Samsung to Try to Beat Apple to Market with a "Retina" Display Tablet?

[Rodimus Prime]

There will obviously be high resolution iOS and Android tablets, that shouldn't be surprising. The difference will be how does the software handle it? iOS developers will have two include two versions of their graphics for one aspect ratio, but how many will Android developers have to include, considering the many screen sizes and aspect ratios that will be available? There's going to be a lot more planning and testing required to develop for Android devices, or the apps that don't adjust for every configuration will look bad and work poorly.

What matters is aspect ratio. If the aspect ratio is the same it really is a non issue.
I think it is funny that people seem to think iOS graphic and images have not been scale down. Chances are the original source file is much higher res and it gets scale down for iOS before it is loaded for the apps.

If they are vector graphic it is a non issue. Since many games run completely off vector based graphic a complete non issue.

 

[divinox]

I've reading about this story about Samsung and their new display on other sites, and Apple is not mentioned anywhere, and the apple fanboys are not screaming about copying, so I have to fault macrumors for the title, "Samsung tries to beat apple..." as if that's a fact. So many stories on macrumors that have nothing to do with Apple, yet for the sake of having people screaming and yelling, it's made seem as if the other company is doing it because of Apple. The reporting is just so misleading here.

Well. Its tabloid thinking in the web space. There is a reason why so many sites actively encourage "trolling". It generates more clicks and more discussion - all leading to increased revenues for the site. The practice is sad, but yet understandable i guess. Just wish people stopped falling for it so bad, including myself.

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Hehe.. Apple doesn't do most of the engineering work on their displays, and they don't hold any real exclusivity on any panels ordered. These are all made from commoditized parts. I can't believe how many people don't understand this. Before anyone begins to acquire lots of display panels in this kind of resolution, the parts can be quite cost prohibitive for manufacturers with lower shipping volumes per device.



You're still pretty far off on this one. Samsung supplies a lot of parts to Apple. It shouldn't be shocking that they use some of the same parts in their own devices. Some of you think reverse engineering happens in a very short time frame.


Display panels are different from displays. Many manufacturers use the same panels which is what determines resolution. It's not copying. It's just cost prohibitive to order custom parts. Five to ten years ago top quality lcd displays (thinking desktop displays here) were often made with custom parts, but none of these devices sell for enough to permit this anymore.




TN has a horrible reputation, but they've probably improved it more than the other technologies in the past several years. It still has a negative stigma to it, but as far as laptop displays go, the Apple ones don't look that bad these days. The white macbook was one that really deserved a better display. Most of the current machines are fine. Just putting in an ips panel doesn't automatically make it great. There is way more to it. It's like how people lust over OLED. They get too caught up in the technology rather than the product.

Im using one myself at this very moment (an Apple TN). While its not utterly crappy, its still notably sub-par compared to my DELL ips, my iMac and for that matter the ATD i have coming in (to replace the iMac). But sure, from a price/performance perspective, they're not that bad. Its just that "not that bad" isn't always good enough :- )

 

[macUser2007]

Newspapers shouldn't come as PDFs but in an app with additional multimedia features like the TIME Magazine, so there's no real need for a bigger screen.

Newspapers?! But even newspapers would be better on a larger screen.

I was speaking of magazines and standard PDFs. Think any magazine in Zinio. Think Scientific American's subscription PDFs. Think The Economist....

Then think of any standard business document, be it a Word document or a PDF.

Then think of all the books which are available as PDFs.

11"+ screen will allow comfortable reading of all such media, without constant scrolling and zooming. Yay!

Individual apps for publications are great for Apple's business model, but they suck for consumers and for publishers.

Reflowing, even when available for smaller screens, sucks when the publisher wishes to present a particular layout, and the user wants to see such layout.

There is definitely a need for 11"+ screens and many have been waiting for just such a tablet, as long as it has good battery life and a decent UI.

Again, I wish it was Apple that came out with it, but it's not. So Samsung will get my money, and the iPad will be relegated to full-time remote control duties, which is pretty much all I use it for now (I read on a 9.7" Kindle DXG and travel with a Mac Book Pro).

 

[thekev]

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But sure, from a price/performance perspective, they're not that bad. Its just that "not that bad" isn't always good enough :- )

I understand that. I like my Eizo . It's the only brand that's never felt like a compromise from a sort of higher end crt. I was just trying to say that I think TN has received a lot of R+D because it's cost effective, but the display is probably the most important component to me assuming the computer is fast enough. I would lose more time from a poor display than from a computer that's 10% slower.

Just to edit this back on topic, the people accusing Samsung of copycatism when a retina like ipad (retina is nothing more than a marketing term anyway) hasn't even been announced, are very silly trolls.

 

[adder7712]

The reality is that no one really wants Samsung's tablets, unfortunately. The display is the least of their problems.

Then, why am I seeing people with Galaxy Tabs?

No, they're not confused with the iPad. They can't be that ignorant.

 

[yodaxl7]

Dude.

What the hell.

I'm extremely picky about music, for example, and have 11 GB.

I have more apps than I use and they only total about 1 GB.

Some awesome games are huge like 600 mb or even over 1 gb in size. Most games are small like less than 100 mb. Most apps are small with some exceptions like garage band or infinity blade II, etc. I am in the same boat. I got 25 gb left out of the 64gb on my ipad 2.

 

[shazpharm]

Hi I am newbie to this site. I glad to be with you here..

 

[2IS]

Too bad the potential iPad 3 still had a higher PPI, which is all that matters

Samsung at 11.6" 2560x1600 = 260 PPI

iPad 3 at 9.7" 2048x1536 = 264 PPI

So you're saying if the iPad 3 had the option for both screens you'd pick the smaller one with less screen real-estate because it has +4 PPI?

I didn't think so either.

 

[vitzr]

This is good news. Competition keeps companies from getting complacent. Especially those who are very successful.

 

[hchung]

(Comment Removed; noticed KnightWRX already made the same statement so no dupe is necessary.)

 

[SilenceBe]

How come when Apple increases PPI - its magical, and when Samsung does the same - its useless and "the wrong thing to do". This, i'll never get

You should really read the book "The inmates are running the asylum" by Alan Cooper. Really great book that stipulates what is wrong with most tech companies these days.

What Apple does has never been "magical" in my book, it is just common sense. 90% of the companies out there could do the same. Then again I find the "magic" argument kinda weak its kinda the Apple version of godwin's law but using magic instead of nazi's. The only people mentioning "magic" are those without arguments that are trying to spin it in the same old boring mantra "apple users are fanboys, apple users don't follow any logic"... . Extremely weak form of discussion.

Where Apple does things with focus on improving usability. They for once have a usability reason why they incorporate certain tech. When they don't equip iMacs with touch screen that is because of a usability. The reason they equip the iPad3 with a possible higher resolution to improve readability. I dare you to find one book about usability or design where Apple doesn't get mentioned.

When I see the advertisement of galaxy tablets in newspapers, magazine's or television ads Samsung tend to focus on things like "dual core processor", xxx MB RAM, Amoled, etc. For them it is just a feature race. The 10.1v has only been introduced because the iPad2 was thinner, not because of consumers. That is a fact.

The problem is that most companies tend to forget that "expert" users only count for 2% tops of the complete user base. They don't care for dual core processors, tegra ,... that if they even understand all the technicalities. So yes there is something wrong in my book with that... .

The only "magical" thing is the fact that most tech companies still don't grasp that concept. There isn't any magic in common sense.

 

[Ubuntu]

How come when Apple increases PPI - its magical, and when Samsung does the same - its useless and "the wrong thing to do". This, i'll never get.

I think it's because Apple only added the feature to an already-wonderful product. Samsung's adding the feature to a product that will still perform poorly in other aspects. I'm only basing my opinion on the Tab 10.1 which my dad did own for a few days. It's all nice on paper, but when you actually use it the experience isn't too great. This time round it'll be nice to have the retina display, but I imagine I'd still have the same issues with the device because Samsung taking the wrong approach. They're adding more and more without addressing the older issues such as poor OS optimisation. Imo.

 

[devilstrider]

Too bad the potential iPad 3 still had a higher PPI, which is all that matters

Samsung at 11.6" 2560x1600 = 260 PPI

iPad 3 at 9.7" 2048x1536 = 264 PPI

LOL how dumb can you be? Such a fanboy. lol

 

[thekev]

I think it's because Apple only added the feature to an already-wonderful product. Samsung's adding the feature to a product that will still perform poorly in other aspects. I'm only basing my opinion on the Tab 10.1 which my dad did own for a few days. It's all nice on paper, but when you actually use it the experience isn't too great. This time round it'll be nice to have the retina display, but I imagine I'd still have the same issues with the device because Samsung taking the wrong approach. They're adding more and more without addressing the older issues such as poor OS optimisation. Imo.

I tend to avoid speculation on these things until they're actually on the market. Spec wars are dumb, but if display panels are available with that kind of resolution and within their manufacturing budget, there is no reason they shouldn't use them. Regarding software optimization, it's a different team that would be working on that, so implementing one does not mean they can't also work on the other. I would suggest to reserve judgement on what they will or will not do until there's an actual product out. If it is competitive, it just encourages Apple to work harder, as Samsung products are not going to lead to drastic layoffs at Apple.

 

[PlipPlop]

Then, why am I seeing people with Galaxy Tabs?

No, they're not confused with the iPad. They can't be that ignorant.

Ive got a Galaxy Tab and its brilliant, the display is so good. All the reviews point to it being the best tablet display which is one of the main reason I went for it.

 

[Thunderhawks]

I say, let's come to a resolution with this thread and be done.

Summary:

Android lovers buy Android

ipad lovers buy ipads

and we all live in peace.

As the Beatles already sang:

You say you want a resolution / Well, you know /
We all want to change the world (Apple did) /
You tell me that it's evolution / (Yes, Apple did)
Well, you know / We all want to change the ...

 

[adder7712]

I am just unhappy how 16:9 destroyed nearly all progress with higher resolution displays on notebooks. 1080p suddenly becomes the standard from 1920 x 1200 and 1366 x 768 is everywhere. I just want a notebook with a 1600 x 900 panel and a decent midrange GPU! Ugh...

Otherwise I end up melting my lap or killing my eyes. Would it kill someone to use a eIPS or PLS panel too? HP has IPS on the ENVY now, yikes!

That's just technology.

I really want a 1080p MacBook Pro.

 

[muncyweb]

Apple Product Knock-Offs

Samsung joins the ranks.

 

[2IS]

Samsung joins the ranks.

So you think Apple and only Apple should be able to incorporate high PPI displays in their products?

 

[Oletros]

Samsung joins the ranks.

And exactly why they enter the ranks?

Where is the KIRF?

 

[skinned66]

4x4=16; 3x3=9

LOL, nice try

 

[tomc1907]

I hope they do!

 

[macUser2007]

I say, let's come to a resolution with this thread and be done.

Summary:

Android lovers buy Android

ipad lovers buy ipads....

I don't understand why "lovers?"

These are tools. All have their pluses and minuses -- most of us figure out what best fits our needs. "Lovers" in this case equals "fanboys," and there is no arguing with those.

For me, a larger screen allowing me to read full-size PDFs and magazines outweighs the better UI of iOS. But even this rumored 11.6" screen may be too small -- the standard 8.5"x11" size corresponds to a diagonal of 13.9", so we'll see how much more useful it is in real life.

If Apple came up with a 13" or 14" tablet, it will own the segment....

 

[alexhajj]

Honestly, I think these high res screens are pointless. Why don't they give my these high resolutions in a monitor that DOESN'T cost 1000$?

That's all I want.

 

[Ubuntu]

I tend to avoid speculation on these things until they're actually on the market. Spec wars are dumb, but if display panels are available with that kind of resolution and within their manufacturing budget, there is no reason they shouldn't use them. Regarding software optimization, it's a different team that would be working on that, so implementing one does not mean they can't also work on the other. I would suggest to reserve judgement on what they will or will not do until there's an actual product out. If it is competitive, it just encourages Apple to work harder, as Samsung products are not going to lead to drastic layoffs at Apple.

I respect your opinion but you appeared to have missed my point. I'm not saying that Samsung shouldn't use retina displays, definitely not. My issue is that it's not the whole product and Samsung seems to think it is. I tried the Nexus recently and it has a gorgeous display but it's no use if the software is still pretty sluggish to me. I'd rather they just release a stable, fast phone.

In regards to my previous post the current product is Honeycomb. That's what my post was based on. I'm not slating the upcoming samsung retina display tablet for what it is as a device, I'm just saying unless Icecream sandwich 4.0 is absolutely brilliant on the tablet (from what I've tried of the phone version, it's still got some nagging old issues) I'll be picking up the tablet, looking at the nice screen and then putting it back.

And come on, I'm well aware that different teams have different responsibilities - it's insulting to my intelligence to suggest I really think Samsung's just one big group of people with little organisation.

I'm basing my opinion on my past experiences with samsung products. I agree it's not good to judge a product before it's released but it's perfectly acceptable to base opinions on past experiences and my experiences have been that Samsung releases a new product and flaunt some awesome feature, I think "oh this'll be the one" and then I try it and return it or never buy it in the first place. Done this with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, S2 and Nexus.

To reiterate, all I'm saying is that it's not all about the big fancy features. Apple's very keen on gimmicks like that, but they actually have good quality software behind it.