Displaying a firm grasp of the obvious, Dell CEO and founder Michael Dell says today’s tablet market is “an iPad market.” Speaking at the Web 2.0 Summit, the PC maker added that Android tablets have not done “fantastically well.” According to Dell, Android tablets didn’t offer a compelling reason to buy over Apple’s iPad. Microsoft’s anticipated Windows 8 platform could be just the competition that Apple needs, notes Dell. READ MORE
In the tech world, it’s getting harder and harder to keep a secret. And that’s a good thing. Word is out that Dell should be releasing the Streak Pro tablet in June. Even better? It will run Google’s much-buzzed Honeycomb OS (also known as Android 3.0 for the plain-spoken). READ MORE
The Apple iPad may have been the breakthrough tech product of 2010 – with an estimated 10 million units sold to both consumers and businesses alike – but a flood of new tablet competitors will attempt to get a piece of the action in 2011. While a few Android-based devices are already out of the gate, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak, dozens of entrants will debut over the coming months –- including the hotly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook from smartphone leaders Research in Motion (RIM). Slated for a March launch for about $500, the BlackBerry PlayBook is a 7-inch tablet (opposed to the iPad’s nearly 10-inch size), with a WSVGA (1024 x 600 resolution) touchscreen. The .9-pound PlayBook offers a few features not found in the iPad. It’s got a dual-core processor for speedy performance and smooth multitasking. The PlayBook also features two HD cameras — one is a 5-megapixel camera facing outwards, and the other is a 3-megapixel camera facing the user for video conferencing, The browser supports Adobe Flash-based websites. And it’s got a micro-HDMI port to connect the PlayBook to a high-definition source, such as a HDTV or projector. Like the iPad, the PlayBook’s memory isn’t expandable. And while it offers integrated Wi-Fi access, to get online via 3G (cellular) connectivity you need a nearby BlackBerry. This Bluetooth tethering option lets the user access the Internet anywhere you’ve got cell phone reception. Content is king? There’s room for multiple competitors in the tablet space – and with many different operating systems powering them, including Google’s Android, Windows, and BlackBerry, to name a few – but Apple’s iPad has nothing to worry about in the near future, says Scott Steinberg, CEO and lead technology analyst for TechSavvy Global in Seattle. “No device will eclipse the iPad because Apple is a juggernaut not just for churning out superior hardware but perhaps more importantly, content, too, so you’re not going to see people abandon [the iPad] on masse,” says Steinberg. Supporting Steinberg’s prediction is the fact Apple’s App Store has well over 300,000 downloads – many of which for free or close to it – which is at least 200,000 more than its closest competitor, the Android Market. BlackBerry App World has roughly 10,000 apps, but they’re generally more expensive. Making a Play(Book) “An iPad killer? No, but there’s enough room for everyone to carve out comfortable market,” Steinberg says. “That said, the PlayBook might do well, especially for businesses, as it offers enterprise-level support, support for Flash, multitasking and the beauty of multiple cameras which makes video conferencing casual and convenient.” And don’t forget: Apple is already working hard on iPad 2. Apple isn’t giving up without a fight. Michael Gartenberg, research director at Gartner in Stamford, Conn., agrees with Steinberg: “Companies have been experimenting on tablets for more than a decade and the iPad was the first device to crack the market for consumers and businesses — in 2011, no one will concede that market to Apple,” predicts Gartenberg. “We’ll see a lot of effort by RIM, Android devices and others, but not only does Apple have more than a year head-start, but all those competitors will also be going up against the iPad 2.” Apple doesn’t only have a commanding market share but a commanding mindshare, as well, adds Gartenberg. On the PlayBook, Gartenberg says RIM has a “home court advantage” with businesses because of the popularity of BlackBerry smartphones in this space – but there are too many “unknowns” for a product that’s around the corner. “It looks good, but until they have final product, we don’t know how it’ll run, what apps will be for it, the cost, distribution and carrier support, as you need a BlackBerry to get online via 3G.” “It’s hard to say how well it’ll do because RIM hasn’t said enough about the device,” says Gartenberg. But there are already some well-reported disadvantages. On needing a nearby BlackBerry smartphone to get online via 3G, Steinberg calls this requirement “awkward, restrictive and less convenient than built-in 3G connectivity.” What about Google? Both Steinberg and Gartenberg agree a tablet used for business must also offer a consumer experience, too, as our professional and personal lives are increasingly woven together. “RIM’s PlayBook might be geared more towards businesses but remember they’re bought by individuals…you can’t overlook the personal factor, such as games, media and other apps,” says Gartenberg. “RIM feels like it needs to be in this tablet space but not sure if it know why it needs to be there.” Both the PlayBook and Android devices could be heavyweights in the tablet space if the category continues to grow, says Steinberg. “While it doesn’t seem to have as much buzz as the PlayBook, Android makes good use of all the [Android] Market apps, Google’s programs and solid hardware – plus there will be many different models, prices, carriers and form factors to choose from,” he says.
For business owners, it’s important to know the tech trends, gadget frenzies, and overarching themes from the show in order to plan your tech buying strategies. Here are six findings directly from the showfloor to help you stay in tune. 1. 4G is finally hereFrom the very first press conference, the main theme from the show emerged: your next smartphone will likely connect to a 4G network. In a private demo with T-Mobile, we tested the new Dell Streak 7 tablet, which connected to a 4G signal at a mouth-watering 6Mbps – faster than many DSL connections. With that speed, video chats with colleagues stayed smooth and it took only 8 minutes to download an entire Hollywood movie. For business use, 4G on your smartphone or tablet means easier Internet back-ups, smooth video chats, and snappier Web viewing. 2. Smartphones: the new notebooks?The rumors about the death of the notebook still persist. Granted, we still use these 6-pound behemoths for productivity work, but Motorola revealed a new strategy that might just put the notebook on notice. The Astrix 4G smartphone, which will be available first quarter, can be used with a docking station that connects to a desktop monitor and keyboard. The phone uses a custom interface that lets you use Web sites like Google Docs for writing, say, a business plan. There’s also a full-size QWERTY keyboard for Astrix. The idea is to use your phone for all of your productivity work, including e-mail, word processing, slideshows, and online accounting, and then dock at the office to keep working. 3. Tablets will be ubiquitousApple has sold 7.5 million iPads since its original debut. Yet, instead of just admitting defeat in the tablet market, several companies – including HTC, Motorola, and Samsung – announced new models, some that connect to 4G service. At CES last year, many companies announced or released an e-reader, but it was more of a groundswell uprising against the Amazon Kindle. This year, the industry switched to tablets and it seems as though every other booth had one on display. One interesting model to watch: Illuminus (www.illuminus.com) will release their T9 tablet this quarter that connects to an HDTV over a Wi-Fi signal in just a few steps. 4. 3D goes independentBig-budget 3D movies like Avatar are great the first few viewings but wear thin eventually. Consumer electronics giants like Sony really want you to buy a 3DTV, even if you already own an HDTV, but the content is slim. The answer: the company announced a consumer camcorder called the 3D HandyCam HDR-TD10, available this April, that shoots video in 3D and costs only about $1500. (The viewfinder displays a simulated 3D image that, in our tests, looked too blurry.) For business users, 3D could provide a way to liven up a sales demonstration. 5. The car industry is serious about electric carsAnother interesting trend from CES is that major automakers like Ford are very serious about electric cars. The company chose the CES convention to announce the new Ford Focus electric. A few weeks ago, the Chevy Volt started rolling out to dealers. What does this means for small business? For some entrepreneurs, it means a new business opportunity – e.g., helping build the infrastructure. For others, it could mean investing in a fleet of electrics for delivery as a way to lower start-up costs for fuel. 6. The economy is starting to reboundAnother important trend from CES: it appears the economy is starting to make a rebound. Attendance was up from last year, hitting about 140,000 attendees over a four day period, according to NewsFactor.com. There was also a renewed optimism – several electronics giants made splashy announcements. Panasonic had one of the biggest booths ever, and there were exhibits in just about every open space. For small business owners, a gadget boon can fuel many other industry segments.
