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News, Reviews, & Opinion
Tablets Are for People Who Hate Computers
Tech Republic's Jason Hiner says that while tablets may be stealing
some of the thunder from traditional PC sales, that doesn't mean
they're for everyone, and if you're already proficient with a PC, you
may be disappointed by a tablet.
Hiner says that after working with the iPad since it launched last
year, and most of the competitor tablets month after month, he's come
to a bit of a sobering conclusion: If you're already highly-proficient
with a computer, you're probably going to end up pretty frustrated with
most of these tablets.
Consequently, he's come up with a new rule for technophiles thinking
about which tablet to buy: "Tablets are for people who hate
computers."
He also observes that tablets like the iPad are also great for
children, but that if you've refined a way of doing things on a PC or
Mac that enables you to speed through your most important tasks, then
you'll probably be frustrated that a tablet can't do a lot of the
things you're used to doing with a computer, or at least can't do them
fast enough.
Hiner says that with every tablet that he's tried to use for an
extended period in place of a laptop he gets frustrated because it's
slow, clunky, or impossible to do what he wants to do, and he always
ends up wanting to put the tablet down and pick up a laptop to speed
through the task, concluding that the only real advantage that tablets
have is that they are a lot easier to learn how to use and there aren't
as many ways for people to mess them up.
Editor's note: Hiner's observations mirror my own after seven weeks
of iPad 2 ownership. The iPad can be cool within its narrowly
circumscribed limitations, but I find it massively frustrating when
attempting to do anything approximating real work efficiently, and I go
scurrying back to my fleet of laptops after a few minutes of that.
cm
Link: Tablets Are for
People Who Hate Computers
Apple Captures 61% of Global Tablet Shipments in Q2
2011
PR: According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics,
global tablet shipments reached 15 million units in the second quarter
of 2011. Apple maintained first position with 61% share, drifting from
94% a year earlier.
Peter King, Director at Strategy Analytics, says,
"Global tablet shipments reached 15.1 million units in Q2 2011, surging
331% from 3.5 million in Q2 2010. Consumer and business demand for
touchscreen computers remains high. Apple shipped a record 9.3 million
iPads and registered a healthy 61% global tablet market share during
the second quarter of 2011. However, Apple has drifted down from 94%
share in Q2 2010 due to a rising number of competing software
platforms."
Neil Mawston, also a Director at Strategy Analytics, adds, "Android
captured 30% share of global tablet shipments in Q2 2011. Multiple
Android models distributed across multiple countries by multiple brands
such as Samsung, Acer, Asus, Motorola and others are driving volumes.
However, no Android vendor yet offers a blockbuster model to rival the
iPad, and demand for many Android vendors' products remains patchy. If
Amazon decides to enter the Android tablet category later this year,
that will bring fresh excitement and buzz to the Android community, but
Amazon will need to deliver a truly standout offering if it really
wants to make headway against the popular iPad."
Shipments refer to sell-in. Numbers are rounded. The definition of
tablet does not include ebook readers.
Other findings from the research include:
- Microsoft captured a niche 5% global tablet share in Q2 2011,
leveraging Windows 7 through partners such as Fujitsu;
- RIM and its QNX platform captured 3% global tablet share in Q2
2011. The first-generation PlayBook model experienced a lackluster
launch due to product design issues surrounding native email
support.
The full report, Global Tablet OS Market Share: Q2 2011, is
published by the Strategy Analytics Tablet & Touchscreen (TTS)
service.
Link: Tablet &
Touchscreen Strategies
Heavy iPad Adoption Drives Mobile Device
Deployments in Enterprise
PR: Good Technology, a provider of secure and managed
enterprise mobility for iPhone, iPad, Android, and other leading
smartphone platforms, has released its quarterly data report detailing
the changing landscape of IT and mobile enterprise technology. The
trend of personal smartphones and tablets infiltrating the workplace is
being led by both Apple's iOS and Google's Android smartphone
platforms, but in Q2 of 2011, iOS extended its rally from Q1,
increasing in that time from just under 70% to just under eighty
percent of total device activations. For the first time ever, Q2 also
saw more iOS tablet (iPad and iPad 2) activations than the total amount
of Android smartphones activated in the same period.
"In the second quarter of 2011, the most striking thing is Good's
users activated more iPad tablets than Android smartphones and tablets
combined," says John Herrema, senior vice president of corporate
strategy at Good Technology. "While Android may be gaining smartphone
market share with consumers, our business users are clearly gravitating
to the iPad and doing so in large numbers. This is especially true in
the Financial Services sector, which drove nearly half of all Good's
iPad activations over the quarter."
Key Data Points
- While Android continues to gain market share overall, Good's
enterprise end users are showing clear preference for Apple
products
- iOS tablet (iPad + iPad 2) share of overall net activations
outnumbered Android Smartphone activations for the first time - 27.2%
to 24% respectively
- Among the top 10 industry verticals, financial services continued
to see the highest level of iPad activation, accounting for nearly half
of net iPad activations by industry (46%)more than tripling the amount
of activation in any other industry
- iOS tablets represent over 95% of total tablet activations
- Android tablets declined slightly to 3.1% of overall tablet
activations for the quarter
- Android smartphones represented nearly 33% of all smartphone (non
tablet) activations compared to iPhone's 66%, despite Android's overall
market share growth
- This quarter shows the impact of the iPad 2, which was released at
the end of last quarter and did not have sufficient time in market to
impact overall Q1 trends
Findings
Good Technology's Q2 2011 metrics report takes a look
at the mobile devices activated by Good Technology's enterprise
customers over the second quarter of 2011. Due, among other things, to
the strength of having multiple SKUs available at multiple price points
and compatibility with the top two US carriers, Apple's iOS platform
dominated with 78.7% of net activations, while Android accounted for
21.3%.
Executive Summary Excerpt
Tablet adoption continued to grow over Q2 with
tablets averaging 27% of all device activations, driven by substantial
adoption of the iPad 2. In fact, there were more activations of the
iPad over the quarter than all Android smartphones and tablets
combined. Motorola Xoom was the most popular Android tablet and the
Motorola Droid 2 Global was the most highly activated Android
smartphone.
Key Data Points
While Android continues to gain market share overall,
Good's enterprise end users are showing clear preference for Apple
products' iOS tablet (iPad + iPad 2) share of overall net activations
outnumbered Android Smartphone activations for the first time 27.2% to
24%, respectively.
In Figure 1, we see that devices based on Apple's
iOS platform drove the majority of activations for the period from
April 1 through June 30, 2011. The iPhone 4 was the most popular
device, with a steadily growing activation rate averaging 22% for the
quarter. The iPad 2 also witnessed
strong growth, positioning it as the number two device for enterprise
activations, averaging 16% of all activations. The Verizon iPhone 4
held strong at just under 11% of activations, and the Top 5 was rounded
out by other iOS devices, the iPhone 3GS and iPad. The rest of the top
ten devices each represented just under 2% of activations and included
the Android Motorola Droid2 Global, Motorola Droid X, HTC Evo 4G, HTC
Incredible HD devices, and the iOS iPhone 3G.
Since Good Technology began issuing its quarterly reports in October
2010, Apple devices have driven the majority of Good's enterprise
activations. While Android devices began to close that gap towards the
end of Q4 2010, Apple's domination of the rapidly growing tablet market
and the introduction of the Verizon iPhone 4 have reestablished iOS as
the dominant platform among Good's users.
In Q2 of 2011 iPhone represented a solid 2/3 of all smartphone
activations while Android smartphones represented 1/3 of all
activations. When tablets and smartphones are included in this
breakdown, iOS drove 75% of all activations, with Android at 25% for
the quarter. Together iPad 2 and iPad activations outnumbered all
Android device activations as Good customers heavily deployed the iPad
2 tablet to their workforces in Q2 after its initial release in March.
With new devices from Apple expected in Q3 2011, we expect iOS to
finish the year as strong as it started. While we previously predicted
that Android activations would overtake iPhone activations in the
smartphone category in 2011, we no longer predict that will happen this
year, given Apple's recent and planned product releases.
Link: Good Technology
Device Activations Report, Q2 2011 (PDF)
3 Cheap 15" Laptops for the Price of One
Tablet
The Street's Jonathan Blum observes that when the Apple or Research
in Motion spinmeisters dreamed up the notion of low-cost tablet
computers, he seriously doubts they expected their brainchild would not
just be pricier than a normal notebook, but a lot pricier.
However, Blum invites us to do the math. While the base WiFi iPad 2
starts at $499, true ready-for-business tablets (by which he means ones
with 3G and lots of storage capacity) such as the 64 GB Verizon WiFi
and 3G iPad can top $800 - and that's before the cover, the keyboard,
and the $30 spare charger.
Meanwhile, he notes, over at Fry's electronics superstore, there's a
nice online service to help your chances of finding a $300 Toshiba
Satellite 15.6" notebook in stock somewhere, and these days, with just
a bit of effort, a perfectly solid business-ready portable computer can
be had for way less than $400, so his inner cheapskate wondered: "How
many legitimate work PCs can I get for what I would spend on a $1,000
tablet?"
Three, as it turned out, if you go a measly $7 over budget.
- refurbished Compaq 15.6" Presario, "snoringly slow" 2.2 GHz
single-core Celeron 900, 2 GB RAM ($278 from Walmart.com)
- close-out Toshiba Satellite 15.6", 2.13 GHz dual-core Pentium
P6200, 3 GB RAM ($300 at Fry's - in-store only)
- Lenovo 15.6" ThinkPad SL510, 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM ($429 at
TigerDirect)
Publisher's note: For $1,000 ($171 more than the top-end iPad), you
could supply 20 employees with an iPhone 3GS or two 16 GB WiFi iPad 2s,
for that matter. Or you could pick up a pair of Core 2 Duo MacBooks. Or
the new "twice as powerful" 11.6" MacBook Air. Or several "snoringly
slow" G4 PowerBooks. In other words, you have lots of alternatives to
buying a top-end iPad - but are any of them going to give you the same
convenience away from a work surface? dk
Link: 3 Cheap PCs for
the Price of One Tablet
Apps & Services
Dragon Remote Microphone App Turns Your iDevice
into a Wireless Mic for Dictation
PR: The Dragon Remote Microphone app turns the iPhone
into a wireless microphone, making it easier and more comfortable for
individuals to use their Dragon Desktop software. Instead of using the
microphone that comes in the retail box, users can now opt to use their
iPhone as a microphone instead.
This app can be used with Dragon NaturallySpeaking for the PC (v11.5
and higher) and Dragon Dictate for the Mac (V2.5 and higher) - see this
week's Mac News Review for info on Dragon Dictate for the
Mac.
The app requires a WiFi connection to the PC running the appropriate
version of Dragon software.
System requirements:
- Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
- Requires iOS 4.2 or later.
Link: Dragon
Remote Microphone (iOS
App Store link)
Accessories
iPhone Repair ScrewMat Now Available at iFixit for
Do It Yourself iPhone Repair
PR:
ScrewMat, the illustrated magnetic mat used for iPhone repair by
independent iPhone repair shops across the country, is now available to
Do-It-Yourself repair enthusiasts at iFixit.com.
"The ScrewMat is an innovative product that takes the guesswork out
of reassembly. Its so simple and clever, a great addition to any phone
techs toolbox," says Eric Essen, Tool Guru at iFixit.com.
Alex Iser, the founder and inventor of the patent pending ScrewMat
illustrated magnetic replacement guide adds, "We are extremely happy to
welcome iFixit to our growing line of distribution partners and look
forward to providing a great product for the Do-It-Yourself
community."
ScrewMats are available at iFixit for all iPhone models. ScrewMats
provide an easy to follow reference guide while magnetically holding
screws and small parts during the disassembly and assembly.
ScrewMat is perfect for the Do-It-Yourself repair enthusiast, as it
provides a simple and straightforward way to keep track of all of tiny
screws and parts that often become elusive during the repair process,
said Iser.
There are separate versions for the iPhone 4 (AT&T), iPhone 4
(Verizon), iPhone 3G/3GS, and 4G iPod touch.
Link: ScrewMat
Link: iFixit
Edge/Table Mount for iPad/Tablet
Computer
PR: This mount allows you to mount to a flat edge thickness
of 10~50mm. It allows you to keep your iPad (or other tablet) always in
sight and in a place that you will never get blocked.
It also allows you to adjust your iPad in any angle, and accepts
devices from 5" to 10.1".
Features:
- Keep you iPad (or other tablet) in sight
- Keep your desk neat and tidy.
- Allows tilt and swivel in all directions
Easy to insert and remove iPad from plastic holder- Easy to assemble, easy to store
This accessory is suitable for:
- Apple iPad 1, iPad 2
- UMPC
- eee PC (Netbook)
- Samsung Galaxy P1000 Tab 17"
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9"
- Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1
- Motorola Xoom MZ601
- Motorola Xoom MX604
- Motorola Xoom MZ600
- LG Optimus 3D P920
- HP Touch Pad
- Blackberry PlayBook LTE
- Blackberry PlayBook
Specifications:
- Device weight (Loading): <=1 Kg
- Device's dimensions: 5 inches ~ 10.1 inches.(or adjustable between
13cm ~ 26cm)
Note:
- Only ships to: USA, Canada, Australia, West and North Europe
(Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Swissland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, UK, Ireland),
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan ROC, Korea,
Japan). For other countries, we reserve the right not to ship or you
may need to pay extra shipping costs for that.
- only ships to PayPal address
- Ships in 7 ~ 10 days.
- All the items will be checked before shipping out.
$75.99
Link: Edge/Table Mount
for iPad/Tablet/Pad Computer
Glass Floor Stand for iPad/Tablet Computers
PR: This iPad (or Tablet PC) Stand Prop is a
support bracket that can make iPad use more comfortable and more
flexible. It can free users' hands from holding a tablet PC & iPad
all the time and let you enjoy using the iPad (or tablet PC) in a more
comfortable way in studios, living rooms, balconies, or bedrooms, you
can use your iPad in a more free and relaxed way.
The stand prop is 360° rotatable, and the bracket part is made
of metal so it is extremely durable. You can move it to any place you
want, such as drawing room, balcony, or bedroom and so on. The stand
prop can lengthen, and the full rotation part adopts high-strength
spring, which let you use your computer at ease. The prop holders are
four small rubber sponges which can avoid nicking your iPad.
Features:
- The floor stand is made of durable glass - as a part of your living
environment.
- Allows tilt and swivel in all directions
- Large range of height adjustment (from 0.17m to 1.5m)
- Heavy duty base lets it stand reliably and easily
- East to insert and remove iPad from plastic holder
- Easy to assemble, easy to store
This accessory is suitable for:
- Apple iPad 1, iPad 2
- UMPC
- eee PC (Netbook)
- Samsung Galaxy P1000 Tab 17"
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9"
- Samsung Galaxy P7100 Tab 10.1
- Motorola Xoom MZ601
- Motorola Xoom MX604
- Motorola Xoom MZ600
- LG Optimus 3D P920
- HP Touch Pad
- Blackberry PlayBook LTE
- Blackberry PlayBook
Specifications:
- Device weight (Loading): <= 1 Kg
- Device's thickness: 5mm ~ 19mm
- Device's dimensions: 5 inches ~ 10.1 inches.(or adjustable between
13cm ~ 26cm)
Note:
- Gross Weight: 4.9 KG
- Only ships to: USA, Canada, Australia, West and North Europe
(Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Swissland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, UK, Ireland),
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan ROC, Korea,
Japan). For other countries, we reserve the right not to ship or you
may need to pay extra shipping costs for that.
- only ships to PayPal address
- Ships in 7 ~ 10 days.
- All the items will be checked before shipping out.
Product Code#:UFAA002396
$139.99
Link: Glass Floor Stand
for iPad 1 & 2/Table PC/Pad Computers
Presentation & Protection
Power Case for iPad with 2 Powered USB Ports
PR: A perfect solution to protect your iPad and
double its use time.
It comes a PVC case and a built-in 11000mah battery, what you need
to do is put the iPad into the case and connect a cable to your iPad,
then you can double the use time for your iPad.
Features:
- A Protective Leather Case for your iPad
- A stand case for your iPad (1 step only)
- An extreme external battery for your iPad
- Super High Capacity - 11000 mAh, double the use time of your
iPad
- with 2 additional USB ports for charging your iPhone, iPod
- with additional connector tip for charging your mobile phone (e.g.
Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson)
- Multiple protection for temperature, over current, over charges,
over discharge, short-circuited
- Smart LED to show the battery status
This case is suitable for:
- iPad WiFi
- 3G iPad
- iPad 2 WiFi
- 3G iPad 2
Specifications:
- Capacity: 11,000 mAh at 3.7V (41Wh)
- Input: 2000 mA, 5V
- Output: 1500 mA, 5V
- Size: 233 x 135 x 6.2mm
Accessories included:
- Retractable USB A male - USB Micro Male for charging Micro USB
devices x 1
- Sony Ericsson Connector Tip x 1
- Nokia 2.06mm Connector x 1
- Nokia 3.5mm connector x 1
- Samsung Mobilephone's connector x 1
- iPhone / iPad / iPod's 30 pin dock connector x 1
- Mini USB 5 pin connector x 1
Note: This is not made of Genuine Leather.
$68.99
Link: Power Case for
iPad with 2 USB Power Ports
kiBORG iPad 2 Bluetooth Keyboard
PR: iPad 2 accessory provider SW-Box Co. Ltd. has just
released kiBORG iPad 2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard made from aircraft
grade aluminum. With the slogan Making Perfect More Perfect, the
release of this kiBORG was quite a big event for the company. The
kiBORG is offered at $48.52.
The kiBORG iPad 2 Wireless Keyboard Bluetooth Case is thin and light
- its chassis constructed from aircraft grade aluminum with a bead
blasted finish for borg baby bottom brilliance, and it features an
innovative hinge so you can position your iPad 2 in portrait or
landscape mode.
Besides the aircraft grade aluminum, the keys are worth note,
claimed to be responsive and springy with just the right amount of
spring tension. Kind of like the key tension from the keyboards that we
used to use on the first generation IBM PC back in the day.
With a built-in Lithium ION battery, kiBORG features a standby time
of several weeks. The iPad 2 sits firmly on this matte silverite
Bluetooth keyboard. Multiple function keys are arranged strategically -
kiBORG has done all it can to be user-friendly.
Function Keys
- Return to the home screen
- Display your photo collection
- Change languages
- Hide screen
- Select all
- Copy
- Paste
- Cut
- Select the previous audio track
- Play current playlist (loaded with cool tunes like Nas - Take it in
Blood)
- Select the next audio track
- Mute
- Volume adjust
- Screen lock
Secure pairing: kiBORG will generate a random sequence of numbers to
be displayed on your iPad 2 screen. Enter the numbers on the keyboard
and then the connection is complete.
SW-Box says its professional customer service team are on standby to
field enquiries regarding this Bluetooth keyboard case, while quality
control and delivery teams are busily preparing its shipment.
$48.52
Link:
kiBORG iPad 2 Wireless Keyboard Bluetooth Case
ZAGGfolio Multifunction Bluetooth Keyboard Case
for iPad 2
PR: Zagg
Inc. has introduced their latest all-in-one accessory for iPad 2, the
ZAGGfolio. Zagg Inc. designs, markets and distributes innovative mobile
device accessories, including the popular invisibleSHIELD, ZAGGskins,
ZAGGbuds and ZAGGsparq brands. Zagg also recently acquired iFrogz, a
growing company that develops and markets mobile device cases and audio
products.
Featuring a carbon fiber textured design and a durable microfiber
lining, the ZAGGfolio is a thin multifunction carrying case with
removable Bluetooth keyboard for Apple iPad 2. The intuitive, built-in
stand of the ZAGGfolio has no moving parts and holds iPad 2 securely in
either profile or landscape orientation. Island-style keys provide
maximum typing room, while special function keys operate convenient
shortcut features directly from the keyboard.
"We are very excited about the flexibility and ease of use our
ZAGGfolio provides for users of iPad 2. It is the perfect functional
accessory for on-the-go use," says Derek Smith, vice president of sales
and marketing for Zagg. "Our ZAGGmate changed the perception of
everything a functional accessory can offer tablet users, and we
believe the ZAGGfolio can have that same impact."
The ZAGGfolio is available for $99.99 at ZAGG's online store and at
selected retailers.
Link: ZAGGfolio
