iPad Browsers Killing Others Online

So while Android is doing a great job in working through the pack and like other Google powered monsters - its like PacMan it destroys everything in its path.

Not so in Browser shares on mobile devices. As you can see from the latest Browser share trends, the iPad is clearly a better device for browsers. We know its a better device for Apps based on App numbers and usage.

Sadly Opera Mini the little browser that could is being replaced in people's hearts and is headed south after blazing a trail of browsers on small aperture devices. So much for being first! And having used it vs the Safari browser I much prefer the simplicity of the Opera Browser.

So iOS5 is coming. Let's see what happens next.

And you all thought it would be a new iPhone (me included) although I did speculate that it would be kind of a ho hum release. Seems I was right

Cheers

The Third Device

In just a short while Apple has re-defined the essence of the SmartPhone device with the iPhone. Now just 4 years old, the iPhone has changed the way we interact with our mobile world. For this (and despite my rantings against Apple) they deserve our admiration. But perhaps the most interesting phenomenon is the change in the way we use technology in general. When Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft they had grand visions about a Computer on every desk and one in every home. I don’t think they quite envisage that the consumers would develop a need for so many. Nor for how many of these we consume on an annual basis.

In 2004 in an interview with Fast Company Howard Schulz opened with a description of the experience at Starbucks where he is back at being CEO. “If you think about what occurs within a Starbucks store, I think we've known for a long time now that Starbucks is more than just a wonderful cup of coffee. It's the experience. And the experience is defined by what we have characterized for a long time as Starbucks really becoming this "Third Place" between home and work -- an extension of people's front porch, or people's home office. As a result of that, we realized early on that we had an opportunity to leverage the equity of the experience and the trust that our consumers have in the brand and in our people, to other products and services.”

Last week, along with Don Birch I moderated the Mobile Track at Distribution Summit run by Eye For Travel. About half way through the second session – it dawned on me that there is a new access method. We are now starting to use essentially a leisure device in the home. Its not a formal – but an informal product that is just an appliance. I call this the Third Device.

Several people have tried to make this happen. The Netbooks were the first attempt at this in recent times but many of us remember the TRS80 and the Sinclair products. Apple once again has redefined the market and given us the defining first implementation of the Third Device. Let us all be clear it is not a full PC and it doesnt need to be.

At the conference there were about 40 or 50 people who were busy typing away their notes on the (mostly) iPads. Don even won an iPad 1 from the organizers. I watched these brave early adopters struggle with the idiosyncrasies of the tablet, its lack of flash and several other things that are quirky and even annoying. I have spent quite some time with an iPad (actually other people’s devices since I don’t have one – yet!). These hardy folks will suffer the brickbats of being pioneers. Still it looks a little hard.

I accept that the Third Device is really with us. Yes it’s a new way – and yes it will re-define how we consume media. We are already re-defining this interaction. For me the defining moment was boarding an aircraft last year behind someone reading a Swedish newspaper on his iPad. In exactly the same manner as someone used to read a paper newspaper. But don’t take my word for it – there are so many different examples about the decline of the newsprint business. The Third Device is going to broaden beyond the pure tablet. The recently released so called ChromeBooks (android/chromeOS based light devices) are another example. Netbooks based on MS OS is not likely to make a huge comeback which is a big blow for MS. We are likely to see other web browsing or web hosted services only based on WebOS or other web front end thin based clients.

But we are going to suffer until our wireless based infrastructure is better. I roam a great deal. I can assure you that we are far from, reliable, inexpensive or free based open web access. Therefore we are not likely to have full ability to leverage the devices.

Which comes first the device or the infrastructure? The Third Device like Starbucks is with us.

May we better be able to be smart about how we devise our services to these devices? Actually I am not very optimistic. I feel judging by some of the really bad apps out there – I don’t see that we are going to get a higher grade service any time soon. Let’s at this earlier stage – at least in Travel work harder at a higher grade of product. If not we are going to condemn our users to a poor experience and us to expensive support hardships.

Cheers

Woe Woe Thrice Times Woe - RI(P)M Playbook

For Brits and Anglophiles from the 1970s who remember the great Frankie Howerd, this line will mean something.

Here is one of my favorite quotes:

"Very clever, all those boys are, very clever boys. I think they should turn professional. They tell me now they’ve learned to put on make-up. Soon they’re going to use it on the stage!"

However for RIM and Blackberry this is no comedy. I originally thought that the RIM purchase of QNX was a masterly stroke. I was really looking forward to a brilliant Blackberry Playbook.

Looks like I will have to be waiting for a long time or not at all. The Playbook will release on April 19th without (drum roll please) A NATIVE EMAIL APPLICATION.

What are they smoking up there north of the border. I think you about about to lose me as a Crackberry addict. I may just have to go to the darkside. (Not for handheld device though - just yet). I already bought 2 Macs for the general use on my team and well looks like an iPad if I can get my hands on one will be in order.

This is bad bad bad..... RIM - delay release and fix this so that your baby is not still born.

The Inevitable March of The Tablet

It seems that the tablet is beginning to become that ubiquitous tool that seems to be what people are going to use - a lot of.

I was an early adopter of the Windows XP Tablet. I loved its ability to do things that I could not do - nor could others - before. Despite cracking a few of them - I still use two of my Toshibas (I had 3). They were 2 heavy and didn't like using your fingers.

The iPad v1.0 is becoming like that. I see it everywhere. I have played with one and could easily master its use. V4.02 of the OS made a huge difference for the usability of the system.

A good article in the LA Times and syndicated in places like my local paper the Seattle Times discussed how Apple has taken the Crackberry and made it priority number one as their obstacle into the Corporate World.

The latest projections of WorldWide sales of iPads is really a scary number. Especially with Apple projected to capture nearly 70% of all tablet sales by 2012.

Are we doomed???

I hope not - but I am saving my pennies for April when the iPad2 comes out. Wait - did I just admit to that... (Que sound of humble pie eating).

Cheers

Oh Dear... Will I Trip To The Dark Side?

I used to love Tablets. Then they lost their way.

Along comes the iPad everything you wanted in a tablet but less.

Less horsepower
Less battery life
Less disk size
Less camera (actually no built in one)

So along comes the Black Turtle-necked one. it is likely he will announce in January or no later than April - the next gen iPad.it will have cameras and more disk size.

Oh I am getting tempted.

Rabid IPad Owners

So no new news for iPads in Apples fun day today.

However buried deep inside was a bit of new news... iOS4.2. This should have the fixes you have all been waiting for - but wait a little longer it will be November before it sees the light of day(glo).

So what have you little iPad users been doing with your machines, what is your usage profile and well how sad are you really?

I did a little digging and found some research on the subject.

Firstly let's be real clear. Like the iPhone before it - an iPad is best used as a consumption device. it is better as a creation device than its smaller siblings but it follows Apple's very clear philosophy. Consumption devices and Creation devices are mostly separated. The MAC was always seen as a good content creation device. It became its role in life. As 1:Many content creation has become more important so to has the Mac's growth and adoption mirror'd the trend. This contrasts with Microsoft's philosophy of a 1:1 communication device with content consumption via the web browser. Apple made their hardware devices optimized for one or the other NOT BOTH. So thus the iPad is indeed a very cool consumption device.

This somewhat goes against the grain of an "all in one" device. But who knows. It comes down in my opinion to not form over function but a unique mix of both. For that Apple needs a good pat on the back.

And of all the failings that Microsoft has - this is perhaps their clearest one. They didn't understand that personal consumption is individual. The parallels in how Apple got this right and Microsoft got it wrong becomes so obvious with hindsight.

Another observation is that Apple understood - or its just happened that way - that the iPad is not really a device for toting around. It is just ideal as the device for the home. Because people don't like creating stuff at home - they like consuming.

The iPad in my view is personal TV. Its form factor really does a great job in that score. Again Apple got this right and everyone else got it wrong.

What is interesting is that this actually may be the saviour of general media. With the demand for short form content exceeding that of long form but not having to make the choice - traditional media should feel happy.

But this is not just my view. A study by cooper murphy webb shows how the device gets used. It shows a usage preference that mirrors print. But remember the audience who was asked... early adopters. In my view this will give some significant usage pointers for the future use of the device.



So maybe you are not so sad at all....

Does this mean the Professor will breakdown and get an iPad... not just yet... but maybe when they refresh the device.

Cheers

More iProblems For Steve - This Time The FTC

Be careful who you pick your fights with Steve... now it seems that the Feds have iPhone well and truly in their sights. According to the Wall Street Journal, The FTC - US Federal Trade Commission are investigating Apple's Advertising system for the iPhone.

And the Feds are not being slow about jumping into the fray. Within literally hours of the AT&T security breach involving iPads becoming public - the FBI jumps in and announces a criminal probe. I guess exposing the White House Chief of Staff's email address was not a particularly good thing to happen

But wait - there's more.

Apple's attempts at opening up a whole new avenue of cash cow milking machinery - iAd- (aka Apple forcing advertising into the iPhone infrastructure) only a few days old and Google coming out swinging on that front (because they can't stand competition) the FTC steps in.

What seems to be so weird about this is that it took a long time - literally years - before the Feds stepped into the whole bundling thing at Microsoft for bundling the OS with the web browser - is that this is about hard cash. Whereas the Microsoft Windows/IE battle was about harming potential competition (as in whose free product was disadvantaged) , this is about how fat the spigot should be. And boy do they move faster now.

These are definitely not your father's Feds. The government cash sniffer nose has become a little more sensitive.

Now who/what else could they investigate. Here are some examples:

Apple vs Adobe over Flash
Google vs Just about Everything

I could make some comments about certain companies in the travel distribution food chain but I am keeping this more focused on Apple at the moment.

Apple's normally vaunted reputation for "it just works" also seems to be coming in for some scrutiny.

Steve Job's WiFi troubles in announcing the iPhone are just one of a host of issues that apple's smaller (but wildly more profitable) services are having. The iPad has significant issues on WiFi - just troll the web for some of this. For example this one.

Those of you who were early iPhone adopters will recall that when it first came out - the device seemed to have a teensy weenie problem with making - phone calls!

So now the world's second most valuable tech company (after Google) is going to understand what it means to have a degree of scrutiny.

I bet Obama is laughing all the way home. His special Blackberry doesn't have to be called the Devil's Instrument...

Cheers

The End Of The PC As We Know It

Apple quietly unveiled a new tool as part of iPhone OS4. It is its new ad targeting delivery vehicle. iAd.

Thanks to Professor Ben for alerting me to this.

Clearly I missed the whole hoopla and was just happy that Apple recognizes that people actually can chew gum and walk at the same time (aka multi-tasking). What is somewhat scary though is that the new platform has an area of secure functions that the user has no control over.

Within the new OS4 - a number of functions will now operate independent of the owner/user. Some of these are valuable features to improve the quality of the User Experience (UE). For example the geolocation services will not require apps that use them to be turned on. the apps can be off and the geolocation service will update/sync as necessary. Indeed the OS will now wake up an app if there is something interesting going on. Think of Facebook staying constantly on and being aware of where you are at all time. To me the scary thing is that the user has no control over it. Rules of use and access will be controlled by some geeks in Cupertino.

Thus iAd will become the standard for the delivery of geo-targeted ads. Indeed in Ben's Opinion and I concur - this will challenge the whole notion of ad targeting. Move over Google here comes Apple. I think I am losing track of who has control over the real Death Star

This will create a whole new class of always on services that stay with you. Indeed the initiative will make mobile the pre-eminent interface between the user and the eworld. Thus in my opinion the PC will decline as the primary interface to the web.

Wait did I say that???

Yes - this is a challenge to the PC centric world that we know and love. We are headed towards the world of the Star Trek Communicator. However the device will not be tied to a Ship's Computer it will tied to the web with all its idiosyncrasies.

So going back to my theory. We have a new world emerging. 5 years ago who would have thought that the innovation to drive a sea change in mobile would have come from Apple. But they have managed to do it. I would have put money on Blackberry and would not have lost any (I did back their stock by the way). But now the convergence that we have heard for so long will likely come from the house of Steve. Thus I nominate Ocelot for the next named Apple OS X software. I think they should skip the whole 10.x and go to 11. OS X-11 Ocelot will be the slimmer version of the OS that merges all the OS4 of the iPhone with the Mac OS. Combine that with a clamshell tablet and then I would be very interested. (I just can't bring myself to say I would purchase an iPad).

Hello Redmond, Santa Clara, Mountain View - anyone home?

Cheers

An iPad for $499? How about $1170!

OK so I will admit I am biased because I really do dislike the "ancillary" revenues that an iPhone extracts from its seemingly (in other moments) sane and rational people.

So I went to Best Buy and looked at a fully functioning netbook from HP mini 210-1010nr Black netbook featuring an Intel N450 Processor with 1GB Memory and 160GB Hard drive. $299.99. Add an extended warranty ($45) Shipping (free but lets add $25) A case (it comes with a slip case) $0. I could extend the memory. But it's a multi tasking machine. So far I have a comparable machine but no 3G wireless support. The iPad requires a 2 year 3G data plan....

So I left Best Buy and wandered over to the AT&T Wireless store. I can buy a Netbook (the same machine) for only $199. it comes with Wifi and 3G built in. Ah ha! A comparable machine.

So the numbers are $199+protection $99. and? Well nothing else. Total including tax $317.58 (tax included). Shipping was free. Add back some additional accessories - add another $49 - making a total $371.40.

So how did I come up with the $1170 price? Go check out this article.

So will I pay - lets be kind $800 for an extra 20% of screen real estate and a REALLY COOL device? Oh yes and remember the iPad is a single tasking machine.

And that data plan price? Standard pricing is $35 for 200MB/month or $60 for 5GB per month. Roaming internationally? It is $19.50 PER MEGABYTE. To put that in perspective. The average web page size is 60KB or $1.17 PER WEB PAGE.

So if its all the same to you - I think I will pass on the iPad.

Cheers


Cheers