Google Announces the Nexus 7"

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by ibm650

The conclusion is that Companies want to lock you into their infrastructure.
Thus the reason we do not see sd on the Nexus.

We all know that. The point is that if we don't accept it (i.e very few people buy the device) they will rethink that strategy and change it next time. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by ibm650

The new model is hardware is just a platform. So you want to close it as much as possible. Think about it, Apple makes 30 percent of all purchases no USB or SD. Nexus 7 has no sd card, nor does the Kindle
tablet), both are locked as much as possible to the infrastructure. The Kindle to Amazon, the Nexus 7 to Google, the Nook to B&N (although it has a micro SD).
The Amazon reader use Mobi format.
The conclusion is that Companies want to lock you into their infrastructure.

The Nexus is not locked into the Google platform you can easily download the amazon app store, Get apps, and other apps Just fine. You can buy books from Amazon, B&N, Kobo etc...

With Apple, B&N, Amazon etc... you cannot without working around their restricted methods.

I don't consider their lack of SD to indicate a closed system. B&N proved you can have a closed system and provide an open environment just as the Nexus w/o an SD card proves you can have an open environment w/o an SD card

[ScotiaBurrell]

Originally Posted by =X=

With Apple, B&N, Amazon etc... you cannot

I us them with ios - amazon books and music. Not hard!

Maybe easier on android but trivial too on ios.

Originally Posted by ScotiaBurrell

I us them with ios - amazon books and music. Not hard!

Maybe easier on android but trivial too on ios.

I think that =X= was referring to the rather negative publicity that Apple received over their in-app purchase policy a while back. I don't really know how Amazon/Kobo/etc. resolved the issue, just that they have.

As per the no-SD card bit, that isn't really locking people into a particular vendor's cloud. There are any number of remote storage solutions available. I have a file manager that supports Box, SugarSync, DropBox, SkyDrive, and GDrive. I have also used Ubuntu One in the past. Not only does Google allow third party solutions in their store, but other app developers support them as well. You also have access to SMB and FTP if you want to bypass the cloud and access data on your own computers (with a little technical know how, you can even access your own network on the road). That being said, Google does make a concerted effort to place their own services front and centre.

The most cynical view that I have of the SD card situation is this: it is primarily used as a tool for planned obsolescence, and to discourage people from buying a lower end model and upping the internal storage. Of course, there are also issues with SD cards that would drive up the cost of the device. A big one will be support costs, from users who don't know how to use SD cards or use them improperly

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by =X=

[...]You can buy books from Amazon, B&N, Kobo etc...

With Apple, B&N, Amazon etc... you cannot without working around their restricted methods.

That simply isn't true.
When I buy a book from Amazon, I can read it on my Android device or my Apple device. I buy all my books on the PC, and there is no difference between the two devices.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

That simply isn't true.
When I buy a book from Amazon, I can read it on my Android device or my Apple device. I buy all my books on the PC, and there is no difference between the two devices.

Well, you cannot buy inside the app on an Apple device or from the app.

[Anabran]

"With Apple, B&N, Amazon etc... you cannot without working around their restricted methods."

Hi
I cant comment on the Ipad alleged restrictions however
the Amazon kindle fire it is just a matter attaching to you PC or Mac and sideloading
any alternative android 2+ app you desire
most of my books are .epub not the native .mobi and I use Alkido render not the native amazon reader.
I use alternative video,photo viewing, web browser and home screen apps all with out "rooting"

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by tompe

Well, you cannot by inside the app on an Apple device or from the app.

Those two things appear to be the same?
No, I buy from the Amazon web page, regardless of what device I'm using.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

Those two things appear to be the same?
No, I buy from the Amazon web page, regardless of what device I'm using.

With "from the app" I meant that you could follow a link from the app and buy in the browser.

[The Terminator]

Originally Posted by ibm650

The new model is hardware is just a platform. So you want to close it as much as possible. Think about it, Apple makes 30 percent of all purchases no USB or SD. Nexus 7 has no sd card, nor does the Kindle
tablet), both are locked as much as possible to the infrastructure. The Kindle to Amazon, the Nexus 7 to Google, the Nook to B&N (although it has a micro SD).
The Amazon reader use Mobi format.
The conclusion is that Companies want to lock you into their infrastructure.
Thus the reason we do not see sd on the Nexus.

I disagree, I think they wanted to keep the price at $199.

[Anabran]

"I disagree, I think they wanted to keep the price at $199."

This ^

People need to be realistic about what they are going to get hardware wise at the $200 USD price point.
you have a few tablet options floating about in the market with SD slot & HDMI
you may buy yourself one but be prepared to pay more than $200 USD.

[Marseille]

I disagree with ibm650 too, but the sd slot wasn't about cost either. The Galaxy Nexus wasn't an entry level device, and it tossed the slot as well. Google is simplifying operations and removing options across the board.

The 370t was official in january, and even without Google's monetization options, they were targeting a $250 price point with a slot and hdmi. The $250 N7 probably costs about $8 more to make than the $200 version (see link in one of my earlier posts). People need to be as realistic about the reason for that price difference as they need to be about what they can get for $200.

[Anabana]

So, if I've been seriously considering the Nook 16Gb tablet ($249) - wouldn't I be better off with this one -- better os, more capacity, higher resolution --- same price ??
(I've mentioned before on other threads that I'm a tech-illiterati charter member)

[Marseille]

I think you would be better off with this, though it doesn't have more capacity. The higher resolution is certainly going to become standard for readers. That's where it really shines, in making text sharper and clearer.

The other thing it has going for it is a dramatically better default app selection, and ergo, dramatically better functionality. B&N can be frustratingly slow to make improvements. If the Nook Tab doesn't do exactly what you want when you buy it, you either need to be prepared to hack it or just live with it.

[SeaKing]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

We all know that. The point is that if we don't accept it (i.e very few people buy the device) they will rethink that strategy and change it next time. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.

Amazon, Apple, Google are big and they will do what they want, but companies without the big ecosystem infrastructure that are in the business of selling devices like Samsung, Lenovo, HTC, Archos, etc., will provide us tablets with SD cards, normal USB ports, larger memory, etc. Unfortunately since these companies aren't factoring in as a part of their investment return their customers buying other products, their machines may be higher in cost though it seems like the costs are getting so low that it is immaterial.