That doesn't mean you want a 17 month old model once you decided to buy a new one. When people replace their four year old iPad, they want something as new as possible.
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iPad Momentum Falls Flat as Tablet Market Experiences First Year-Over-Year Decline
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That doesn't mean you want a 17 month old model once you decided to buy a new one. When people replace their four year old iPad, they want something as new as possible.
Yep, people are missing how massive "other" is.
Apple has great hardware but they have really lost it when it comes to keeping the apps viable on the machine. The notes app is a perfect example, great formatting features on the Mac OS mirror app but nothing on the iPad or iPhone versions. A fundamental need for note taking is to be able to make lists, that the IPad notes app has yet to update to provide such a feature is pathetic.
However I still see one big problem that Apple hasn't addressed yet hardware wise. That is the high cost of an upgrade to the amount of flash in the devices, it is a big turn off for customers because they pay big buck for a machine that only varies modestly in flash storage size. That and Apple seems to not grasp how importnat flash is for the device to realize it's full potential. I really think that they expect everybody to buy into the cloud mentality which is obviously stupid, and more so expensive. Lots of flash on an iPAd just makes sense and Apple has dragged their feet offering rational updates. The top of the line IPad should have 512 GB of flash by now.
Lastly Apple belligerence with respect to the MiFi program means that IPad get left out of consideration for many uses were it might be a good replacement for a PC. This is actually a good part of PC placement in modern industry. That is connection to devices for data collection and the like. Apple needs to open up serial port access so that users can implement these sorts of uses that are often one offs. Nobody is going to sign up for MiFi to do a one off special purpose app.
Most certainly, Apple and Samsung have lost massively to "other".
Apple has great hardware but they have really lost it when it comes to keeping the apps viable on the machine. The notes app is a perfect example, great formatting features on the Mac OS mirror app but nothing on the iPad or iPhone versions. A fundamental need for note taking is to be able to make lists, that the IPad notes app has yet to update to provide such a feature is pathetic.
However I still see one big problem that Apple hasn't addressed yet hardware wise. That is the high cost of an upgrade to the amount of flash in the devices, it is a big turn off for customers because they pay big buck for a machine that only varies modestly in flash storage size. That and Apple seems to not grasp how importnat flash is for the device to realize it's full potential. I really think that they expect everybody to buy into the cloud mentality which is obviously stupid, and more so expensive. Lots of flash on an iPAd just makes sense and Apple has dragged their feet offering rational updates. The top of the line IPad should have 512 GB of flash by now.
Lastly Apple belligerence with respect to the MiFi program means that IPad get left out of consideration for many uses were it might be a good replacement for a PC. This is actually a good part of PC placement in modern industry. That is connection to devices for data collection and the like. Apple needs to open up serial port access so that users can implement these sorts of uses that are often one offs. Nobody is going to sign up for MiFi to do a one off special purpose app.
I think this is an important phenomen - a sucessful product for a 'consumer' will not crave improvement.
over the past 20 odd years I've seen this inherent 'Apple Quality' decline with the implementation of superficial OS updates.
quietly it makes me smile that people are contented with 'legacy' hardware
on a side topic - the best thing I've done in the last two years is downgrade my mid2012 rMBP to 10.8.5 - it's like having a new machine again - it really flies
Fact 1: Macs are much more powerful than iPads. Fact 2: Apple sells four times as many iPads as Macs. My conclusion: Making the iPad more powerful (and therefore more complicated) will get some new customers, but might actually frighten some potential customers off.
I believe there are several reasons for the decline:
1) apple hasnt really added anything new to the iPad in about two years. There is no incentive for people to upgrade. I know quite a few people who are still rocking their iPad 2.
2)the arrival of iPhone 6 plus. Which is not much smaller than a mini.people who brought the iPhone 6 or 6+ aren't going to put out $500 for new iPad when they have a good smartphone screen.
3)IPad still has it limitations in terms productivity. Other tablets like the surface pro 3 have shown what a productive tablet looks like. People are not going to spend money a tablet that is only good for
1) apple hasnt really added anything new to the iPad in about two years. There is no incentive for people to upgrade. I know quite a few people who are still rocking their iPad 2.
2)the arrival of iPhone 6 plus. Which is not much smaller than a mini.people who brought the iPhone 6 or 6+ aren't going to put out $500 for new iPad when they have a good smartphone screen.
3)IPad still has it limitations in terms productivity. Other tablets like the surface pro 3 have shown what a productive tablet looks like. People are not going to spend money a tablet that is only good for
If they would just add accounts to the ios I'd get another one. My kids have accosted mine and I stopped using it 3 years ago.
Mildredop wrote:
[[ Tablets never made sense to me.
Laptop - full blown OS, does everything, fits in a bag
Phone - cut-down OS but fits in your pocket, makes phone calls.
And then there's tablets. Cut down OS but doesn't fit in your pocket, needs to go in your bag, can't make phone calls. They're just a gimmick. ]]
and peterdevries replied:
[[ You comment does not make sense, and is bordering on trolling. ]]
Nope, not trolling.
I've been a Mac user longer than 98% (ok, so I just made that up) of the folks in this forum -- since April of 1987. I'm as much of a Mac fanatic as anyone here.
I've -never- owned an iPhone, and in all likelihood will never own one (I don't like cell phones of any type and refuse to pay for them).
I've -never- owned an iPad, and will likely never buy one (for the exact reasons Mildredop wrote above).
I do own three Macs (Mini, iMac, MacBook Pro). Anything I need to do, digitally, I do with them.
There's some folks who just don't want or need "pad" devices.
Eventually, just about everyone who does want an iPad is going to get one. Since they actually seem to be well-built, and last a while, the market is going to saturate, at least in the Western world.
That still leaves the non-Western world, but Apple may have to lower prices to keep them selling in those markets.
[[ Tablets never made sense to me.
Laptop - full blown OS, does everything, fits in a bag
Phone - cut-down OS but fits in your pocket, makes phone calls.
And then there's tablets. Cut down OS but doesn't fit in your pocket, needs to go in your bag, can't make phone calls. They're just a gimmick. ]]
and peterdevries replied:
[[ You comment does not make sense, and is bordering on trolling. ]]
Nope, not trolling.
I've been a Mac user longer than 98% (ok, so I just made that up) of the folks in this forum -- since April of 1987. I'm as much of a Mac fanatic as anyone here.
I've -never- owned an iPhone, and in all likelihood will never own one (I don't like cell phones of any type and refuse to pay for them).
I've -never- owned an iPad, and will likely never buy one (for the exact reasons Mildredop wrote above).
I do own three Macs (Mini, iMac, MacBook Pro). Anything I need to do, digitally, I do with them.
There's some folks who just don't want or need "pad" devices.
Eventually, just about everyone who does want an iPad is going to get one. Since they actually seem to be well-built, and last a while, the market is going to saturate, at least in the Western world.
That still leaves the non-Western world, but Apple may have to lower prices to keep them selling in those markets.
As a current iPad3 owner I have to call baloney on this. IPad Air 2 can do a hell of a lot more than the old tablet can simply due to the extra RAM and speed. It also has Touch ID.
I think what you are missing here is real useful updates to the "apps" that ship with IPad. Here Apple has failed miserably.
Optimization? I'm not sure that is the word, maybe one should say finish the supplied apps or at least achieve parity with the desktop mirrors. In the end I find Apples bumbling with the OS and lackluster interest in the supplied apps being a big problem.
Not surprised. I have a year old iPad mini that is working great. No need to upgrade except maybe every three years or so.
Macs also cost a lot more. The average selling price of the iPad last quarter was $419, suggesting that people buy mostly the wi-fi version and base models.
I think optimization is the right word. The music app? What happened to album view from iOS 6? It's a stretched out smartphone app with tons of wasted space. The app switcher on a 9.7" screen shows the same number of apps as a 3.5" screen. No.
Examples of good optimization are Safari: tabs and a more useful sidebar and tab view. I want more of that.
Clearly this is happening, but I don't really "get" this argument. There is a huge difference between a 7.9" 4x3 screen and a 5.5" 16x9 screen.
Works great is a real reqson to keep the hardware around.
I keep seeing this posted yet nobody seems to know what those great features might be. Frankly the speed increases are compelling but economics forces one to spread out updates. I'm personally looking at a 3-4 year update cycle.
Tablets just don't need to be refreshed at the same rate smartphones do.
We still have a 3rd Gen VZW iPad (going on 4 years old now) that, based strictly on time used per day, is probably the most used computer in our house.
We still have a 3rd Gen VZW iPad (going on 4 years old now) that, based strictly on time used per day, is probably the most used computer in our house.
I think you are partly right here. The extra RAM only allows apps to stay active or tabs stay cached longer, it offers no truly new capabilities. It's faster. It runs the same apps in the same way as the iPad 3.
Your second statement is true. Apple has failed at creating really amazing first party apps for the iPad Air 2. Really, I think they need to cut A5 and A5X device support so developers can start moving forward.
Touch ID is indeed new, but not a HUGE deal for me (personally).
This is no surprise, however the large iPhones are only partially to blame for the iPad sales decline.
Productivity: The iPad is not as good as a Mac for most professional work; and the problem isn't the hardware itself. The issue has far more to do with iOS not having access to a file system and the apps on the iPad are usually inferior to their Mac counterparts. Add in that touchscreen navigation in apps is slower than a keyboard and mouse and this is not a surprise.
Upgrade Cycle: People are not willing to upgrade tablets quickly, largely because there are few compelling reasons to. For most users, an iPad 2 has all they need for the consumption device. This hasn't changed all that much, and the iPad still has largely remained a consumption device even though Apple is desperately trying to petition that it is for work.
Cost: Most phones are subsidized or bought on monthly payment plans, so people can upgrade them more often. Phones are also more integral, so people feel they should upgrade them each year or two. Buying a new iPad costs a lot, and the resale value is fairly low since the buyer had to pay full price since there are few subsidies.
Education: While this is a big market for iPad, trends are changing. I see it in the school I work for. Google has been making huge advances with Google Classroom and Drive (unlimited storage for free for students). Apple give only 5gb, which is ridiculous. Apple needs to get more serious in the education market. Making better iPads isn't enough; services needs to be increased as well. Also, the Los Angeles iPad debacle has definitely dissuaded others...Apple should have been more involved and helped that rollout.
Mac: The Mac over the past few years has gotten excellent battery life, and the portables are becoming thinner and lighter. People are feeling that they might as well just use their Mac for things rather than a tablet. The tablet was more advantageous for certain things a few years ago, but those differences are declining.
Productivity: The iPad is not as good as a Mac for most professional work; and the problem isn't the hardware itself. The issue has far more to do with iOS not having access to a file system and the apps on the iPad are usually inferior to their Mac counterparts. Add in that touchscreen navigation in apps is slower than a keyboard and mouse and this is not a surprise.
Upgrade Cycle: People are not willing to upgrade tablets quickly, largely because there are few compelling reasons to. For most users, an iPad 2 has all they need for the consumption device. This hasn't changed all that much, and the iPad still has largely remained a consumption device even though Apple is desperately trying to petition that it is for work.
Cost: Most phones are subsidized or bought on monthly payment plans, so people can upgrade them more often. Phones are also more integral, so people feel they should upgrade them each year or two. Buying a new iPad costs a lot, and the resale value is fairly low since the buyer had to pay full price since there are few subsidies.
Education: While this is a big market for iPad, trends are changing. I see it in the school I work for. Google has been making huge advances with Google Classroom and Drive (unlimited storage for free for students). Apple give only 5gb, which is ridiculous. Apple needs to get more serious in the education market. Making better iPads isn't enough; services needs to be increased as well. Also, the Los Angeles iPad debacle has definitely dissuaded others...Apple should have been more involved and helped that rollout.
Mac: The Mac over the past few years has gotten excellent battery life, and the portables are becoming thinner and lighter. People are feeling that they might as well just use their Mac for things rather than a tablet. The tablet was more advantageous for certain things a few years ago, but those differences are declining.
are they though? I think I remember reading the latest ipad Air 2 is just as powerful or close to that of the Mac Airs.
An iPad purchase is not an annual event, typically you'd keep one for a little over two (or longer) years, coupled with the fact everyone's got one now - the sales ramp couldn't continue indefinitely vertical - it has nothing to do with innovation, redesign or competition. Tablet sales are slowing now that the market has established. Simple as that.
This isn't what the data is saying!!
The data clearly indicates that Apple has lost much to "other". Sales of tablets themselves are still strong it is just that Apple is competing well. The loss of share is very significant.
The data clearly indicates that Apple has lost much to "other". Sales of tablets themselves are still strong it is just that Apple is competing well. The loss of share is very significant.
Flawed logic. Of course people want the latest model when they upgrade, but upgrade cycle and anticipation of the next model is always a factor when upgrading. An 18month upgrade cycle makes perfect sense.
But like the iPad, it duplicates what you already have on you. The Watch doesn't seem to offer anything massively different or additional to what the phone can already do.
Plus, at 6pm when the battery dies or when you forget to charge it overnight, you'll quickly get out of the habit of having it.
Only time will tell of course but, personally, I think the Watch is a pure gimmick.