Amazon, B&N, Kobo: iOS aps to be pulled in June

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by tompe

It looks like the Zoom is a better alternative than the iPad. And it is not cheap.

Cool, I've seen lots of discussion about it but didn't realise it had actually been released yet. Competition can only be good. Also interesting to see how the first 'real' (3.0) Android tablet works out, I think there has probably been some unfair reactions to what Google themselves didn't think was ready for tablet use before this.
I think the different screen shape is probably not as good specifically for reading, but may be more popular for general media consumption.
Price seems pretty competitive, in the UK at least: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/moto...-tag-50002978/
"Motorola has Apple in its crosshairs, as the Xoom 32GB, Wi-Fi-only model has today gone up for preorder for a mere £450 at PC World. That's £60 less than the equivalent 32GB iPad, and only £10 more than the 16GB version."
If they had both been released at the same time it would have been a straight up fight. Interesting to see how much the year's advantage will help the iPad.
[Although going to PC World now I don't see either a price or a Pre-Order button]

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

And there in a nutshell is the answer to the people who wonder why others buy Apple devices: Because they are ahead of the curve and make better devices before their competitors. There is not currently a viable alternative to the iPad at the same screen size. I'm sure there will be by the end of the year, but at the moment all there is is cheap knockoffs.

That is not how I see it. They are successful because their devices (not counting MACs) ---while offering limited functionality -- look good and are easy to use and to learn. The technophobes have embraced them and through a steady stream of oohs and aahs from paid columnists they have created created the myth that they offer advanced technology (again, the MACs actually do). They have created a new category, the 9" media consumption device and called it the tablet. By dumbing down the device and removing functionality they managed to make it simpler and extending battery life -- which obviously is not a bad idea for simple flashless browsing and media consumption.

But no, they are not ahead of the competition except in marketing (this is where they are light years ahead) and looks. Apple is quite frank about it, the ipad and iphone don't compete on advanced technology or features, but rather on offering only what Steve believes is necessary. They do introduce some new gimmicks from time to time -- with great success.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That is not how I see it.

You surprise me

They are successful because their devices (not counting MACs) ---while offering limited functionality -- look good and are easy to use and to learn.

That sounds like a better device.

They have created a new category, the 9" media consumption device and called it the tablet. By dumbing down the device and removing functionality they managed to make it simpler and extending battery life -- which obviously is not a bad idea for simple flashless browsing and media consumption.

So how does creating a new category, which many other companies are now trying to fill, not count as being ahead of the competition? Surely creating a new category is the very definition of being ahead?
A product isn't just about the hardware inside it, it is an entire thing, including the user experience.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by John F

"Maybe Apple's New App Subscription Rule Won't Hammer Amazon"

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Maybe-....html?x=0&.v=1

Or Netflix...
http://www.businessinsider.com/netfl...on-plan-2011-2

Whole thing might well turn out to be a storm in a teacup.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

All of the merchant agreements are different. In my company's merchant agreement with Visa, they now allow us to set a minimum price for Visa card purchases. Amex doesn't.

I'm sad to hear that Visa changed that, but I guess with debit cards being so prevalent, they figured consumers still had enough buying flexibility. (They still do not allow minimums on debit card purchases.)
Amex's policy was always they they could not be handled differently than other cards. I'd have figured that if Visa allowed the minimum then Amaex would, too, else the Visa card might be favored by he merchant.

OT, I know, sorry, but CC minimums were always a pet peeve of mine.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

You surprise me

That sounds like a better device.


So how does creating a new category, which many other companies are now trying to fill, not count as being ahead of the competition? Surely creating a new category is the very definition of being ahead?
A product isn't just about the hardware inside it, it is an entire thing, including the user experience.

Apple devices tend to work very well for those who just want to use a few simple functions, don't need any customizations, and are fine with the limitations. For them Apple devices can well be better suited. The only times Apple's limitations have serious negative impacts on the experience for these users is the lack of flash, overly stringent app store rules, and now (quite possible) this new toll booth. Looks to me like Apple is going too far -- and it might well back fire.

Apple, on the other hand, is rather poor choice for people who are taking any interest in technology -- definitely a minority.

Yes, Apple is still ahead in user experience for simple tasks (I haven't actually seen Honeycomb, that may well put Android ahead for the moment), and they are even farther ahead in selling that experience to the market.

And no argument from me on Apple creating a new category with the iPad. But that was the first time they ever did that. And they have reaped enormous benefits from it. It will be much harder to stay ahead in the future, though.

While I don't like iOS products because of negative personal experiences for me, my wife, and her friends; I do, however, greatly admire Steve Jobs as one of the most outstanding business geniuses of our time. I just don't believe that iOS products deserve the label of offering the most advanced technology -- which Apple always claims for themselves and which is what many Apple users believe. The genius lies in the marketing and presentation, not in the products.

[ApK]

I could not find a viable alternative to the iPod touch 4g. I would have preferred to get my wife a more open device, and one that did not cost +$100 for a 32GB memory upstep with no user expansion.
Small, light, seemingly well built, great screen, competent browsing experience, Skype video chat, Netflix, and an amazing assortment of other apps, driven, obviously, by it's popularity.
Even the Apple app store is a bit fragmented by a few apps that will work on an iPhone but not an iPod, but not nearly as fragmented as the Android world currently is.
Plus, the Apple Store in the mall was the one place where we could REALLY use the devices before buying, and have a (reasonably) knowledgeable sales person show us how stuff worked. I admit there is real added value there.
The down side is my whole family is now addicted to Angry Birds.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by tompe

It looks like the Zoom is a better alternative than the iPad. And it is not cheap.

And it's obscenely expensive. Thank god for the Nook Color.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

And it's obscenely expensive. Thank god for the Nook Color.

Well, given the spec and technologies used....it's actually not obscene....but more you get what you pay for....All depends on what you need and what you think "expensive" is in relation to that.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Well, given the spec and technologies used....it's actually not obscene....but more you get what you pay for....All depends on what you need and what you think "expensive" is in relation to that.

To surf the web, watch some videos, and run a few apps. Anything over $300 is too expensive.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Well, given the spec and technologies used....it's actually not obscene....but more you get what you pay for....All depends on what you need and what you think "expensive" is in relation to that.

I disagree. For the technology, it's just expensive. The cost of the memory upgrades are way out of line with the technology, and the cost of adding the OPTION to use 3G, which would then still cost money to use, is almost the price of a Kindle or Nook with free 3G included.

That's not to say that the price is usury or anything. In addition to build quality and craftsmanship (I hope) you're paying for style, form, and, as I said just above, the value-add of Apple Stores and the like.

ApK

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

To surf the web, watch some videos, and run a few apps. Anything over $300 is too expensive.

Originally Posted by ApK

I disagree. For the technology, it's just expensive. The cost of the memory upgrades are way out of line with the technology, and the cost of adding the OPTION to use 3G, which would then still cost money to use, is almost the price of a Kindle or Nook with free 3G included.

That's not to say that the price is usury or anything. In addition to build quality and craftsmanship (I hope) you're paying for style, form, and, as I said just above, the value-add of Apple Stores and the like.

ApK

Well, again....it is dependent on your requirements as I said. The dual processor, speed, the responsiveness, the upgradeability to 4G etc.

There's no "upgrade" to 3G. It's already there. It does take an upgrade to get to 4G and I don't know what that might cost. Don't know that it's been announced.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Well, again....it is dependent on your requirements as I said. The dual processor, speed, the responsiveness, the upgradeability to 4G etc.

There's no "upgrade" to 3G. It's already there. It does take an upgrade to get to 4G and I don't know what that might cost. Don't know that it's been announced.

D'Oh! You guys were talking about about the Xoom! I though we were talking about the iPad!

Never mind!

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by kennyc

There's no "upgrade" to 3G. It's already there. It does take an upgrade to get to 4G and I don't know what that might cost. Don't know that it's been announced.

Is the WiFi only version not available in the US? (Of the Xoom)

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Is the WiFi only version not available in the US? (Of the Xoom)

No.

My understanding is you have to at least buy one month of Month-to-month...