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Apple’s going full steam ahead with iOSification of OS X, even removing Mac from the name. It certainly seems to think iOS is the future. But things aren’t all totally hunky dory when in the land of iOS, as the iPad is facing fierce competition and Amazon’s biting just a bit according a new report.
It’s not all doom and gloom by any means; Apple still claims well over 50 per cent of the tablet market, at least in the US, and makes a butt load of profit while doing it. But Amazon’s cheap and cheerful, but still great for media consumption tablet, the Kindle Fire, is eating into the iPad’s share of sales. It’s claimed another 14 per cent share of the tablet market, pushing Apple down from 64 per cent to 53 per cent at the end of 2011.
It seems that competing on price is the way to battle Apple, which isn’t exactly a shock I guess. I just wonder whether the same will happen here once Amazon launches the Kindle Fire on our shores.
There’s no doubt the £400 price tag of the iPad puts a hell of a lot of people off sinking their cash into a tablet. While there are cheaper alternatives in the UK, none of them are super stellar. I’m excited to see how the Kindle Fire fairs in the UK, but Amazon better bring the media goods to back it up otherwise it’ll fall flat on its face. Come on Amazon, don’t keep us on tenterhooks too long; us Brits aren’t second-class citizens you know, and we don’t like waiting. [iSuppli via TechCrunch]
At this moment in time the tablet is mainly a media consumption device (before anyone shouts at me, notice I said MAINLY) it’s a lighter, quicker to start up and shut down, easier to use device then a laptop or desktop computer. This makes Apples lead as a media provider really pay off. If you want music/tv/movies/books/magazines the chances are Apple can provide them. Neither Google, Microsoft or any other OEM has this except maybe Amazon. All other tablet makers need to address this if they are to have a chance in the fight.
I agree on some levels although we’re getting to a stage where independent media services can fill the content gaps anyway e.g. Spotify, Netflix, Kindle, iPlayer, audible, SkyGo, 4oD, etc. we’re not quite there yet as some are missing apps or functionality but it’s very close.
I’m not sure that Apple or Amazon can offer me more for my money than a combination of these independent providers especially as they are available on nearly every platform from PC to Xbox to Android.
Me buying aparticular tablet probably wouldn’t change the way I get my media at all unless those apps were restricted on the platform but in that case I’d just use my laptop.
Completely agree mike, apple have the complete package, and Amazon will be next. Amazon should also publish Kindle only apps, or Apps that are optimised to work for kindle fire, preventing the rubbish apps from installing can only be a good thing.
Tablet owners also need to address the issue of releasing updates, people want assurance googles updates will be supported.
Apple sales slowing down in the quarter before the iPad 3 is announced is normal, it will most likely be 1-2 million units on ipad3 launch day..
Tablet manufacturers*