closer to the iPod scenario, but who knows.

 

[kdarling]

I wonder why Rovio doesn't try an advertising supported version on iOS.

Good Q. Hmm.

Does Apple always get a percentage of iOS ads?

Does Google gets a percentage of Android app ad revenue?

A difference in income sharing models could be a good reason.

Anyone know details?

 

[darngooddesign]

Yes. 2011 will be the year that some other guys release tablets.

 

[DeathChill]

Yes. 2011 will be the year that some other guys release tablets.

Don't come in here spreading your lies!

 

[kdarling]

I would appreciate any thoughts you have regarding how Android runs on the device and the build quality. My experience with Android has been on an older Samsung and more recently the HTC Evo. Not sure how to compare this tablet but any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Okay, as promised in email:

First, I have a Samsung Tab. It's very well built and runs beautifully. I also like its 7" screen. It's the best built Android "tablet" out there right now.

However, I personally don't think of the 7" Tab as a tablet, since to me a tablet is more magazine sized. I actually use it more like it's a large-screened iPod touch, or electronic paperback. Android apps run and look good on it.

--

I got the Archos 101 (10" screen) because I wanted to do some development on a larger, more iPad-like device. That is, something with a more magazine-like screen.

As it turns out, the Archos 101 is not that device, because its screen is more of the 9:16 ratio of a TV, than the 3:4 ratio of the iPad. (8.75" x 5" - with .5" always used for the buttons from the 8" side) The screen shape is great for viewing videos, though.

Its build quality was better than I'd read, and it's quite thin.

The built-in kickstand is clever and works well in either a picture-frame angle or a much lower sloped keyboard angle.

The screen is almost impossible to see except from head on.

A software and graphics benchmark showed that it beat the Samsung, but I sure can't tell it. While it loads up web pages just fine, and it runs software like Angry Birds just fine, it just sometimes feels a bit laggy when scrolling apps or pages. (I have an Incredible and it is not slow when scrolling, nor is the Samsung Tab.)

I had no problem downloading a Froyo update from the factory, and then installing the normal Android Market via a third party app. After that, I installed Flash and other favorite apps such as Pulse, which looks good on the bigger screen.

(Hey, I just noticed that the Market automatically reconfigures its display for landscape. Looks good on here. So does Zillow, etc.)

I like the way the Android buttons are onscreen and flip orientation.

All in all, I think it's a fair unit for $300, especially considering what a much smaller iPod touch goes for. Or what the Samsung goes for without contract. It's just an odd screen shape for my purposes. I still like the Samsung better

Edit: just tried Fring. No go on the video call. Rats.

Back on thread topic, I think we're going to see a LOT of Android tablets this year, and they're just going to get built nicer and less expensive every month. There's going to be lots of junk, and there's going to be some real gems in there.

 

[Tonsko]

Depends if Elliptic Labs adapt their ultrasound equipment for other tablets; it enables hand waving control rather like Kinect. There's a vid on their site. I think it might sell like hot cakes, and stimulate ipad sales over others. However, it doesn't make sense for Elliptic to limit the market to just ipads...

 

[Apple...]

Right, it will be like iPods because of the entire infrastructure around the iPad (as with the iPod). That's the part other manufacturers will struggle to duplicate (as with the iPod).

So yes, of simple mathematical necessity the iPad share of the tablet market HAS to go down in 2011 no matter what junk gets put out there. But 2011 will be the year of the iPad killer in the exact same sense that 2004 (and 2005 and 2006 and 2007 and 2008 . . . ) was the year of the iPod killer.

Some members here would like to think that... including one certain *cough* never-mind - I'll probably just get reported again.

This is going to be like the iPhone, in a couple of years only some devices will keep on with the iPads rhythm.

My guess is RIM's Playbook and maybe maybe Microsoft's tablet.

RIM for business (mainly), but I don't see Microsoft. Android is a definite yes.

Okay, as promised in email:

First, I have a Samsung Tab. It's very well built and runs beautifully. I also like its 7" screen. It's the best built Android "tablet" out there right now.

However, I personally don't think of the 7" Tab as a tablet, since to me a tablet is more magazine sized. I actually use it more like it's a large-screened iPod touch, or electronic paperback. Android apps run and look good on it.

I tried a Sammy Tab in OfficeMax (or was it Staples?), and thought it was just okay. I could never justify paying that much for one though, in addition to a two-year contract.

 

[hcho3]

The big deciding factors are

1. Performance. How snappy is it because iPad is damn snappy considering the fact that it only has 256MB ram and 1GHZ processor.

2. Apps. Tablet focused apps.

3. Battery life and it has to meet apple's iPad battery life or better.

4. Price. Pricing galaxy Tab at 599 dollars is absolutely ridiculous. It has to stay same or under the iPad price.

5. Throw in bunch of models including 7 inch, 8.9 inch and 10 inch versions.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

I'm in the split decision camp.

I think the Android platform makes a superior phone device at the present time for various reasons. Conversely I think Apple has made a tablet that no one else can touch. The thing is smooth as butter and something no one else can come close to in fit and finish and polish as far as I am concerned.

 

[OSMac]

Android plus - nice to be able to just drag and drop music mp3s and video mp4 from any computer and play. No iTunes sync needed, no being tied to a specific computer.

Android plus - nice text reformat when viewing web pages, just pinch zoom until the text is sized as needed then double touch , all text is reformatted to fit on the screen at the zoomed size.

Android issue - warnings that marketplace gives when installing , apps to often want access to your phone number and contacts and everything else.

Android issue - to many versions of os, updates slow by carriers

Reminds me linux vs windows a few years back. Linux cost less (free) there was a zillion versions of it, updates came every week but in the end people stuck with windows, at least until they tried osx

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Considering android phones have a bigger share of the market now.....

Yes, thanks to their availability on multiple carriers with better service plans than AT&T. But I have heard from several people they regret buying an Android phone instead of the iPhone. So this higher market share numbers may go down if overall user satisfaction drops.

In my case, my Touch Pro 2 is horrible and very slow; I'm about to slam it against the floor. Nice features, but useless due to being unresponsive when needed to be used. I have considered an Android phone too, but not 100% sure if it would be a wise choice.

The iPod, iPhone and iPad have already set the trend and have a reputation. All others will need to improve their products to be at the same level in quality, service and performance.
So far, I haven't found a Tablet that would make me put away my iPad. And I have really tried...

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Android plus - nice to be able to just drag and drop music mp3s and video mp4 from any computer and play. No iTunes sync needed, no being tied to a specific computer.

Android plus - nice text reformat when viewing web pages, just pinch zoom until the text is sized as needed then double touch , all text is reformatted to fit on the screen at the zoomed size.

Android issue - warnings that marketplace gives when installing , apps to often want access to your phone number and contacts and everything else.

Android issue - to many versions of os, updates slow by carriers

Reminds me linux vs windows a few years back. Linux cost less (free) there was a zillion versions of it, updates came every week but in the end people stuck with windows, at least until they tried osx

Yeah, Android gives you the freedom to install whatever you like on your phone, including a virus and several bandwidth leechers.

 

[Piggie]

Yeah, Android gives you the freedom to install whatever you like on your phone, including a virus and several bandwidth leechers.

Look at it another way.


If I made a very nice prison, a very pretty prison, a large prison, that was all safe from the dangers of the outside world because I have people that patrol it, so nasty people can't get in, and I also control what's for sale in my prison, so you can't buy any things that are bad for you.

I pick you up and I put you in the prison to live your life, nice and safe.

Are you going to be happy in the prison I have designed and is run to my rule as I know best what's good for you.

Or would you rather live in the real world and be given the opportunity to decide for yourself what you do and where you go. If you decide to do something a bit dangerous or go somewhere a bit dangerous, well, that's up to you, but you are free to make those choices.

You'd prefer my prison?