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Android Overtakes iOS With 53% Market Share In Tablets
Anarchy Hurts BlackBerry, Samsung Maxed Out, Apple Rotting - Tech Expert
Apple Negotiating With Samsung To Supply Retina iPad mini Screens? - Rumor
Apple's Next iPad mini Will Have A Retina display! No It Won't!
Android Tablet Users Unhappiest Among Tablet Users
T3 Reviews Google Nexus 7 (2013)
Wireless Bookey Light Keyboard Shines For iPad mini
Pocket Mariner Launches New Free Boat Watch App
NOAA Tides Deluxe - Most Accurate Tide Prediction App
Barton Associates Launches Healthcare Headlines App for iOS
Small Tablets Drive Big Share Gains For Android
Android Overtakes iOS With 53% Market Share In Tablets
Canalys reports that more than 34 million tablets shipped in Q2 2013, a 43% year-on-year increase. Tablets now account for 31% of worldwide PC shipments, but Apple's performance faltered. Its tablet shipments declined 14% on Q2 2012 and its market share dropped to 43%.
The chasing pack of Samsung, Amazon, Lenovo and Acer each grew annually by over 200%, driven by increasing demand for small-screen tablets. Canalys estimates that 68% of tablets shipped in Q2 had a screen size smaller than 9". "Consumers have been evaluating tablets and the results are now in," says Tim Coulling, Canalys Senior Analyst. "With touchscreens contributing to a high proportion of the build cost of a tablet, smallscreen products can be priced very aggressively.'
Apple's decline in shipments and share has been partly attributed to its aging portfolio, but Canalys believes that new product launches will have less impact on its shipments in future. "When Apple does decide to refresh its iPad range it will not experience the buzz of previous launches," comments Canalys Analyst James Wang. "Tablets are now mainstream products and hardware innovation is increasingly difficult. With branded Android tablets available for less than $150, the PC market has never been so good for consumers, who are voting with their wallets." The move to smaller tablets has sparked a price war that has real consequences for the entire supply chain. These products generate little absolute margin for channel partners, vendors or component manufacturers. Content, applications and accessories (especially cases and keyboards) are now even more important to boost margins - areas where Apple remains a leader.
In addition to disappearing margins, inventory management is emerging as a major challenge, Canalys notes. If a vendor overcommits at the product planning stage, unsold inventory can play havoc with a company's balance sheet, even with other hit products in a portfolio. The market for full-sized tablets has stalled and even Apple has found it harder to sell its larger iPads in recent quarters. "Microsoft's inventory issues with the Surface have been well publicized," says Coulling. "Heavily discounted Surface RTs will fly off the shelves. Expect prices to continue to fall though, as the starting price of $350 is still too expensive to spark an HP TouchPad-style buying frenzy."
Despite its 53% share, Android still lags far behind iOS in the availability of fully-optimized tablet apps, and tablet app downloads from the Apple App Store dwarf those from Google Play. But Android is expected to continue to close the ecosystem lead iOS has in tablets and increase share in coming quarters. "Developers can and will quickly switch their priorities as different opportunities evolve and improve," says Canalys Senior Analyst Tim Shepherd. "We expect to see a substantial increase in the quantity, as well as the quality, of apps built or optimized for Android tablets over the next 12 months, as Google brings more attention to them through improvements to the Play store, and as the addressable base of devices continues to soar."
While it is true that Apple is losing its stranglehold on the tablet market in terms of volume, Canalys thinks it will remain its most profitable vendor for years to come. Apple has already faced a similar battle in the smartphone market, and it now looks increasingly likely that it is readying a product that can address lower price tiers and high-growth markets in that space. If this is indeed the case, Apple could replicate a similar portfolio play in the tablet market. It will be in no rush - after all, the launch of the iPad mini was designed to address this segment. But its hand could be forced if competitors' prices continue to plummet. The margin models in the smartphone and tablet markets are very different. It will still make good margin on a cheaper iPhone but will struggle to do so with a cheaper tablet, and would instead need to rely increasingly on accessory sales and, likely, subsidy from apps and content purchases.
For more information, visit:
http://www.canalys.com/
Anarchy Hurts BlackBerry, Samsung Maxed Out, Apple Rotting - Tech Expert
A series of news stories last week revealed unexpected shakeups in the smartphone industry. BlackBerry, once the top enterprise smartphone provider, has seen its US market share plummet by more than 38 percent in recent years, while Samsung, which has competed aggressively for a piece of Apple’s market share, surpassed their rival for the first time in profits from handset sales last quarter.
Tech expert Karl Volkman of Chicago’s SRV Network, Inc, keeps a close eye on smartphone trends. He says the reversals have to do with the relatively short life cycle of technological breakthroughs. “Device makers always try to be at the forefront of consumer trends,” explains Volkman, “but even when they do manage to take over a niche, like BlackBerry did with the enterprise smartphone, other companies will eventually catch up and level the field. They have to constantly innovate or branch out into new sectors.”
This dynamic can catch suppliers off guard if they haven’t sufficiently reinvested in development and market research. In BlackBerry’s case, says Volkman, executives may have overestimated the loyalty of business users. “BlackBerry’s solid email and security features are no longer exclusive, and businesses are shopping around or introducing bring-your-own-device policies for employee phones. The focus is shifting away from work tasks, which most smartphones can now perform, and towards more consumer-styled devices that people enjoy using.” Coming in behind this trend, BlackBerry may not be able to reposition their brand in time.
Meanwhile Samsung, once primarily an electronics manufacturer for less consumer-driven industries, has researched and marketed extensively to develop a formidable smartphone brand that’s siphoning shares away from the iPhone. Apple was not fully prepared for such a direct challenge, says Volkman. “iPhones and iPads still run on microchip processors supplied by Samsung, which no other company is adequately prepared to manufacture. The two may be competing fiercely in court and at the retail level, but behind the scenes it appears that Apple is struggling to cut ties with its Korean supplier.”
In all, the situation reflects the high stakes of an industry in which companies must possess a deft foresight of consumer trends in order to stay relevant. “Having the right device, with the right mix of features, ready to go to market at the right moment is a very difficult feat,” says Volkman. “For a time, Apple made it look easy, but ultimately we’re seeing that this market waits for no one.”
Karl Volkman is the Chief Technology Officer of SRV Network, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, and an IT Professional with over 30 years of experience.
For more information on SRV Network, Inc., visit:
http://www.srvnetwork.com
Apple Negotiating With Samsung To Supply Retina iPad mini Screens? - Rumor
Apple will likely tap Samsung for high-resolution screens for its next-generation iPad Mini unidentified sources tell the Wall Street Journal reports CNET's Steven Musil, with the mini 2 likely to retain the current form factor with a 7.9-inch screen size, while a selection of colors for the back cover is being considered.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/Lm5qEF
Apple's Next iPad mini Will Have A Retina display! No It Won't!
Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt observes sagely that rushing to stay ahead of the latest Apple product rumor curve is a fool's game, and that Thursday morning's dueling and contradictory headlines on top of Techmeme -- one from Lorraine Luk at the Wall Street Journal and the other from 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman -- regarding whether the next iPad mini will have a Retina display reminded him why he doesn't don't bother with this stuff anymore, and why maybe you needn't either.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/kqKlS4
Android Tablet Users Unhappiest Among Tablet Users
Pixobebo's Kate MacKenzie notes that two new reports out this week seem to contradict the narrative that Android tablets now dominate the market - a 60-day research project concluding that the iPad actually tops Android tablets by a margin of 9 to 1, and a survey indicating that Android tablet users are among the most unhappy customers, in contrast with iPad users, who rate among the happiest and most satisfied tablet users.
Ms. MacKenzie notes that one of the benefits of living in New York is access to the sheer number of people who are willing to engage in survey taking, so first up is the MacKenzie Technology Report(*)(*) which concluded that Android tablets are growing in number but have yet to reach usage levels of Apple's iPad, with
iPads dominating Android-based tablets by a 9 to 1 margin.
The other report, funded by Brooklyn-based WGKM Surveys##, interviewed New Yorkers who owned tablets, and gathered both usage data and satisfaction information. While the sample was smaller than the aforementioned MTR survey, WGKM came to a similar conclusion based on personal interviews: iPads dominated Android-based tablets by a more than 9 to 1 margin, and researchers found a large percentage of buyer's remorse among Android-based tablet owners, with users citing crummy battery life, poor screen quality, loose fitting plastic cases which broke easily, a lack of suitable accessories, performance and connectivity issues, and a limited number of applications.
(*)(*)MacKenzie Technology Report (Kate MacKenzie checking web server usage logs for the period noted above).
## WGKM Surveys of New York (Wil Gomez, Ms. MacKenzie's fiance, and herself) WGKM interviewed dozens of New Yorker's with tablets over two weeks in July, 2013).
See? - she says: "Anyone can do research and make up a report that says whatever they want it to say."
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/KAK2l1
T3 Reviews Google Nexus 7 (2013)
T3's Mark Prigg observes that with the highest resolution screen ever seen on a 7-inch tablet, the Google's new Nexus 7 is the best Android tablet ever made, but can it take on the iPad?
Prigg loves the Nexus 7's excellent, jaw-dropping, 1920x1200 screen, easy one-handed use, and light weight; not so much the lack of tablet-optimised apps, that the Nexus is fussy over charging, and Android is still not optimised
He declares the Nexus 7 to be without doubt the best non-Apple tablet on the market, with speed, screen quality and attention to detail head and shoulders above the rest, and nipping at Apple in terms of design and feel - the most impressive Android tablet to date - as well as being a superb entertainment device, but still slightly crippled by a lack of decent killer apps.
For the full review visit here:
http://www.t3.com/features/nexus-7-vs-ipad-mini
Wireless Bookey Light Keyboard Shines For iPad mini
Equipped with LED light shining brightly in the dark, the Bookey Light wireless keyboard for iPad mini enables users to confirm the position of keys for character input in the dark.
The light is activatd by pressing twice the "light" button or simply pressing the keyboard "light key" and can also be adjusted in two stages of brightness. You can also switch freely to any one of "Blue", "Green", "Red", "Emerald", "purple", "Green Light" and "Pale Blue" - seven alternate colors - by pressing the top and bottom of the keyboard arrow key while holding down the "light key".
Designed to fit the size and shape of the iPad mini, the wireless keyboard Bookey Light shining for iPad mini" holds the device in the slit of the keyboard with just a Blurtooth wireless connection, and can also be used with the iPhone 5.
Wireless keyboard Bookey Light shining iPad mini also used a magnet to put the iPad to sleep in the same way as Apple's Smart Cover. The LCD screen turns on automatically when you open the keyboard. When closed, the keyboard case assumes the form factor of a small laptop,
The wireless keyboard Bookey Light shining for iPad mini supports Fn (function) keys including special key thirteen. You can also adjust screen brightness and audio volume from the keyboard.
Copy "cmd (command) + C" and paste "cmd (command) + V" ialong with other Mac-style keyboard shortcuts are supported.
The keyboard is charged by connecting to a USB port on the PC using the USB charging cable supplied, or you can use a USB AC adapter (sold separately) to charge from a wall. A red LED lamp turns off when charging is complete.
Specifications:
Warranty- 3 months from the arrival to the product
Size (Without rubber feet) about side 201mm depth 139mm thickness 8mm
Weight About 227g
Key arrangement- English array
Number of keys - 59 key
Key pitch - 15mm
Key specification - Pantograph
Keystroke- 2.0 0.5mm
Special keys - Home, brightness DOWN, brightness UP, slide show, search, keyboard switch, rewind, play / pause, fast forward, mute, volume DOWN, volume UP, lock
Connection method - Bluetooth 3.0
Power- Lithium-ion polymer (Li-Polymer) 280mAh
Charging method - Charging from the USB port of a PC
Continuous operation time - (Operating time will change the environment, by using) about 100 hours at the maximum
Standby time- (Wait time varies use environment, by using) about 1000 hours at the maximum
Compatible models
iPad mini
iPhone5
iOS 5.0 or higher is required (iOS 6.1.4 confirmed operation)
Wireless keyboard Bookey Light shining for iPad mini direct sales price 4,980 yen (tax included)
Shipping is projected for mid-August. Pre-orders accepted.
For more information, visit:
http://goo.gl/8rULxa
Pocket Mariner Launches New Free Boat Watch App
Wales, United Kingdom based Pocket Mariner, developer of nautical apps for boating enthusiasts, has launched its newest app, Boat Watch. With Boat Watch on an iPhone, iPad or iPod, sailors can spot boats and ships and follow them on a real-time, high-definition map regardless of their location.
A unique feature to Boat Watch is an automatic alert for users when a ship they are tracking launches from or arrives at port. This feature, available through an optional add-on purchase (US$2.99), is ideal for people with loved ones at sea, for tracking ferries and rescue vessels, or following cargo across the world.
"A great use of this feature is tracking a favorite local lifeboat or Coast Guard ship," said Steve Bennett, CEO of Pocket Mariner. "By marking a vessel as a favorite, you'll get automatic alerts when it launches and then follow its mission live on Boat Watch. I have actually used it to track a lifeboat and seen it rescue a man overboard, which was really exciting."
Two other features unique to Boat Watch are its fully-gimballed compass mode, enabling boaters to ensure they are looking in the right direction to spot or identify boats and ships and its support for AIS Search and Rescue Transponders (SART), showing their location and emergency message.
The free Boat Watch app enables any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch user to:
(*) Spot any boat or ship via real-time AIS
(*) See the Name, Type and Destination of each vessel
(*) Set any boat as a "Favorite," and automatically track it on the map
(*) Search and find boats and places
(*) Share boats on Facebook, Twitter or by email
For users of Pocket Mariner's Boat Beacon app, Boat Watch enables friends and family of the user to follow their voyages on their own devices.
Boat Watch is a Universal app, which works on iPhone, iPod and iPad.
Device Requirements:
(*) iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
(*) Requires iOS 6.1 or later
(*) This app is optimized for iPhone 5
(*) 15.6 MB
Boat Watch 1.0 is Free and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Travel category.
Boat Watch 1.0:
http://www.pocketmariner.com
Download from iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/boat-watch/id669023760
Twitter Profile:
http://twitter.com/pocketmariner
Trackback URL:
http://goo.gl/kDCUKD
NOAA Tides Deluxe - Most Accurate Tide Prediction App
Lifeware Solutions has announced an innovative and unique tide prediction application called NOAA Tides Deluxe. NOAA Tides Deluxe is the only application in App Store which shows tides, wind and buoy information combined with augmented reality. Tide/wind data are collected from both NOAA National Data Buoy Center and NOAA Sensor Observational Sensor Data. Tides predictions are obtained from NOAA Sensor Observational Sensor Data.
Designed With Passion:
(*) NOAA Tides Deluxe was completely redesigned to be compatible with iOS 7 modern look
(*) The application includes 2 themes: Blue Marine and Modern White. Themes can be selected in options
(*) Select one of 31 magnificent background images
(*) Sensor-aware background (similar to "live wallpapers")
(*) Sensor-aware buttons (can be turned off in options)
(*) Sounds (can be turned off in options)
Main Screen:
(*) Swipe left and right to change background image
(*) Swipe left and right at the bottom part of the screen to change data view (water level, wind and tide chart)
(*) Swipe up the panels to expand data view on a full screen
(*) Collapse data view and swipe down to REFRESH data
(*) Tap on date to open calendar
3D Augmented Reality (Camera View):
(*) Don't get lost with augmented reality and GPS navigation. Tag, find and track multiple locations. Track buoys locations in real time
Map:
(*) View buoys near you with customizable search radius
(*) View your current position on the built in map view, with standard, satellite, and hybrid modes, compass rose, and bearings
(*) View all tide stations plotted on a map for easy browsing and selection
(*) View what is outside the borders with original mars around the map
(*) Add your labels (marks) on the map and track them on augmented reality screen
Compass:
(*) Track the position of buoys and labels on a radar-like compass view
Bouy List:
(*) Search for buoys by name or station ID
(*) Add tide stations to 'favorites list' with one simple touch
(*) Offline viewing of tide events & tide graph enabled for all favorite stations
Calendar:
(*) Shows tide data for a whole month (if available)
(*) Shows highest tides of a month & lowest tides of a month
(*) Shows simple tide chart for any day (swipe left or right at the top of calendar)
(*) Quickly shift from month to month to watch the tide change
(*) Shows Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise and Moonset times
Requirements:
(*) Application requires internet connection to get data from NOAA services
(*) Application requires GPS to get your current location for astronomical calculations, map, compass and augmented reality
(*) Application requires compass for map, compass and augmented reality
(*) Compass is very sensitive to electromagnetic fields from any electronic devices
Unique Features:
(*) Augmented reality for real-time buoy and custom label tracking
(*) Tracking labels around the map
(*) Sensor-aware buttons
(*) Expandable main screen data view
(*) iOS7 lightweight UI theme
Device Requirements:
(*) iPhone, iPod touch
(*) Requires iOS 6.0 or later
(*) 12.5 MB
NOAA Tides Deluxe 1.0 is $0.99 USD for a limited time. NOAA Tides Deluxe is available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Weather category.
Lifeware Solutions:
http://www.lifewaresolutions.com/
NOAA Tides Deluxe 1.0:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/noaa-tides-deluxe/id680020088
YouTube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?vWLZTHJb6E
Trackback URL:
http://goo.gl/XGyyhx
Barton Associates Launches Healthcare Headlines App for iOS
Barton Associates, a national locum tenens physician and nurse practitioner staffing and recruiting company, has announced the release of Barton Healthcare Headlines, a free mobile app now available in the Apple App Store for use on Apple devices, including iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Barton Associates is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with additional national healthcare staffing centers in Hardwick, Massachusetts, Enfield, Connecticut, and Jupiter, Florida.
The Barton Healthcare Headlines app allows users to select from a collection of more than 75 top healthcare news sources and blogs and create a custom news feed. The news sources have been categorized according to specialty to make it easy for users to select the sources that are relevant to them.
The application also includes a jobs feed that is updated daily with the latest locum tenens physician and nurse practitioner jobs available through Barton Associates. Users can filter the jobs feed according to specialty and even express interest in a position within the application.
The Barton Healthcare Headlines app also features a comprehensive share functionality that allows users to share articles, blog posts, and jobs with friends and colleagues through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and email. The app also allows users to save articles and jobs for later viewing.
"Staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the rapidly changing healthcare landscape is critical for our providers and clientsand doing so is becoming increasingly challenging, in light of the plethora of medical news sources available. The Barton Healthcare Headlines app puts more than 75 high-quality healthcare news sources at our users' fingertips. Keeping up with healthcare news and trends has never been easier," says Jason Daeffler, Marketing Director, Barton Associates.
Barton Associates expects to launch a Google Android version of the Barton Healthcare Headlines app in Q3 of 2013.
For more information, visit:
http://www.bartonassociates.com
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