4 ms·

> So... why, exactly will the tablet market be different? I think the author states a good reason -- that a tablet device is more of a luxury item that appeals

by tres 15y ago

> So... why, exactly will the tablet market be different? I think the author states a good reason -- that a tablet device is more of a luxury item that appeals to people who want to geek out with it; it makes this a whole different context. If Honeycomb devices can compete against iOS, then so much the better for everyone (even Apple); however, there are significantly different market segments that will be drawn to a device that is free-with-subscription and a market willing to pay $500+ to play. Institutional adoption of Honeycomb based devices has big potential to jumpstart Android on tablets (i.e. schools buying devices), but it's pretty safe to say the consumer marketplace is locked up. Apple can compete on price in the tablet marketplace, so until there's somebody willing to subsidize the tablet -- like the phones are -- there's really no choice.

nl 15y ago
Is there any actual evidence that tablets are a luxury item, that doesn't equally apply to the iPhone? Here in Australia the number 2 carrier recently did a sale on their self-branded version of the ZTE V9 tablet (7", Android 2.2, surprisingly good resisitive touch screen: http://www.zte.com.au/optus/V9.htm http://www.zte.com.au/optus/V9.htm) for $99 including 3GB of pre-paid data. It sold out country-wide in less than a day. The ZTE V9 is no iPad, but the speed it sold (in non-trivial numbers) indicates significant demand, at the right price. Some manufactures are willing to meet that price. Coincidentally, the same thing happened with the 7" Samsung Tablet. Samsung dropped the price here to under $300, and suddenly you can no longer buy it because everytime stock comes in it sells out immediately. I don't think that's the market behavior for a luxury good.
- ZeroGravitas 15y ago
  My theory is that tablets are "luxury" in the sense that if you already own a smartphone or laptop/netbook then you've already covered those bases to some degree. A tablet might do certain things better, but maybe not enough better for you to buy one at a given price. Just like you might find it hard to justify a point'n'shoot camera, an iPod, or a Nintendo DS if you already have an iPhone that can already do those things, even if not quite as well. However, if the price drops even further, then it can become something to buy and leave lying around the house for occasional use, or to try out on a whim. I'm not sure there's a big market for high-end tablets, just as I think high-end point'n'shoots, iPods, and portable games machines might face a shrinking market in future.

by tres 15y ago

nl 15y ago

Is there any actual evidence that tablets are a luxury item, that doesn't equally apply to the iPhone? Here in Australia the number 2 carrier recently did a sale on their self-branded version of the ZTE V9 tablet (7", Android 2.2, surprisingly good resisitive touch screen: http://www.zte.com.au/optus/V9.htm http://www.zte.com.au/optus/V9.htm) for $99 including 3GB of pre-paid data. It sold out country-wide in less than a day. The ZTE V9 is no iPad, but the speed it sold (in non-trivial numbers) indicates significant demand, at the right price. Some manufactures are willing to meet that price. Coincidentally, the same thing happened with the 7" Samsung Tablet. Samsung dropped the price here to under $300, and suddenly you can no longer buy it because everytime stock comes in it sells out immediately. I don't think that's the market behavior for a luxury good.

ZeroGravitas 15y ago
My theory is that tablets are "luxury" in the sense that if you already own a smartphone or laptop/netbook then you've already covered those bases to some degree. A tablet might do certain things better, but maybe not enough better for you to buy one at a given price. Just like you might find it hard to justify a point'n'shoot camera, an iPod, or a Nintendo DS if you already have an iPhone that can already do those things, even if not quite as well. However, if the price drops even further, then it can become something to buy and leave lying around the house for occasional use, or to try out on a whim. I'm not sure there's a big market for high-end tablets, just as I think high-end point'n'shoots, iPods, and portable games machines might face a shrinking market in future.