Googles Answer to the iPad

[trax1]

So I guess Google is gonna come out with a tablet PC to compete with the iPad, I think Google's gonna do it right, they get to see what everyone's complaining about not being in the iPad and try to include that into theirs.

http://www.izgadget.com/2010/02/03/google-tablet-pc-release-rumors-will-the-google-pad-battle-the-ipad/

[Ruler2]

"Can it compete with the Apple iPad? Sure. Anything can compete with an Apple product, if done correctly. Apple is well known for its products being sturdy, solid, and well working pieces of tech"   The IPad dosen't fit this definition, so apparently apple dosen't make it? 

I can't wait to see what thing thing can do, maybe I'll even get one.

[CAP1]

taking into consideration, that everyone seems concerned with privacy, especially where goodle is concerned, would not buying a computer built by them be bad?

[Saurdaukar]

Still dont see the market for this product - regardless of manufacturer.

[Shuffler]

Security is only as good as the person operating it.

[CAP1]

Security is only as good as the person operating it.

my point was that google seems to be gathering and storing information on everyone that uses it(from what i hear). so if they have their own computer, who's to say that it won't transmit information back "home" at scheduled intervals?

[Demetrious]

Still dont see the market for this product - regardless of manufacturer.

The market will be all the idiots who will buy it because it's OMG APPLE.

Apperently the "Ipad" is targeted at a general audience for general useage- basically a laptop in tablet form. As far as I know, most tablet computers out there are more specialized- like Kindles for reading e-books, and Cintaqs for artists who use them as virtual sketchpads. Still, it seems odd to me that no general "tablet PC" has been produced prior to this. In fact, I'm sure they have. In which case I doubt Apple's offering is superior either in specs or cost, since when the Iphone launched Nokia had a phone a year old that had superior technical specs. A good breakdown of that latter observation is provided by the foul-mouthed, abrasive humor of one Maddox. I won't post the link here because it's rather Not Safe For Work, and forum rules make no distinction between properly NSFW-tagged-links and ones without warning. Discerning adults may find his analysis on his site with simple googling.

[indy007]

Still dont see the market for this product - regardless of manufacturer.

People didn't think there was a market for e-readers either, but the Kindle is actually catching on. These would be a great replacement for it, just port the books to PDF and add some DRM to keep Amazon happy.

[Saurdaukar]

People didn't think there was a market for e-readers either, but the Kindle is actually catching on. These would be a great replacement for it, just port the books to PDF and add some DRM to keep Amazon happy.

To parrot my thoughts from the other iPad thread, I did not think the Kindle would do well.  It's actually a fine product and, although I dont own one, I have purchased three as gifts for others, who love them.

Therein lies the difference, however.  In my mind, the Kindle is focused.  It has a specific purpose and it excels at that purpose.

By contrast, what does the iPad/G-Tablet represent?  I cant figure it out.  Its not a fully fledged computer, and its too ungainly to be used in a truly portable fashion like a smartphone.  The iPod and the iPhone were both revolutionary for their respective industries; they are each genuinely useful and are both better than what they replaced.  The iPod replaced CD's and the iPhone replaced call-only mobile devices.

In what industry/niche are these tablets competing?  What are they revolutionizing?  To whom does Apple and Google expect to sell these things? 

If you're a foreman; are you going to be bringing one of these to a work site instead of a "heavy-duty" laptop?  Hell no.  Drop it once and the screen will probably shatter. 

CFO going to be using it?  Nope.  He needs a proper computer to run proper software. 

Point is - the tools for each job these tablets can perform already exist - and are each respectively better at those jobs.

How long has the computer industry been trying to push using your computer as a television?  15 years now?  Ain't gonna happen.  Yet I still see "HDMI-Port!  1080p Capable!" as a feature on today's video cards.  Why do I care? 

With 3DTV being the next "big thing", you can buy a friggen 65" 1080p DLP HDTV for a grand these days.  Who is going to spend twice that on a rig and a 25" monitor; and watch TV at a desk; when you can skip that option and spend the remainder on a nice comfortable couch from which to watch your brand new, obscenely large television?

I see a lot of these tablets ending up on school buses and in coffee shops; but only for those who want to be seen with one... on a school bus or in a coffee shop.

DOA.

[Shuffler]

The market will be all the idiots who will buy it because it's OMG APPLE.

Apperently the "Ipad" is targeted at a general audience for general useage- basically a laptop in tablet form. As far as I know, most tablet computers out there are more specialized- like Kindles for reading e-books, and Cintaqs for artists who use them as virtual sketchpads. Still, it seems odd to me that no general "tablet PC" has been produced prior to this. In fact, I'm sure they have. In which case I doubt Apple's offering is superior either in specs or cost, since when the Iphone launched Nokia had a phone a year old that had superior technical specs. A good breakdown of that latter observation is provided by the foul-mouthed, abrasive humor of one Maddox. I won't post the link here because it's rather Not Safe For Work, and forum rules make no distinction between properly NSFW-tagged-links and ones without warning. Discerning adults may find his analysis on his site with simple googling.

iPad is targeted towards getting individuals to pay for content. Nothing more.... nothing less.

Companies that make printers do much the same except they almost give the machine away to make money on the ink.

[Vulcan]

How long has the computer industry been trying to push using your computer as a television?  15 years now?  Ain't gonna happen.  Yet I still see "HDMI-Port!  1080p Capable!" as a feature on today's video cards.  Why do I care? 

Err I know quite a few people using HTPC's as TV's, typically in conjunction with DVB-T or DVB-S cards.

[Saurdaukar]

Err I know quite a few people using HTPC's as TV's, typically in conjunction with DVB-T or DVB-S cards.

Ok.  I know of none.