HP Moving Focus To Tablets – Others Will Follow Giving the PC Market to Apple

It’s interesting that HP is finally getting into the tablet market.  It’s latest tablet entry into the market is an uninspiring Android tablet for a decent $170.  I think they finally figured how what they need to do and it could come from Tim Cook himself.  If the tablet market is going to cannibalize the PC market, you best do it yourself or someone else will do it for you.

Having said that, as more and more users move from Windows-based PC to likely iOS and Android tablets, who will have the remaining PC market?  It’s likely all the main PC guys will have some kind of laptops running Windows but most who truly need a PC may opt for a Mac.  Should that momentum carry, don’t be surprised if Apple ends up owning the PC market in a few years.

Don’t think so?  Consider that in five years, the tablet will be vastly different.  In fact, they may look more like Microsoft’s Surface Pro – a tablet will more robust features that one used to only be able to find on a laptop.  Not all but enough that people will buy tablets instead – for office work or gaming.

That leaves the more specialized markets to the PCs.  Probably higher end PCs where Apple is sitting.

Mobile: Built-In Batteries Equal More Money For Device Makers

When Apple first made its iPods and then iPhones and iPads not user-friendly in terms of allowing us to change out the batteries, it was for look and feel of the designs.  Some what annoying but I understand why.  Also, not that many people like carry around an extra battery in their pockets.

But now, more and more of Apple’s competitors are doing the same thing except maybe for Samsung.  But why?  The same reason as Apple – design?

Maybe.

However, I have another theory:  battery cases.  They go from around $99 and up.  Meanwhile, you can buy a battery for the Galaxy S 3 for $40 from the carries or as low as $11 on Amazon.  Heck, the GS3, which has an user-replaceable battery, has a battery case as well for $99.

The last time I went out with a bunch of friends, there were plenty of iPhones about.  Half of us had battery cases.  Even if just 25% of the iPhone users also use a battery case, that's a lot of licensing money for Apple.

So, if these top device makers like Google, LG, or Sony license their names and allow for the production of battery cases and charge for more for it, it would provide an additional revenue stream.

Right now, what’s one feature of mobile devices that everyone universally complain about?  Battery life.

With Every High End Android At 1080p, Apple Cannot Afford Not To Outdo Competitors

Source:  On Apple.

Others and myself have laid out how Apple can deal with the increase in screen sizes and resolutions it has faced from competitors.  The iPhone 5 is definitely the top selling mobile computing device in the world but it's still looked up on as a phone.  Devices from Samsung, Sony, and LG with their 5+ inch 1080p screens, initially laughed at by pundits and doubters have picked up in sales and momentum largely because mobile warriors now use their smartphones as actually mobile computing devices rather than a phone as its primary function.

Having some time to think about it, I can't think of a scenario and justification from Apple or its defenders for it not to release a 5" iPhone or whatever you wanna call it and not retain a Retina Display capability of at least 326 dpi or just a bit less (because you can  hold the a 5" screen further).  Many have argued that Apple can keep the resolution of a possible 5" iPhone the same as the iPhone 5 resolution, 1136x640, and still have the same 264 DPI as the iPad.

If Apple does go this route, it will be a test of its brand power in the face of a powerful mobile momentum where its top competitors will have better technology than Apple.

Otherwise, Apple better make up for that with some pretty awesome features and improvements to iOS. Siri with a deeper sexier voice?

Abandoning Android: Samsung Folding Bada Into Tizen (Which Has Intel’s Support) - Opening for Apple?

So Samsung is phasing out Bada and folding it into Tizen.

Kinda saw this coming.  Who didn’t?  Bada hasn’t been lighting the mobile world on fire and Tizen seems more promising given Intel’s into it as well.  2014 Is going to be a big year for Samsung as we’ll see more how it’ll go about switching from Android to its own OS.  I’m sure Samsung will always making Android devices to some extent. If Samsung is fully committed, this will be a multi-year transition.

But Samsung has to publicly make a declaration.  Otherwise, Samsung fans won’t bite and they’ll stick with Google as the safer choice.

Meanwhile, Google already has shown that it will make a move into the hardware business.  This is now an opportunity for it to take the high-end device mantle from the Galaxy brand.

This is an opportunity for Apple. iOS has had issues with perception of late.  For some reason, Apple’s devices are being perceived by the market as boring or even dated.  There is calls for Apple to drastically change iOS 7.  However, given what could be happening in the Android camp and potentially uncertainty, Apple can gain from the stability it provides in the market.

The iPhone will be faced with plenty of competition in 2013.  Make no mistake that every mobile player is still bring their A-game.  If some how Samsung goofs up its transition from Android to Tizen or that Google looks like it might be hoarding Android, Apple can address some issues regarding iOS and other mobile questions, and gain back some momentum with new schemes to get more iOS devices into user hands or come put with their own phablets, Apple can begin to quiet its critics.

As in really go in for the kill.

iOS 7: The Higher Security (And Maybe Killer Of One Of Our Favorite App)

This post started off as a post about a particular company I thought Apple should buy but, instead, it turned into what I like to see Apple incorporate into OS X and iOS 7.  That company is the maker of 1Password, Agilebits.  But after pondering it for a bit on a short run, I realized this isn't like to ever happen.

The security implication would be too much for Apple to happen in the manner 1Password currently works.  It's why I think previous suggestions based on Apple's security purchase, AuthenTec, provider of mobile security solutions including fingerprints.

I can't think of no better way for security to one's fingerprint.  The issue though is how feasible this is on an iPhone, iPad, or even a Macbook?  Will Apple come out with a keyboard outfitted with a specific fingerprint scanner?

Right now, 1Password still requires one to have remember a master password.  Should something happen to me, hit my head hard or something, and can't remember the password, I'm toast.  However, I'm less likely to lose my fingers (I hope) than lose my password.

It's high time that Apple implement something like this for mobile.  And if it happens, it will be elegant.  And it won't be just for remember passwords.  Apple is likely to implement any new security feature for mobile commerce.

So, what would you prefer?  Accessing sensitive information with a password or your fingerprints?

Lighter iPads Coming. Meanwhile, Go To The Gym And Work Your Arms

I think it's same to say that the next Apple update for the 9.7" iPad will including the fifth generation iconic tablet shedding weight. How much? It would be nice to see it closer to 1 pound. Right now, the current iPad stands at weighs in at 1.44 pounds for the wifi only version while the 3G comes in at 1.46.

If the next iPad does indeed shed about a third of its former weight, we would be looking at another engineering breakthrough from Apple. What's more, it'll like be faster and exhibit the same awesome battery.

Of course, only Apple knows when we'll see the next iPad.


Even now, I continue to use my original iPad from 2010, "Steve's iPad" I call it, and for some issues with memory, I love it still.

Until then, for those who whatever reason wanted to find something to complain about the iPad and they come up with its weight to talk about, all I can say is "really?".

Go to the gym and work on this weak muscles in your arms.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

150 Video Clips of Steve Jobs Together on Youtube

No Netflix or Hulu?  Not even willing to shell out for iTunes?  But you've got a lot of time this weekend?

Well, you can spend it watching this Youtube channel that has 150 videos of Steve Jobs.  I've seen one version or another of his most famous ones - Mac unveiling, iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, etc.  Still, I think there are some gems in there.

I'm not a die-hard fan but just a regular Apple enthusiast.  But if you are...

Source:  Macobserver.