I've never felt widgets are must for any OS using Windows XP/Vista/7, OSX, Symbian, Windows Mobile and most of them had widgets before iOS even came into the full time prominence. If widget is a must have killer item that decides the sales after all these year being in the existence, I'll be really really surprised.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why Apple Should Be Scared
- Thread starter zenio
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've never felt widgets are must for any OS using Windows XP/Vista/7, OSX, Symbian, Windows Mobile and most of them had widgets before iOS even came into the full time prominence. If widget is a must have killer item that decides the sales after all these year being in the existence, I'll be really really surprised.
I think that's what a lot, and I mean a LOT of people on this forum can't seem to wrap their head around. The average user here is a tech-nerd (like me
) whereas the vast majority of the target audience for tablets like the iPad and Xoom and others is your average Joe or Jane who wouldn't know a widget if it slapped 'em upside the head.That kind of consumer wants something more simple and straight forward and elegant, and that's where Apple has the advantage. So you can argue that Honeycomb is better than IOS, and I've been pretty impressed with it so far, but in the end I think that Apple will keep a large lead of the tablet market share and the Android will carve out a respectable piece of the pie.
IMHO, when you are discussing which platform will dominate, it's not about which one is better technically, but which one is the most appealing to the average consumer, especially ones who already own Apple products. That kind of user doesn't care about file systems and arets and widgets and the like, they just want a simple gadget that works well and a place to go when they have problems.
Now if we are discussing which one is better for the average geek, that's a different story. I think things are going to get really interesting for me and my geek brethren in the next few months. I would even consider getting a Xoom myself if I wasn't so invested in the Apple "ecosystem", not that I'm complaining, I love my iPad, but there are a few things that bug me about it. Who knows, once the Xoom and iPad2 hit the streets, I might change my mind.
Author of that article is a bit biased, as evidenced by this line when talking about multitasking: "Not the weird gimpy version featured in iOS" He doesn't seem to understand the technology or the reasons behind it either.
Sounds like he's just repeating what an Android rep told him without understanding it.
Sounds like he's just repeating what an Android rep told him without understanding it.
Fully tabbed? No thanks. I like mobile Safari's thumbnail browser. It works much better on a touch interface than tiny tabs.
Fully cached? The only way that'll happen is if the hardware has much more RAM, or it uses a VM system which will be slow.
Is it just me or do the Android advocates here claim "Honeycomb was designed from the ground up to be a tablet OS" but then say what they like about it is the features that are reminiscent of a desktop OS. Full multitasking, widgets, file system access, etc. Why not just get a Windows tablet or an Axiotron Modbook if you want a full desktop OS?
I'm not sure of the performance of tabbed fully cached browsing yet on the Xoom. It does have 1GB of RAM though i believe? From the videos it seems like it works pretty well. Anyways, I could see many users having 10+ tabs opened and wondering why their iPad is so freaking slow. Easy fix though would just be to limit the number of tabs you can open and stay cached.
Also...they don't have to be small on an iPad. iPhone no way that would be a good idea!
Unfortunately full OS on a tablet has been a poor user experience so far. There have been quite a few people pretty happy about the Asus EP121. A tablet where you can use a Wacom digitizer or your fingers. Looks great, and really usable. Only problem is battery life still sucks
.
Really??? Another troll thread??? Every time something new comes out its always "Its an iPhone/iPad/Macbook/SteveJobs" killer. I'm sorry these threads have zero purpose and as always Apple always stays ahead of the game and always ranks highest in customer satisfaction.
Go play on the android boards.
Not to be pedantic or anything, but "full OS" is not the real problem, the problem is trying to work a traditional GUI directly into tablet form. The concept, in the past, has been to build a tablet onto which you can install all your favorite applications and use them as you might from your desk, albeit, perhaps with a twig instead of a mouse.
Apple simply designed iOS to take advantage of what the iPhone had to offer and gradually expanded it. iOS is still a fully functional OS, Apple just works at keeping your fingers out of its innards or using it to the fullest extent that you might be able. Many of us are hoping that the leash will get longer and looser over time (sooner would be better), but for now, I think Apple wants to reach out to the most averagest to provide them with a stable, secure, simple replacement for the big overpowered computer that was designed for someone other than them.
I agree with what your saying. I guess what I meant to say is, an OS in tablet form that can replace our laptops. I've seen some try to use an iPad as their main computing device, but theres just a "short leash" as you said. I think we're all waiting for the ultimate tablet device from the big tech companies. None of them have succeeded yet imo, but i was just pointing out that the EP121 seems like a huge step in the right direction. As it looks like the first usable tablet with Windows 7 on it.
A better step would have been Win 7 Pro, instead of Home. I wonder what's involved with installing Pro edition on it.
I'm sure Apple would have no problem with you using the more expensive MBA over an iPad.
Believe it or not there are people out there(like me) who prefer Android over iOS because it lets me do whatever I want with MY phone/tablet? When I had my iPhone transferring files to/from computers was a hassle, while with my Evo I simply plug it in and mount the sdcard. Being forced to use iTunes to update/sync the phone is also ridiculous because not everyone has it installed not to mention the fact that the PC version is steaming pile of dung.
Unfortunately full OS on a tablet has been a poor user experience so far. There have been quite a few people pretty happy about the Asus EP121. A tablet where you can use a Wacom digitizer or your fingers. Looks great, and really usable. Only problem is battery life still sucks
Also weighs 2.56 lbs.
VM on solid state storage should be pretty fast. Would love to see page filing.
Charging the customer more
Either or. Doesn't matter. Why have a 2.56lb $1100 Win 7 tablet and not be able to log into the office domain from the office or the road?
It will be interesting to see what the iOS will be like when the iPad has a better chip ( dual core). Question is whether the iPad is going to evolve from inbetween device to laptop replacer. Xoom is not a laptop replacer, no where near it. It is a first gen Honeycomb tablet. Google will keep iterating and improving it, but early adopters will be testers. Advantage Android has that they are learning from Apple and starting with latest tech. iPad is a 10 month old device. iPad 2 will at least have similar processor power. Tegra 2 might be slighter more powerful, but the performance involves more than just the chip itself. The weakest link can wreak the device. Plus, apple has advantage having its own store where people can play with the iPad before buying it. Plus, having a head start allows for mature apps. Android will have a variety of hardware choices running same OS and different skins. You can buy the reliable iPad or decide which hardware company will sport the best android tablet.
What Apple has started, everyone else will continue on. Elegant devices can be created by different companies other than Apple. Widgets may not be a huge huge huge thing, but functionality is needed even for the average Joe. Average people can understand widgets if they are explained to them. Tutorials can be built in to operating systems as well. I think that some new amazing tablets will be coming soon.
Go and ask a non technical person what an iPad is... Then ask them what Android is.
I asked my dad what an Android Xoom is... He said a robot car
That little
on a product says a lot to the average Joe. It says this product will work, it will be simple, it will have access to the app store and it will have the support of a global company.
Can Honeycomb do that?
I asked my dad what an Android Xoom is... He said a robot car
That little
on a product says a lot to the average Joe. It says this product will work, it will be simple, it will have access to the app store and it will have the support of a global company.Can Honeycomb do that?
Now the Galaxy Tab will have company as it sits on retailer shelves collecting dust. Think of all the great landfill all these iPad killers will make.
Somebody wake me up when Apple becomes afraid of a competitor's clone.
Somebody wake me up when Apple becomes afraid of a competitor's clone.