iPad Seen as 'Weakest Link' in Stagnating Tablet Market

[coolfactor]

Absoluetly not.
I don’t have an iPad. I have neither Kindle nor Android tablet either but I do want a tablet.
The day Apple make a way for me to use the iPad as a remote terminal for my Mac, (Natively), is the day I buy one. The money is here waiting.

There's plenty of such solutions available.

Here's one option that costs just $20/year:
http://www.parallels.com/ca/products/access/

Here's an article with another option:
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/remote-access-mac-from-ios-android-tablets/

The solutions exist, and they are as native as they can get.

 

[teknishn]

The new MacBook will impact on iPad (tablet) sales: nearly as light as a tablet, but with full OS X, a keyboard, and a trackpad.

A MacBook will replace my iPad for sure.

This is my situation exactly. I have grown frustrated with iOS's lack of power next to OS X on the iPad (fine for the phone), and I simply can't deal with not having a keyboard and trackpad.

I sold my iPad Air 2 yesterday for only $100 less than I paid for it. I will be ordering the new Macbook the very second it goes live on the store. Cant wait.

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There's plenty of such solutions available.

Here's one option that costs just $20/year:
http://www.parallels.com/ca/products/access/

Here's an article with another option:
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/remote-access-mac-from-ios-android-tablets/

The solutions exist, and they are as native as they can get.

I use iTeleport and I have tried several others. I have yet to find anything that works as well as the Mac ARD client though. I can't figure out why Apple has built and ARD client for iOS yet.

 

[shuka.margolin]

Apple's lack of a consistent office-like experience across all devices and platforms

"delivering a consistent experience across all devices and platforms." is what Apple continues to miss and neglect. Google and Android has Google Docs and Microsoft has Office. Apple has completely failed with all its cloud attempts until now and it is going to be penalised for it. I wrote to Apple and even to Tim Cook but I have not seen any real attempt to improve the situation. It is a pity.

 

[AlecZ]

Good, these stupid things are stagnating.

 

[Max(IT)]

This is directly related to people keeping their ipads longer. Tons of people are still using the ipad 2 with no desire to upgrade.

Correct. IPad market is just saturated.
I can't see how an iPad pro could really changes things, being a niche product.

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Don't state the obvious you'll be disputed.

Say things like apple is doomed for a real effect

Apple is doomed....

Now haters are happy

 

[ActionableMango]

Doesn't help that Apple gimped the iPad mini 3.

That's a sore spot for me. I wonder how Apple could even call it an iPad Mini "3" with a straight face.

Apple does not care about the iPad Mini. They released it without retina. It's only gotten bigger and heavier, never lighter and thinner. And they didn't even bother to make a new model last year.

As a fan of the format, I'm disappointed.

On the other hand, as a shareholder I guess I can't complain.

 

[Max(IT)]

Exactly. I gave my 3rd then iPad to my dads when I upgraded to the Air 2, and he loves it. He thinks if he upgraded its only going to be lighter. He doesn't see any speed problems or performance issues.

Me too, and being a tech enthusiast, that's scaring.
I don't really feel the need to upgrade my iPad Air, even if the Air 2 is faster, lighter and has 2 Gb of RAM.

 

[brianvictor7]

There are several but in my opinion the really pressing limitation that kills iPad as a general computing device is the lack of file system or lack of control on files or whatever you want to call it

Totally agree. This is exactly why I haven't bought one yet.

 

[Max(IT)]

Doesn't help that Apple gimped the iPad mini 3.

Doesn't help that Apple still charges $500 for a 16GB tablet.

Doesn't help that Apple keeps iPad 2 and above updated.

Doesn't help that the iPad is built to last.

Doesn't help that the market is way over saturated with iPads.

Doesn't help that the core design and function has remained the same since introduction.

Doesn't help that Apple released a 5.5" iPhone.

Doesn't help that the iPad does not replace a computer.

Doesn't help that the iPad has become boring.

Did I miss anything?

I don't think it's boring, but your analysis is quite correct.

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The hahahaha hits you right back... Yes Apple has a huge profit. Mostly based on their ability to sell cheap hardware, in nice cassings, to a crazy price.

Cheap hardware?
Oh we do have an expert here....

 

[BJMRamage]

Until they sell them for cheaper I will hold onto my iPad 2 longer.
I don't see the point...want-sure / need-nope

 

[Hastings101]

The market is probably not going to grow much considering tablets are a pretty niche device that don't need to be upgraded as often as something like a Smartphone (and honestly even those don't need to be upgraded as often as they used to be). Most people couldn't care less if it takes a second less to open Netflix to watch a movie in bed.

 

[Max(IT)]

Do you think it's possible that these people are using them in their homes and not in front of you? That's just crazy, right?

It is possible that most of those devices are just crappy cheap tablets not really used after purchase....

Android market share is pumped up by cheap devices.

 

[brianvictor7]

Me too, and being a tech enthusiast, that's scaring.
I don't really feel the need to upgrade my iPad Air, even if the Air 2 is faster, lighter and has 2 Gb of RAM.

It has Touch ID which is very, very useful in my personal experience if keeping the device secured is an issue.

 

[Max(IT)]

It has Touch ID which is very, very useful in my personal experience if keepign the device secured is an issue.

It is, and I really like it.
But I don't feel it enough to spend money to upgrade.

 

[brianvictor7]

"delivering a consistent experience across all devices and platforms." is what Apple continues to miss and neglect. Google and Android has Google Docs and Microsoft has Office. Apple has completely failed with all its cloud attempts until now and it is going to be penalised for it. I wrote to Apple and even to Tim Cook but I have not seen any real attempt to improve the situation. It is a pity.

I share this opinion to a large degree. I do think iCloud is improving year over year, but there are several suggestions that I have been dropping at Apple and even one of their VPs directly since Oct 2013 and have seen none of them implemented. They haven't restored the functionality of iWork 09 and I don't see them doing so anytime soon now. Basically, the only iWork program I use now is Keynote.

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I am a staunch Windows 7 user (my desktop and my laptop), however I am also a staunch IOS user (my iPhone 5S and iPad2). I will admit that as Windows based laptops with detachable screens improve and depending on where Windows 10 goes (I do not like Windows 8), I would consider ditching my iPad since having a separate tablet and laptop is a bit of a hassle for me. I don't see ditching my iPhone for Android anytime soon.

The ideal world would have a computer that could serve as a tablet and computer without compromising the strengths of either device. Surface Pro 3 approaches this ideal but I'm not convinced that it has acheived it yet. But it is darn close. I think Apple would find business people lining up for a similar product if they made it.

 

[Tiger8]

Another hilarious analysis that assumes market share = winning/profitability. Hahahahaha



Jeff

Market Share is part of the holy trinity for successful retail: Market Share, Volume, Revenue/Profitability

 

[winston1236]

Apple usually nails it on the head, as far as what users want. But i'm starting to wonder if people are feeling as though iOS is too limited?? I personally don't thing so, but I also don't feel like an iPad replaces my computer.

I think it's more about diminishing returns for the consumer. What does a new iPad have that really makes it worth the upgrade price from say, a 2?

 

[Tiger8]

So IDC says that 67% of the tablet sold/shipped is based on Android. In my experience, I have hardly seen anyone using Android based tablet.

I would have agreed with you as late as last year, I'm actually seeing more and more non-iPads out there, Windows is making some dramatic strides too. I mean you can get a very good Windows HP Tablet for $79, bundled with Office 365 one year subscription and $25 windows store credit

 

[alexgowers]

There's room for iPads, desktops, laptops and phones and watches. They all have a place in people's lives. What we are seeing was predicted from the start that ipad adoption would reach saturation and it has.

I'm not sure where the figures are for worldwide and in which countries but there aren't many markets that need em now. They will sell at a steady rate, that certainly isn't a weak link!

 

[cdm283813]

I don't think it's boring, but your analysis is quite correct.

More like it has gotten boring over these last few years. When it first came out it was the hottest tech around for 2 years. The decline started about iPad 3 but then picked up with the mini but never regained iPad 2 status.
Now in 2015 Smartwatches are the new fad

 

[DevNull0]

Apple usually nails it on the head, as far as what users want. But i'm starting to wonder if people are feeling as though iOS is too limited?? I personally don't thing so, but I also don't feel like an iPad replaces my computer.

The iPad is fine as a tablet.

The problem is Apple seems to want to force people to use it as a computer replacement. And since the iPad is so much more limited in that space, Apple's solution is to take features and functionality away from their computers to bring them down to tablet level. Then Apple can say the iPad can do everything the computer can.

Look at the gutting to iWork and the photo editing apps. Now the iPad can do everything the mac can. Because the mac lost 90% of its functionality.

The mac is better because it has more ports? Not anymore.

Mac has a more powerful CPU? Take a look at the new mac mini and MacBooks. iPad is almost as powerful as a real computer…because the real computer has been gimped.

I have an iPad 4 I don't ever see myself upgrading. If it broke tomorrow, I don't even think I'd miss it. On the other hand, if my macbook died, I'd have it replaced within 24 hours, but probably with a PC given how gimp all of apples current computers are compared to 2012.

 

[Eadfrith]

A price cut is what will invigorate iPad sales.

 

[X-X]

Don't state the obvious you'll be disputed.

Say things like apple is doomed for a real effect

Postings about other people's postings of the "Apple is doomed" line, have become
even more annoying than the actual postings of the "Apple is doomed" line.

Honestly.



I would like to compare it to the word "troll" which has become even more annoying than actual trolls.

 

[miamialley]

Well, it is true that the iPad can have more features, but iOS limits what it can do. I would love multi-screen.

 

[69Mustang]

It is possible that most of those devices are just crappy cheap tablets not really used after purchase....

Android market share is pumped up by cheap devices.

I don't think Sam is arguing market share relevance. I think he's just pointing out the futility of using the anecdote Well, I only see X when I'm out... The tablets could simply be used in a home.

Those devices could very well be cheap crappy tablets. Whether a person purchases 1 cheap one or 10 and never uses it, they still contribute to an iPad not being purchased.

Like many, I think market share, as a stand alone barometer of anything, means little to nothing.