iPad Seen as 'Weakest Link' in Stagnating Tablet Market

[mr.bee]

I love the ipad on a hardware level. It's still the best on the market

The problem for me is ios. I find it great from a consumer perspective. I like to check the web, mail, chats with it, maybe take it to a coffee bar, for holidays or travel.

But not for a pro, no document management and not large enough screen estate for working all day long. Are just some of the points why it won't work on a professional level.

I also think that the market for people that can spend 500$€ for a leisure device, most of the times a second or a third computer and is still going well after 4 years of usage, is not that big as the iphone market for example.

 

[jkichline]

I tell you what the problem is...

The problem is that the iPad 2 was a great device for most people. I looked at my stats a few days ago and was shocked that about 35% of my users are on an iPad 2! That's the single most popular device. About 3% of my users are on iPad 1 and iPad 3-4 are about another 1/3.

The reason they aren't selling is because they are great devices that last a long time especially if you have an app that works on them. All Apple will need to do to force upgrades is to drop support for iPad 2 in iOS 9. In about a year, developers will have a more difficult time developing for iOS 8 and users will upgrade. But I applaud Apple for supporting users as long as they have!

 

[69650]

The problem is that Apple wants everyone to buy an iPad and a MacBook. I like the way the MS Surface replaces two devices with one powerful multifunctional device. Apple are two short sighted to go down that route.

 

[Keirasplace]

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IDC on Thursday reduced its five year forecast for worldwide tablet shipments following the tablet market's first year-over-year decline in the fourth quarter. The research firm estimates that 234.5 million tablets will be shipped during 2015, representing marginal growth of 2.1% from 2014.

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Android is expected to remain the market leader among platforms throughout the course of the forecast, whereas the iPad is predicted to be the "weakest link" and see its volume share of the market continue to decline in 2015. IDC believes that iOS will drop from its present 27.6% market share to 23% through 2019.

The research firm also estimates that Microsoft could see its worldwide tablet market share nearly triple from 5.1% today to 14.1% market share in 2019 on the strength of Windows 10. IDC research director Jean Phillippe Bouchard claims Microsoft will slowly gain a foothold by delivering a consistent experience across all devices and platforms.iPad momentum fell flat in the fourth quarter as overall tablet market growth continues to decline. iPad sales have declined for four consecutive quarters, and Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri cautioned investors during its latest earnings call that iPad sales are unlikely to see a dramatic year-over-year improvement in the near future. Nevertheless, it is rumored that Apple could have two new iPad in the works in an attempt to reinvigorate tablet sales.

First and foremost, Apple is expected to release the much-rumored "iPad Pro" later this year with a larger 12.9-inch screen and faster A8X processor. Meanwhile, a questionable rumor from last week claims that the company may release an iPad mini 4 with an A8 processor and 802.11ac Wi-Fi in the near future, after some users expressed disappointment that Touch ID was virtually the only new feature on the iPad mini 3.

Article Link: iPad Seen as 'Weakest Link' in Stagnating Tablet Market

What the hell does that even mean? And if your making 90% of the profit... How on earth are the other tablet makers the "strongest leak". That's the dumbest analysis I've ever seen.

 

[69650]

The problem for me is ios. I find it great from a consumer perspective. I like to check the web, mail, chats with it, maybe take it to a coffee bar, for holidays or travel.

But not for a pro, no document management and not large enough screen estate for working all day long. Are just some of the points why it won't work on a professional level.

The problem for me is the fact that you can only install Apple approved iOS apps which still excludes most business apps. That forces you towards cloud based apps instead. For me the iPad will always be an entertainment device rather than a replacement computer.

 

[Keirasplace]

Yes, some are keeping their ipads or other brand tablets longer. But that's because there is little additional value in the newer products.

Same as happened with netbooks, which not coincidentally is the product category that tablets replaced.



Dunno where you are but Android tablets are everywhere - everyone and their grandmother has them. People use them as remote controls, as home music terminals, as kitchen digital cookbooks, you name it.

You can get a 7" tablet with surprisingly respectable performance (given the inherent limitaitons of the tablet form factor) for 100-200 bucks. Like I said above this the netbook market all over again, except at even lower price points.

And most of the OEM are losing money and they a huge proportion of them have mallware on it. Google a bit for that information. I guess Apple is doomed because they only have 18% of the phone market... Oh and 93% of profits. The whole argument about market share is tiresome.

 

[69650]

What the hell does that even mean? And if your making 90% of the profit... How on earth are the other tablet makers the "strongest leak". That's the dumbest analysis I've ever seen.

Do we know for sure Apple is taking 90% of profits in the tablet market? I haven't seen that quoted anywhere. Yes they take 90% of the smartphone market profits but that doesn't necessarily transfer to tablets.

 

[AtomicGrog]

The problem is that Apple wants everyone to buy an iPad and a MacBook. I like the way the MS Surface replaces two devices with one powerful multifunctional device. Apple are two short sighted to go down that route.

Going by numbers sold and the way Microsoft have to heavily discount their products you're in the minority.

Regardless, I don't see either as the way ahead. I look for a unified piece of technology which will full fill all my needs with different (both seamlessly and wirelessly) being able to fit into any presentation mode - workplace, mobile, home etc. though different presentation technologies...

Think of a mobile phone being able to use a big screen and keyboard through adjacency at work/home and a dumb tablet based screen with no compute power as a presentation device with the compute in your pocket when on the move. And with the 64 bit, 2GB+ memory models in our phones that's a capability we could have today, not in a decade.

 

[ttss6]

With the 6 Plus, I've noticed I'm using my iPad a lot less than I used to when I had the 5. This is probably similar to other 6+ owners. But don't worry Apple the money that would have gone to a new iPad mini 4 (with a real upgrade, not the cop-out of one with the 3rd gen) is going to preorder my stainless steel  Watch!

 

[FantasyX]

I'm still using my iPad two mostly for reading stuff these days, and no need to upgrade (even though it has become painfully slow at times) until Apple releases the bigger iPad-Pro I guess... Meanwhile I'm mostly between my iPhone 6+ and my Macs for all my daily tasks.

 

[FieldingMellish]

I could never justify buying an ipad to go with my MacBook Air so I never owned one. Now with IPhone 6 plus, I'm really never going to own an iPad. To me, it's a consuming device and its ability to create content is either blunted or contrived.

 

[OatmealRocks]

I love the ipad on a hardware level. It's still the best on the market

The problem for me is ios. I find it great from a consumer perspective. I like to check the web, mail, chats with it, maybe take it to a coffee bar, for holidays or travel.

But not for a pro, no document management and not large enough screen estate for working all day long. Are just some of the points why it won't work on a professional level.

I also think that the market for people that can spend 500$€ for a leisure device, most of the times a second or a third computer and is still going well after 4 years of usage, is not that big as the iphone market for example.

Working on what? What professional requires the use of an iPad over a computer? What professional uses his fingers over touch screen to do stuff rather than a mouse on a computer? Also what professional requires iOS rather than an OS with real functionality? Your use case explanation is confusing at best.

 

[Art0fLife]

Doesn't help that developers are lazy as hell when it comes to iPad. I know at least two people in fact who took theirs back the next day on that basis alone. From Apple themselves to Tapbots on down, the level of "meh, we don't want iPad users' money" is astonishing to me. The one thing that has made me decide to just stick to my iPhone 6 plus alone rather than upgrading my iPad next time is that I am so tired of my most used iOS apps being a year/two iOS versions + behind on my iPad with no update in near site. That and the general "**** you" attitude the devs give when you reach out to them.

Has also made me cautious about checking their update history out before they get any money. Or anything more than a 1 star review in the case of devs who dropped the ball after they had my money.

 

[rowspaxe]

The built-in kickstand is utterly amazing as well, whatever engineering team came up with that deserves a medal for the incredible design. The first and second revisions were good, but the one used with the SP3 is absolutely perfect. It really does prove useful in every use case without having to resort to ugly or chunky cases.

Oh, and the Pen is amazingly useful.

moderator alert: poster had open mind toward sp3 and perhaps, windows.

seriously--the sp3 is most interesting product since the macbook air

 

[djtech42]

Why the heck do you have one then?

I really wanted one at the time, but when I actually got it, I only used it once in a while. When I got the iPhone 6 Plus, it essentially replaced it for me.

 

[Keirasplace]

Do we know for sure Apple is taking 90% of profits in the tablet market? I haven't seen that quoted anywhere. Yes they take 90% of the smartphone market profits but that doesn't necessarily transfer to tablets.

Pretty hard to know for sure, but consider that :
- Only Apple publishes reliable numbers (IDC & Samsung numbers are iffy at best as proved during the Samsung vs Apple court case)
- ASP for tablets is in a freefall outside IOS (even worse than on smart phones), probably around 30-40% the price of the average Apple tablet
- Margins in those tablets are probably around 0-10% (if they're not losing money)
- Apple has a bigger market share in tablets than phones,
- Apple sells 20M+ per quarter, making 30% at least on each
- Apple completely dominate the high end, even more than in smart phone There is no real competition that sells in substantial volume there (the high is were the profits are mostly made)

I'm pretty confident that Apple isn't off much from 90% of industry profit; lets say 85+-5% ;-).

 

[CE3]

I loved my Air and now I love my Air 2 (although I liked the speakers on the Air 1 better).

My iPad doesn't replace my computer, but I use it everyday and I can't think of a better tablet option for me on the market. It's an excellent product. The App Store is still light years ahead of GooglePlay and Amazon.

 

[jm001]

For me iOS was too limited, so I ditched my iPad3 and bought a 13" rMBP. It's a bit heavier and a LOT more useful.

I know lots of people find their iPads to be productive tools. It just didn't work for me.

It all depends on what your needs are. I myself prefer my desktop MacPro (circa. 2010) and only use an iPad as an ebook, sketchbook or writing down ideas. Most of the time I'm on my desktop (I also prefer desktops over laptops).

 

[OneMike]

I got my kids iPad minis when they first came out and they are still great and running, no design to upgrade at this point. Same for the iPad I got my mom.

That said, I do see the iPad losing in the long run if things don't change.

 

[ITGuy]

For me, iOS limitations are no longer tolerable and the only reason I haven't dumped my iPad 2 is because I have the grandfathered AT&T unlimited data plan.

There is no way I will buy another iPad unless Apple drastically improves multitasking, allows me to set default applications, exposes the file system, removes document file type limitations, and allows me to block App Store URLs from launching the App Store without my express consent. These issues are beyond annoying, and I no longer enjoy using my iPad like I used to years ago.

I love the tablet form factor, but I've grown tired of limitations of iOS imposed by Apple. I no longer believe iPad is for me, but I will try to hold out for WWDC timeframe to see what iOS 9 will bring to the table. Until then, I will investigate the migration from OS X and iOS to Windows 10.

-ITG

 

[Neepman]

One of the best products ever created and its really going to suck when apple kills it before its 10th birthday.

 

[pdqgp]

The problem is that Apple wants everyone to buy an iPad and a MacBook. I like the way the MS Surface replaces two devices with one powerful multifunctional device. Apple are two short sighted to go down that route.

I wouldn't call them too short sighted. Products all go through evolutions and this slow down was bound to happen.

I agree that MS Surface units are doing well and even our company is moving to them and away from iPads. In the end iPads just aren't necessary devices any more. Not when the one main feature which was size is really no longer a factor.

 

[smorrissey]

Well after the iPad air 2 aka iPop i'm pretty much done with ipads. So yeah im saying good bye to it.

 

[Jstuts5797]

The issue with ipad sales is that they really made it TOO good from the get go and only improved it from there. People have no need or desire to upgrade. Their first purchased ipads still work amazing and given the cost why would you buy another until you need to?

 

[dampfnudel]

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?

Sadly, you didn't miss a thing.

And that's why Apple needs to introduce a iPad Pro that can switch between iOS and OSX. The iPad is essentially a iPod touch with a bigger screen now and it needs to be more than than.