Research Firm Predicts Apple Tablet, 300,000 iPhone Applications for 2010

[LagunaSol]

It's the same old linux-on-the-desktop story line. I would love for Android to be a real threat and get a "one-up each other" competitive battle going on with Apple, but it won't happen without a "gPhone" [which actually is on the horizon i guess] with real advertising/marketing support.

Yep, the old "knife your partners in the back" routine a la Microsoft (PlaysForSure). I wonder how that (Zune) turned out. *snicker*

Google definitely seems to be following the Microsoft model these days, with a thousand different crusades but no one overseeing the whole campaign or providing any strategic direction. All they're missing is a sweaty CEO with a big mouth.

 

[iOrlando]

doesnt the report go into their predictions about how internet connectivity for a new tablet would be handled by apple? i.e. sell it through itunes they believe?

granted predictions are a bunch of crock. I dont believe in them. But heck we can sure speculate to our heats content.

one reason why ipod was so great..NO MONTHLY FEES

now we have this new tablet...and a monthly fee? people wont bite too fast.

Now..if apple incorporated that whole advertisement scheme that was talked on here last month...where you get free access to everything, you just have to put up with some ads....maybe...

 

[Ironduke]

The Apple iTablet must also run Mac applications. It must be a touch Mac.

it wont be i wager

 

[Vulpinemac]

This is great news, however I think Apple's time in the lead is limited. As more Android devices become available, I believe that Google's more open platform will end up dominating the smartphone market. I love Apple's iPhone OS, however I am hearing more and more Developers defecting to only produce applications for Android as the days go by.

As long as the iPhone stays tied to AT&T, I would have to agree with you. However, we already know that AT&T is attempting to leapfrog the competition with a G4.5 platform. We have also been told that this 'iPad' will probably use some other network--like, maybe, Verizon?

 

[840quadra]

I doubt this. I like Google and I like the concept of Android, but the platform becomes more fractured (read: confusing to consumers) every day. You're going to end up with a thousand devices with a thousand different software skins and there will be no cohesive brand. Not to mention the application woes, where an app works on device A & B but not on devices X, Y and Z because of differences in the hardware.

There are differences in hardware yes, however many of the applications that were originally ported for the G1, work fine, or are taking little to get them to work on the Droid or similar devices. I can imagine that over time, manufacturers will work with Google to make a standard group of hardware to make application development an easier task.

As for developers abandoning the iPhone en masse for Android, I don't think so. It's not happening now and I doubt it will happen at all. Developers are making peanuts from Android apps right now.

Actually It is happening now.


Today, Rogue Amoeba announced they were giving up on iPhone development. Rogue Amoeba is a large OS X developer, and used to also create applications for the iPhone.

Facebook iPhone Dev Quits Project Over Apple Tyranny

I know there are more, I just don't have time to locate the links ( am at work). I have a feeling that if the approval process stays the same, the list will get larger, and be filled with more familiar household names.

I rest my case.

Doesn't really build your case. It showcases how many devices are going to be released running the Android OS, likely on multiple carriers, becoming available to a larger customer base.

 

[LagunaSol]

Actually It is happening now.

I said "en masse." You're talking about a handful. And that handful is eclipsed by the new developers getting on board every day.

Doesn't really build your case. It showcases how many devices are going to be released running the Android OS, likely on multiple carriers, becoming available to a larger customer base.

It absolutely builds the case. Yes, the iPhone's carrier exclusivity hurts it, but no one expects that to last forever. And a thousand confusing phones with a thousand confusing names and a thousand different confusing cosmetic faces on Android will not be a selling point for consumers in the long run. Watch and see.

Remember, there were lots of iPod challengers with lots of names and lots of features and lots of price points. Why could none mount a serious challenge? iTunes, of course, and the lack of a cohesive brand.

 

[DanielSw]

This is great news, however I think Apple's time in the lead is limited. As more Android devices become available, I believe that Google's more open platform will end up dominating the smartphone market. I love Apple's iPhone OS, however I am hearing more and more Developers defecting to only produce applications for Android as the days go by.

If Apple does not change it's application approval / sorting process, I will continue to share my opinion with folks in the industry that have that viewpoint about Apple.



Remember that many of the application purchasers are using iPhone OS in the version of the iPod Touch.

Horse feathers.

"Open" doesn't mean better. Any system has to have clearly defined boundaries for it to be effective. There may be some interesting Android propaganda going on, but the bottom line--which Apple has and is still drawing in the sand--will be whether its stats (#sales, #developers, #apps, etc.) are ever even comparable much less better than Apple's.

More and more iPhone developers leaving? Small number. Insignificant. Unproductive while they were there, at any rate.

 

[*LTD*]

Horse feathers.

"Open" doesn't mean better. Any system has to have clearly defined boundaries for it to be effective. There may be some interesting Android propaganda going on, but the bottom line--which Apple has and is still drawing in the sand--will be whether its stats (#sales, #developers, #apps, etc.) are ever even comparable much less better than Apple's.

More and more iPhone developers leaving? Small number. Insignificant. Unproductive while they were there, at any rate.

Apple has proven that their "walled garden" business model is THE business model to try to emulate . . . or copy badly. Apple is the envy of the industry, and they're as "closed" as anyone can get.

 

[Lightbrazer]

I hope they call it "iTouch", just to screw with everyone who keeps using that name when referring to the iPod touch.

If it's 6 to 8 inches, runs the iPhone OS with more power etc then I personally would hope it has some Newton reference in it's name. That was so oustandingly far ahead of it's time that only now is tech actually starting to surpass it and this tablet is basically what the Newton has evolved into.

 

[LagunaSol]

If it's 6 to 8 inches, runs the iPhone OS with more power etc then I personally would hope it has some Newton reference in it's name. That was so oustandingly far ahead of it's time that only now is tech actually starting to surpass it and this tablet is basically what the Newton has evolved into.

Agree 100%. Newton is an awesome brand name (unlike iPhone, which is a crap name).

Newton is much better than the current iAnything naming trend.

 

[kzin]

The Apple iTablet must also run Mac applications. It must be a touch Mac.

I agree. I'm completely not interested in a "super-sized iPod Touch" ... complete with all of the limitations that the iPhone/iPod Touch put into their store, and accessing the inner layers of the device.

I definitely want a "shrunk down Macintosh". With a more finger-friendly GUI? Sure. Definitely. But it has to be based on Mac software, with Mac applications, including Terminal.app, ssh, VNC type apps, and su/sudo.

Last, if it has built-in 3G, I don't want carrier lock-in. I'm a T-Mobile customer ... not AT&T, not Verizon, and not Sprint. I don't want to have to jump carriers for this device.

 

[oldwatery]

While I tend to believe this assessment is close to the mark I will personally be a bit disappointed. My dream would have been for an OSX based machine rather than a big iPod touch.....however realistic or not this might be.
However, there is no doubt that whatever form it takes it's going to be a huge success.
Wish I hadn't sold my Apple shares

 

[oldwatery]

I said "en masse." You're talking about a handful. And that handful is eclipsed by the new developers getting on board every day.



It absolutely builds the case. Yes, the iPhone's carrier exclusivity hurts it, but no one expects that to last forever. And a thousand confusing phones with a thousand confusing names and a thousand different confusing cosmetic faces on Android will not be a selling point for consumers in the long run. Watch and see.

Remember, there were lots of iPod challengers with lots of names and lots of features and lots of price points. Why could none mount a serious challenge? iTunes, of course, and the lack of a cohesive brand.

I agree.
The android is going to flop....BIG TIME!

 

[rtdunham]

Maybe they should call the tablet the "Universe", or iUniverse or My Universe:

With it, you can "read everything, watch everything, find everything, play everything, do everything, see everywhere, be everywhere..."

there are abundant examples apple could use in ads to support each of those contentions

(the "play" and "do" everything being the weak links in my scenario, as they're dependent upon software compatibility and hardware cababilities)

 

[carmenodie]

IMHO the tablet format is nothing without the right software. Everyday you go on engadget and they are showcasing another piece of tablet hardware. Blah blah blah! Nothing special. Lets move on. But if Apple can get the right content on that thing(supposed tablet) then they could very well have a hit.

 

[aeaglex07]

I love my iphone but i checked out the Droid and I have to say it was pretty lame to see a "touchscreen" device with no multitouch abilities.

 

[DMann]

I agree.
The android is going to flop....BIG TIME!

It won't flop as much as it will continue to erode the market share of WinMo, over the next few years.

I doubt this. I like Google and I like the concept of Android, but the platform becomes more fractured (read: confusing to consumers) every day. You're going to end up with a thousand devices with a thousand different software skins and there will be no cohesive brand. Not to mention the application woes, where an app works on device A & B but not on devices X, Y and Z because of differences in the hardware.

'Tis true - I'm having a really tough time deciding on my next phone - I kinda like the Espresso for its screen, Halo for its external volume control, but it has too many buttons IMO, Bahamas is light, but looks and feels cheap, Bravo is big, perhaps a bit too big, good for watching vids, DesireC has a smaller screen with louder speakers, but no external volume control, HeroCT has GPS, but the screen is way too small, Incredible seems quite bulky, but has an external antenna, and not as many buttons, Legend might even sport a capacitive screen, and might also have really good res, even though its plastic, Liberty has a flimsy keyboard, as does Memphis, which has a unique, but odd design, but does voice control, Paradise has a better camera, Supersonic shoots video......

 

[skellener]

The iTunes Store has become Windows. 300,000 crap apps is nothing to to cheer about. Have you see some of the junk up there that has been approved?

Some guy writes an app that will let you call your friend. So does he make an app that you can input the person's name so it shows up on the home screen? Noooooo..... He creates like 100 separate apps each with a "different" name. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. Like 10 pages of the same app, over and over, and over just with a different name.

Call John
Call Jane
Call Joe
Call Janet
Call Jeff

etc....

WTF??

I'd like to see more focus on good quality apps. Like on the Mac. There are tons more apps available on Windows, but they almost all suck. The ratio is much smaller on OS X. There may be less on the Mac, but more of them are gems.

 

[DMann]

The iTunes Store has become Windows. 300,000 crap apps is nothing to to cheer about. Have you see some of the junk up there that has been approved?

Some guy writes an app that will let you call your friend. So does he make an app that you can input the person's name so it shows up on the home screen? Noooooo..... He creates like 100 separate apps each with a "different" name. That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever seen. Like 10 pages of the same app, over and over, and over just with a different name.

Call John
Call Jane
Call Joe
Call Janet
Call Jeff

etc....

WTF??

I'd like to see more focus on good quality apps. Like on the Mac. There are tons more apps available on Windows, but they almost all suck. The ratio is much smaller on OS X. There may be less on the Mac, but more of them are gems.

Gee, I hope he's only asking .99/name, otherwise, that would be such a major rip-off.

 

[skellener]

Gee, I hope he's only asking .99/name, otherwise, that would be such a major rip-off.

'Ya think? I've seen other apps that do this too. It really just clogs the store. Sure wish we could get apps elsewhere. Oh wait, you can when you jailbreak!

 

[8CoreWhore]

GIMMEEGIMMEEGIMMEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[djdole]

Cant this research firm research something a little more important? Like, hmm... I don't know.... medicines, profitable economy-stimulating projects, viable free green energy, time travel etc? I mean, anyone on MacRumors can (and DO) make these types of educated speculative guesses about Apple products.

I'm surprised they didn't also include some obvious predictions like:
- Apple to block more apps in 2010 based on arbitrary decisions.
- Apple to release updated iPhone post 2009 holiday season.
- Jobs will eventually die after realizes his iPancreas' battery isn't user serviceable, and the techs it had to be sent to for servicing deemed it a bio-hazard (voiding his AppleCare warranty).

 

[OnePotato]

Maybe they should call the tablet the "Universe", or iUniverse or My Universe:

With it, you can "read everything, watch everything, find everything, play everything, do everything, see everywhere, be everywhere..."

there are abundant examples apple could use in ads to support each of those contentions

(the "play" and "do" everything being the weak links in my scenario, as they're dependent upon software compatibility and hardware cababilities)

I'm kind of partial to iWander. There's all kinds of riffs you could do on the name.

 

[LagunaSol]

It won't flop as much as it will continue to erode the market share of WinMo, over the next few years.

And that's where I'm rooting for Android: to destroy WinMo and rout Microsoft out of a market.

'Tis true - I'm having a really tough time deciding on my next phone - I kinda like the Espresso for its screen, Halo for its external volume control, but it has too many buttons IMO, Bahamas is light, but looks and feels cheap, Bravo is big, perhaps a bit too big, good for watching vids, DesireC has a smaller screen with louder speakers, but no external volume control, HeroCT has GPS, but the screen is way too small, Incredible seems quite bulky, but has an external antenna, and not as many buttons, Legend might even sport a capacitive screen, and might also have really good res, even though its plastic, Liberty has a flimsy keyboard, as does Memphis, which has a unique, but odd design, but does voice control, Paradise has a better camera, Supersonic shoots video......

LOL! Fret not, the HeroCT 2x Platinum (2011) is going to have a larger screen, along with a sweet new HTC Android UI skin called TouchCheezWizFloMoGlo (TM).

Disclaimer: TouchCheezWizFloMoGlo will not be backwards compatible with HeroCT...

 

[LagunaSol]

The iTunes Store has become Windows. 300,000 crap apps is nothing to to cheer about. Have you see some of the junk up there that has been approved?

And what's wrong with that? Software variety is the one area in which Windows doesn't suck (though, granted, I still find most Mac software of higher caliber).

Who said there will be 300,000 crap apps? How about 295,000 crap apps and 5,000 good or great ones? I'll take it.

Sure, volume brings crap, but there are plenty of gems to be found. The trick will be in filtering out all the rubbish.