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Why the iPad Still Can't Be A True Mac Replacement
The iPad Can Be a True Mac Alternative - Not Replacement
iPad Problems: What Users Complain About Most And Potential Fixes And Workarounds
Lament For Removable Batteries
Mobile App Dependency High; Varies by Country - Apigee Study
Comeback for 9.7-Inch iPad With Redesign Coming in H2 2013 - Trendforce
OtterBox & AT&T Celebrate The Toughest Case Ever Built with Chicago Blackhawks Alumni
Sorry Apple, Ferrari Is Now The World's Most Powerful Brand
Why the iPad Still Can't Be A True Mac Replacement
Writing for Macworld, Ted Landau asks the rhetorical question: "Now that its possible to maintain an iPad without ever connecting it to a Mac, is it time to dump the Mac altogether?
There are, he says, two sharply opposing answers - one being a resounding "yes" for the many iPad owners already get by with just an iPad. For them, Landau observes, a laptop has always been overkill, all they want being a device that can handle email, Web surfing, and a few related tasks - still a minority, but growing in numbers. And for certian categories of professionals, the iPad is also almost or already there.
However, for most of us yet, the answer is a reluctant "no" says Landau, who owns an iPad and says he would not easily part with it, being its the device that gets more use on a typical day than his MacBook and desktop Mac. But when he needs a Mac, they remain a critical part of his workflow.
He notes that this overlap probably doesn't trouble Apple, especially if it means people wind up buying both a Mac and an iPad. However he notes that there remains a persistent undercurrent of media commentary predicting the Mac's eventual demise at the hands of the iPad. While that may inevitably come to pass, for people like him (and me - Ed.) to even consider giving up their Macs altogether, some fundamental changes to the iPad would be required. At a minimum, says Landau, here's what needs to happen:
• Better external storage and backup options - To wit, 128 GB isn't enough for a primary machine, and with no Mac or PC (or for that matter if your Mac itself only has a 128 GB or 256 GB SSD), what do you back up your iPad to given its lame connectivity? And no, locked-down, restrictive iCloud doesn't come close to being a satisfactory substitute.
• Better support for wired peripherals - iPad external devive and peripheral connectivity is pathetic.
• Better typing capabilities - Landau observes that while the iPad has excellent text processing apps, they all fall short of the capabilities of the ones he uses on the Mac, largely due to the iPad platform's inherent text-handling and editing limitations.
• Multiple windows - Landau says that while some may prefer the simplicity and focus of full-screen mode, he doesn't. Me neither - give me real multitasking - Ed.
Consequently, Landau concludes, the day when the iPad can replace every Mac is still not even on the horizon.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/iHyqS
The iPad Can Be a True Mac Alternative - Not Replacement
Blogger Shawn Blanc disputes Ted Landau's contention that the iPad isn't ready to replace the Mac, arguing that Ted and anyone else who argues that the iPad cannot be a Mac replacement are missing the point.
To wit: The iPad isn't meant to be a Mac replacement, but rather a Mac alternative - and only if you want it to be, and in Blanc's estimation arguing about whether the iPad is a satisfactory Mac replacement or not is a bit like arguing about your favorite color.
He says the reason he chooses to work from his iPad when I can is because he enjoys it. He likes the change of pace that comes with using the iOS, and the challenge (a formidable one - Ed.) of attempting to do the same quality of work on the iPad without all the fancy macros, scripts, and shortcuts he has at his fingertips when on his Mac.
But does Blanc's iPad replace his Mac? No. Is it an alternative work device when he wants it to be? Yup. The iPad is awesome, and the Mac is awesome, too he observes, and the two statements don't have to conflict with one another.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/UgX7V
iPad Problems: What Users Complain About Most And Potential Fixes And Workarounds
DigitalTrends' Simon Hill says that while the iPad may be as close to perfection as you can get in the tablet market, that doesnt mean there aren't flaws and potential issues to overcome. He outlines some common iPad problems and potentially workable solutions.
• Frozen screen
• iPad won't turn on
• iPad won't charge
• iPad wont connect to Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi sync not working
• Running slow
• Cellular data connection dropping
You can check it out at:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-problems/
Lament For Removable Batteries
ZNet's David Gewirtz asks: "Why can't we just use removable batteries?" Gerwitz notes the irony that we're all supposed to be using mobile devices that no longer have full-sized USB jacks - but every mobile device has a USB connector for charging, too often leaving him wondering whether he'll finish a task before the battery charge runs out, and why he can't just carry or go buy replacement batteries to make sure he has power.
He further notes that while rechargability may seem like convenience to users, it's not, especially for example, when the power dies and you can't open the thing up) He also observes that while no one is expected to use PCs anymore in this supposed post-PC world, everyone is supposed to plug in all their post-PC devices into the USB ports of their no-longer-used PCs to charge.
Where's the logic in that? Gewirtz blames it on Apple (with considerable justification - Ed.)
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/UiK0q
Mobile App Dependency High; Varies by Country - Apigee Study
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, Apigee released results of the 2013 Mobile App Behavior survey of smartphone owners across France, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S,, finding that 82% of those surveyed can't go a day without critical apps; 85% admit they would rather give up drinking water than delete all of their mobile apps; nd 18% of French users saying they couldn't order dinner without an app.
Apigee's 2013 Mobile App Behavior survey, conducted online in February by uSamp, queried over 760 smartphone owners across France, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and U.S. The survey, which was aimed at revealing mobile app dependency, behavior and future desires across a variety of countries, found that fully 82% of those surveyed believe there are critical apps they cant go without for even a day, including email (57%), Facebook (41%) and alarm clock apps (31%). Spain ranked as the most app-reliant country with 93% saying they can't go one complete day; with half (50%) of U.S. residents saying they couldnt last just four hours without apps. And the number of apps people say they use each day is significant: 72% say they use as many as 10 apps per day, and 2% in the global survey even claim they use more than 50 apps per day.
But the study also probed deeper at reactions people have when actually confronted with losing the apps they've come to rely on, and many people around the world report basic things they would be unable to do without apps, including:
Check email 48%
Wake up in the morning 32%
Feel happy 23%
Navigate to work 20%
Maintain my relationship 19%
Find dates 13%
Order dinner 12%
Impress people 10%
However, the feeling of app dependency varies globally. Fully 18% of the French say they could not order dinner without an app, while people in America (16%) and the UK (8%) feel more app independent in that area. In Spain 23% say they couldn't find a date without apps, but only 5% of Americans believe they would lose this ability. On giving up apps forever, 85% admit they would actually rather give up drinking water than delete all of their apps, while a further 9% say it would be easier for them to invent a new source of energy than delete all of the apps on their smartphones.
A look at global behavior around the usage of apps revealed variations on opinions of children with smartphones, drivers and mobile platform loyalty.
When asked the age at which its appropriate for a child to receive their first smartphone, 75% say somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16. However, 2% of Germans say a one-year-old child should have a smartphone, 8% of Americans say the right age is 10, and 6% of people in the U.S. and Spain say parents should wait until kids reach the age of 18 before giving them their first smartphone.
Alarmingly, 53% of drivers across the world admit to using apps on their smartphone while behind the wheel. Some countries have made more headway than others at curbing this behavior, but the numbers of respondents saying they do this is consistently high: Germany (64%), France (61%), Spain (56%), U.S. (49%) and UK (30%).
Interestingly, pride emerged as the top reason that people stay with the mobile platform of their choice. Americans emerged as the most proud of their chosen operating system at a surprising 37%. However, overall iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows users say its pride that keeps them from switching (29%), followed by:
• Lack of apps on other platforms 24%
• Lack of desire to learn a new type of phone 23%
• Fear of needing to re-enter all contacts and phone numbers 22%
Looking ahead, the number one app capability that respondents wish they had is remote control of things in the home, such as lights, air conditioning, locks and garage doors (46%), followed by:
• Tracking energy usage in the home 38%
• Remote car start 34%
• Apps that can charge purchases directly to a mobile phone bill 21%
Americans desire for remote control of the home was the strongest at 61%, while Germany and France only clocked in at 34%.
"The findings of the study show that people all over the world are becoming increasingly intertwined with their mobile apps and are demanding more from them," says Chet Kapoor, Apigee CEO. "Apps are becoming transformative to everything we do, but an app is only as good as its APIs. Apigees API platform helps build powerful digital ecosystems that let us all shop, communicate and connect through apps on trillions of mobile devices."
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by uSamp (uSamp.com), the Answer Network, a premier provider of technology and survey respondents used to obtain consumer and business insights. The survey was conducted online in February 2013 on behalf of Apigee and asked 762 respondents across the U.S., UK, Germany, France and Spain to provide insight, preferences and feedback on the subject of mobile apps.
Kapoor will be participating in a keynote address, "Mobile as a Platform for Innovation," at Mobile World Congress this week on Thursday, February 28 at 9:30am.
For more information, visit:
http://www.apigee.com
Comeback for 9.7-Inch iPad With Redesign Coming in H2 2013 - Trendforce
A new report from global market intelligence provider Trendforce notes that the 9.7-inch iPad, which controlled more than 90% of the tablet market two years ago, seems to be losing ground under price-cutting salvos from its rivals and shows none of the Sales Kings luster it did in the old days. Apple's launch of the smaller and very popular 7.85 iPad mini even aggravates the situation for the chubby iPad, further enticing consumers' attention away from it, with its recent sales performance presentng a gloomy outlook. WitsView, the research division of TrendForce, indicates that although the 9.7 iPad is in a defending position but, with the new generation product showcase in Q3, is likely to recover its reputation and regain its faded competitiveness advantages.
According to WitsView's research director Eric Chiou, the 9.7 iPad seems to be hobbling along right now, but if the new iPad's competitiveness is analyzed from four reasonable aspects, including industrial design, product positioning, costs and prices, and market segmentation, the outlook is not pessimistic. Firstly, for the improvement on product design itself, the next generation of iPad will apply the thin GF2 touch module similar to the screen used in the iPad mini along with mini-style narrow bezel panel design to solve the issue of larger volume, thickness, and weight that have been criticized, which should gain a better balance for consumers in mobility and visual experience. Secondly, turning the focus on product positioning, the long-beloved iPad 2 is expected to retire with honor with the release of the next-generation full-size iPad, and Trendforce predicts that without the interference of a lower-priced the product of the same size and similarity of features, the new iPad will more easily achievements-establish its market uniqueness and at the same time diminish factors that confuse consumers' purchase decisions.
Chiou believes that the third point is placed on the costs and prices, as the new iPad will not upgrade screen resolution, and will maintain the current Retina grade spec. of 2048 x 1536, which is not outdated when compared with rival products of the same level. At the same time, it gains effective controls on panel yields and costs, and once the cost advantage is reflected to the selling price, iPad has more opportunity to revive consumers' desire to buy with its more affordable price. The last key point depends on the market segmentation, after the weary bombing of low-priced products one after another, Chiou says the 7-8-inch tablet market leaves only ashes remaining. Contrarily, in the larger 9.7-10.6-inch segment the entry of Android products hasn't resulted in a price war, and the highly- anticipated Microsoft Windows tablets have acheived only poor sales due to several factors such as prices and efficiency. For iPad, as long as the product design and pricing strategy are carried out appropriately, it can easily re gain the right to serve the ball in the Eden of the large-sized tablet market, Chiou contends.
Based on WitsView's estimates, as the small-sized tablets remain mainstream, along with iPad facing its production transition, full-size iPad shipment in H1 2013 will clearly lower than iPad mini while the two hold a ratio of 35% to 65%. However, the situation will change in the second half of the year as the new iPad will modify the competitiveness for the 9.7 product, and shipment proportions between iPad and iPad will come closer to to 50%-50%. WitsView indicates that although the iPad family runs into some turbulence, there is no reason to be pessimistic for this year's shipment performance. It is expected to see an overall shipment volume as high as 82.1 million units, and in addition to the great performance of a 25% annual growth, it will reclaim the half of the brand tablet market.
Via: http://press.dramexchange.com/en/node/5135
OtterBox & AT&T Celebrate The Toughest Case Ever Built with Chicago Blackhawks Alumni
OtterBox and AT&T were joined by Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador and National Hockey League Hall-of-Famer, and Eddie Olczyk, Blackhawks Television Analyst and 16-year National Hockey League veteran, at the AT&T flagship store in the Windy City to celebrate the launch of the OtterBox Armor Series The Toughest Case Ever Built. Cases for the Apple iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5 are now available exclusively at AT&T retail locations, http://ATT.com and http://otterbox.com
"We take testing seriously and ensure every Armor Series case passes a thorough battery of tests. Since we are launching here in Chicago we thought it would be fun to put this case to the test with these hockey legends while further demonstrating its durability, OtterBox Chief Operating Officer Pete Lindgren" said. We're continuing the launch excitement at the Blackhawks game tonight.
The Armor Series case has been tested to protect handheld technology in a variety of extreme environments. It has been tested to perform at(*):
• 6.6 ft. underwater for up to 30 minutes(*)(*)
• 10 ft. drop
• 0 entry of any dust or debris
• 2-ton crush
Waterproof, drop proof, dust proof and crush proof, the Armor Series fuses together four innovative layers to create an unprecedented defense for the Apple devices.
Metal latches lock the two halves of the case together for a waterproof seal. The zinc alloy material resists corrosion and provides long-lasting, simple use. Over-molded bumpers featured on the inside and outside of the Armor Series case provide drop protection and are made with advanced materials that resist deterioration from chemicals and hand oil. A non-permeable membrane and mesh layer over device vents allow sound to pass but nothing else. Precise openings allow for full functionality of all features including the camera and flash.
The exterior is made of high-strength reinforced plastic designed for long-term use and easy cleaning -- the same material used in hammers and industrial tools. The interior includes soft foam for a cushioned, custom fit for the device. Exact measurements and tolerances ensure secure, reliable performance. A built-in screen protector is bonded to the case with similar adhesive used in the automotive industry to replace rivets; it guards against scratches to the glass display and resists smudges and fingerprints.
Port covers open easily for quick access to charging and headphone use without removing the case and a lanyard is included for convenient hands-free carrying.
To learn more about why the OtterBox Armor Series is The Toughest Case Ever Built visit AT&T or:
http://www.otterbox.com/armor-series
Notes:
(*)Results may vary
(*)(*)Case is not waterproof when charging port or headphone jack are in use or port covers are open.
Sorry Apple, Ferrari Is Now The World's Most Powerful Brand
DigitalTrends' Stephen Edelstein says that Apple may be one of the foremost enablers of the tech lifestyle, but its hard to argue with a V12-engined sports car in a discussion of power. Edelstein reports that the analysts at Brand Finance probably werent comparing iPhones to F12 Berlinettas when they compiled their list of the world's most powerful brands, but Ferrari did edge out Apple for the win.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/BN3hY
Incidentally, Apple's Senior Vice President Internet Software Eddy Cue is a member of the Ferrari board of directors. See: http://goo.gl/UbgaZ
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