[wizwor]

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

I have seen that when people talk about why they choose a 7 inch versus a iPad or iPad sized clone tablet that the first criteria is never the tablets speed, apps, good UI or excellent screen.

Portability is the first and most important to them. As long as it disappears into a pocket and gets to the web and has a few important apps - they are happy. This is how the market performs.

I think these people (me, at least) are not talking about performance because performance is good enough. I think they (me, at least) are not complaining about apps because there is no missing app that would cause dissatisfaction. I think they (me, at least) are not complaining about the UI because it is pretty good. They (me, at least) are talking about price and size because these two things represented a barrier that Amazon overcame. I wouldn't pay $700 for a tablet (or a notebook or a desktop) and I would choose a notebook over another portable device that would not fit in my pocket.

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

I doubt Apple trys to get these users - they have their own! They did not up the size of the iPhone when bigger screens became popular and their sales are still very good. They do not do 4G or lte and sales are still very good. So probably they will not change in tablets until their customers demand they do.

Apple wants every consumer. They just do not want to invest heavily to gain entrance to a 'race to the bottom' -- no one gets rich selling the least expensive of anything.

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

So seven inch makers have great opportunities for clients Apple refuses to provide for. Lots of money to be made by every tablet maker here.

Time will tell. I suspect Amazon already owns the seven inch niche (which is huge). They can fight to the finish because they do not have to make money on the hardware and they sell enough volume to pressure their suppliers. The only way Amazon does not win out is for a competitor with deep pockets and a vision to decide they NEED this niche. It's not Dell or HP. Google? Maybe, but if I'm going to enter the tablet market, I target the guys who sell for $700 not the ones who sell for $200.

So look for Apple and Google to duke it out for the premium tablet market while Amazon quietly grows its tablet family and online content offerings.