HP Preparing to Take on Apple With TouchPad, Potential Cloud-Based Media Service

[davidgrimm]

Steve Jobs, or Apple for that matter, has the same objective as any other company -- make the most amount of money with the smallest investment. Releasing a 10 month old phone in a different color is not improving. It was a strategic move to recapitalize on an older product. Apple milks its customers just as much as the next company. The entire premise of brand loyalty is milking customers. Where Apple does a far better job is marketing, and leading customers to believe that Apple has this irresistible urge to create amazing products because that's their universal calling.

You're reading skills are lacking.

I never said they didn't exist to make money.

The white iPhone was supposed to be released when the black one was, but had technical problems. Apple waited to release it until it was fixed. Other companies would have shoveled that out the door and hoped nobody whined too loudly. Oh, and some did consider a color choice to be an improvement.

Brand loyalty is not milking your customers. Maybe I would have been clearer by using the term "screwing" instead of milking. Screwing your customers is where you continue to ship flawed and overpriced crap because there is no viable competition, e.g. ATT and its stellar network and a 2 year contract.

Apple products do work better for me. They're not perfect, but they're more perfect (for me) then the competition, so far. It looks like its going to stay that way for a while too, as this HP product doesn't seem to be an improvement over the iPad.

 

[dacapo]

Im waiting for Electrolux, GoldStar or Amway to come up with a killer one
LOL!

I think LG is the new GoldStar.... And I mean that in more than one way!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoldStar

 

[Ralion]

It's the software, stupid!

I think most of you fail to realize that HPalm is not Samsung trying to "copy" the UI and usability of the iPad. webOS is a completely superior platform to Android and the multitasking and Synergy really out does iOS.

This comes from a lifelong Mac user, who is self employed in Mac centric IT support, and who owns an iPad.

The biggest advantages that Apple has are: The huge ecosystem/app store, and the fact that most of the current/past tablet competition is TRASH. The ipad is an excellent product hardware wise with perfect SIMPLE single app uses. If someone interested in productivity and true live multitasking/notifications used an webOS device they would see the advantages.

HP/Palm need to overcome their justly deserved reputation for shoddy hardware (Pre) launches and deadline failures. If HP gets their hardware under control and manages to get some really top tier launch partners to bolster their app catalog... I suspect we will see the first true iPad competitor. Notice I say competitor not killer.

Just my two cents

 

[iMaci7]

iOS - 2007 (Android - 2008)
iOS - Full touchscreen device (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Multi-touch (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Swipe to unlock screen (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Pinch to zoom (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Inertia scrolling (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Notifications (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Apps with configurable interfaces (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - First device with a usable mobile web browser (2007) (Android?)
iOS - On screen virtual keyboard (2007) (Android 2008)

Here is a comparison of what Android looked like before and after the iPhone launched.
http://random.andrewwarner.com/what...d-like-before-and-after-the-launch-of-iphone/

Love this post.

 

[paul4339]

Then you're missing the larger picture. They bought the only real competitor for iOS that they can control themselves. Their aim is to out Apple, Apple. I doubt they can do it but i'm hopeful. Apple needs real competition and Android aint it. HP specializes in integrated solutions. the WebOS tablets, phones, and laptops could change everything--if they ever get off the ground.

Unlikely.
"building a cloud service that would eventually offer music, movies and TV shows"... Building an ecosystem to compete against Apple AND Google??

"Integrating tablets/phones/laptops" ... they have to compete against Windows 8 then as well.

"HP has been on the backburner for the majors while they place most of their attention on negotiations with Apple, Google and Amazon"... no kidding, and RIM and Microsoft is also trying to jump in. It's going to be difficult for them to succeed.

• Android appeals to non-Apple computer geeks.
• Apple appeals to those who expect everything to just work seamlessly.
• HP Pre appeals to those who want Apple devices plus one more feature.

Agree.
It's probably better for them team with up Microsoft at this point (let MS deal with software, and HP can deal with the hardware)

 

[Aduntu]

You're reading skills are lacking.

I never said they didn't exist to make money.

The white iPhone was supposed to be released when the black one was, but had technical problems. Apple waited to release it until it was fixed. Other companies would have shoveled that out the door and hoped nobody whined too loudly. Oh, and some did consider a color choice to be an improvement.

Brand loyalty is not milking your customers. Maybe I would have been clearer by using the term "screwing" instead of milking. Screwing your customers is where you continue to ship flawed and overpriced crap because there is no viable competition, e.g. ATT and its stellar network and a 2 year contract.

Apple products do work better for me. They're not perfect, but they're more perfect (for me) then the competition, so far. It looks like its going to stay that way for a while too, as this HP product doesn't seem to be an improvement over the iPad.

My reading skills are lacking? Interesting.

Apple could have, and maybe should have, waited to release a white iPhone with the next iteration. Or, they could have lowered the price, considering its old technology. Instead, they locked more people into two year contracts when the next iPhone, which will undoubted come in white at launch, is right around the corner. Your blatant generalization that other companies would have "shoveled it out the door" is simply ignorant.

If you think screwing your customers is the act of shipping products lacking in something, you've just defined Apple. How many times has Apple implemented new, albeit great, features that were available far sooner on other devices?

 

[NebulaClash]

The iPhone 4 is current technology regardless of color, unless you are playing the check list game where competitors win because they include some new doodad into the equation. And nobody forced anyone to buy a white iPhone and get a contract. Customers did that to themselves willingly because they wanted what Apple was selling. And right around the corner is more like 6 months by the time the next iPhone comes out in September. I realize 6 months is two generations of Android phones, but for non-geeks that's a decent amount of time.

Most people do not buy a new iPhone every time a new model comes out. Most skip a generation. So the iPhone 4 buyers will skip the 4S (or 5) and wait for the LTE version in 2012. Nothing wrong with that strategy.

I fail to see how Apple did anything wrong except to people who demand the world cater to them.

 

[Kranchammer]

Some individuals don't understand how important it is to sometimes be critical of a company they love / respect.

I think the key point is to understand that all of these tech companies tend to borrow (or copy if you insist) from their competition to improve upon their own products. The companies I respect are the those that greatly improve upon the invention in an evolutionary way, as opposed to a poor shadow of the original.

Is Apple doing that in this case, I am not sure so I can't comment on it just yet.

Hey partner, we don't take kindly to logical, reasonable, and fair-minded arguments out in this here NO U type discussion.

 

[Aduntu]

The iPhone 4 is current technology regardless of color, unless you are playing the check list game where competitors win because they include some new doodad into the equation. And nobody forced anyone to buy a white iPhone and get a contract. Customers did that to themselves willingly because they wanted what Apple was selling. And right around the corner is more like 6 months by the time the next iPhone comes out in September. I realize 6 months is two generations of Android phones, but for non-geeks that's a decent amount of time.

Most people do not buy a new iPhone every time a new model comes out. Most skip a generation. So the iPhone 4 buyers will skip the 4S (or 5) and wait for the LTE version in 2012. Nothing wrong with that strategy.

I fail to see how Apple did anything wrong except to people who demand the world cater to them.

iPhone 4 is not current technology. The definition of current completely contradicts that notion. When multiple other devices have more advanced and superior features, the device in question is no longer current.

No one was forced to do anything. However, Apple was well aware that millions of people would simply see a white iPhone and have no idea they are locking themselves into a two-year contract with a 10 month old device.

I didn't suggest that Apple did something wrong. But you can't put them on a pedestal (like many are doing) when they are clearly looking out for numero uno.

 

[scottsjack]

It sounds like you prefer laptops. Why do you insist they create a tablet that is basically a laptop that costs more and lacks a keyboard? Just stick with laptops if tablets are not right for you.

Several companies tried to sell your idea of a tablet for 10 years and they managed to sell less of them combined than the number of iPad 1 units sold.

I think "insist" is a bit strong. I wouldn't mind having a tablet but only if it has a full, open OS. Other than an iPhone I have no interest in iOS products or their competition.

 

[BJMRamage]

the HP is probably for people who say "I don't know a Mac/Apple or own one...this is the same price...I'll just go with that."

 

[ThunderSkunk]

All that effort, just to make a copy.

There are some potentially very useful, very powerful things that Apple won't let iOS do. But do any of these other companies do those? No. They just make a copy. It bums me out that Apple won't do those things yet, but Moto & HP have no excuse for having no more vision than it takes to come out with a clone.

 

[bwillwall]

I hope this makes some good competition, I feel bad for former Palm because there OS interface is so good. I however can't say the same about there phones. Those cheap plastic "nuggets" in iJustines words.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

Exactly. The biggest mistake Microsoft is making is to put Windows 8 on everything, tablets included. This mistake is actually viewed as a strength by some, but it's a mistake because it's trying to shoehorn the old PC paradigm to a Post PC product. That's what always happens when eras change, with some folks insisting on using the new device the old way (3270 boards in early PCs to make them work like mainframe terminals, for instance).

If you need a full-blow PC OS, get a PC. Tablets are post PC and they need their own OS.

Windows and Office are the only things MS has to keep falling back on. They already tried another phone and failed. So using Windows is all they can do now.

 

[Hueyfreeman]

The hp tablet won't put a dent in apples sells of the iPad 2. What many of you are forgeting is that this is a brand new market (the mobile os tablet era). Their are plenty of customers out there

 

[queshy]

A few months ago, when this device was announced, I didn't see how it accomplished anything that iPad 1 didn't. Now, months later, the device is finally being released, and it's even more unimpressive than before. They should have only announced it when it was ready.

 

[kasei]

Ok. Let's see it...

 

[NebulaClash]

iPhone 4 is not current technology. The definition of current completely contradicts that notion. When multiple other devices have more advanced and superior features, the device in question is no longer current.

No one was forced to do anything. However, Apple was well aware that millions of people would simply see a white iPhone and have no idea they are locking themselves into a two-year contract with a 10 month old device.

I didn't suggest that Apple did something wrong. But you can't put them on a pedestal (like many are doing) when they are clearly looking out for numero uno.

All companies look out for numero uno, or else their shareholders revolt. Don't pretend any other company doesn't do the same.

iPhone 4 is current technology in the Apple universe as you cannot get a phone from Apple that anything more current. Most users couldn't care less what copycat company #1 or #2 has put into their phones. They want the latest phone from Apple. That's what they got.

 

[NebulaClash]

Windows and Office are the only things MS has to keep falling back on. They already tried another phone and failed. So using Windows is all they can do now.

That's very true, and sad for Microsoft. So it explains why, to them, everything has to run Windows, but it hardly explains why any of us should care.

 

[gkarris]

iOS - 2007 (Android - 2008)
iOS - Full touchscreen device (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Multi-touch (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Swipe to unlock screen (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Pinch to zoom (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Inertia scrolling (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Notifications (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - Apps with configurable interfaces (2007) (Android 2008)
iOS - First device with a usable mobile web browser (2007) (Android?)
iOS - On screen virtual keyboard (2007) (Android 2008)

Here is a comparison of what Android looked like before and after the iPhone launched.
http://random.andrewwarner.com/what...d-like-before-and-after-the-launch-of-iphone/

I like the "before"...

And Toshiba gets into "the action":

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20070751-17/toshiba-thrive-tablet-goes-on-preorder/

 

[ten-oak-druid]

That's very true, and sad for Microsoft. So it explains why, to them, everything has to run Windows, but it hardly explains why any of us should care.

Well why should we even care that MS puts Windows on everything then?

You made a point of bringing it up. I offered an explanation of your observation: MS has only a couple things in its arsenal to offer.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

I used to use HPBasic. It was pretty good. HP added features to the basic language for controlling lab instruments.

The tablets won't be backward compatible though.

 

[ratzzo]

I bet SJ is raging. This tablet will be Apple's doomsday...

 

[gkarris]

I used to use HPBasic. It was pretty good. HP added features to the basic language for controlling lab instruments.

The tablets won't be backward compatible though.

HPBasic?

Dude, you just dated yourself...

 

[cirus]

I'm not against competition, in fact I encourage it so that the end user is benefited from it, but this is just copying.. that thing looks exactly like an iPad. Turned off, I would confuse it for one.

Dude, its a black rectangle with rounded edges and a screen (plus camera). ANY black rectangle with rounded edges and a screen is going to look like an ipad.

So tired of hearing this "they're copying" get over it. They don't own the colour black and have a patent on rounded edges (or the form factor). Pretty much all the tablets out there look something similar (excluding colour) cause they are all based on the same principles.

Xoom

Playbook

Its a black rectangle with a screen and rounded corners. They WILL look the same.

P.S. Why is it always you mac users who cry 'foul' so often. Do you see any of PC people getting upset that two products look alike? Rarely do they cry "copy!".

And guess what, those tablets also look like an ipad too.

Now, take a minute to think (keyword think).
How could they make a tablet that was black, nice looking and aesthetically pleasing and NOT make it look like an ipad. Then multiply your designs by 8 (different ones) because there are at least 8 popular tablets out there.