Friday, December 10, 2010

What kind of Tablet Should You Buy, Boomers?

Hello, Boomers. Once again I want to apologize for not publishing in this blog recently.  I am in the midst of putting the finishing touches on my thesis and will return to blogging once that is complete. In the meantime, a colleague of mine, Gerry Purdy, of MobileTrax, LLC has written an email giving his advice to family and friends about what kind of tablet they might want to buy for the holidays. Most of Gerry's e-mail newsletters are written for the industry, but I thought this one was applicable to you. With his kind permission, I reprint it here.


I’ve had a number of friends and relatives ask me, “What tablet should you buy for the upcoming holidays?”  The question is a good one to consider because there are so many choices this year.  Remember that just a year ago the only ‘tablet’ in high volume production was the Kindle eReader.  Now, there’s the new (better but still B&W) Kindle, the color nook from Barnes & Noble (really an eBook reader), the full function Apple iPad, the Galaxy Tab from Samsung and products announced from Dell (Slate) and RIM (BlackBerry PlayBook).  I’ll focus on the first four products in this issue as I haven’t yet seen the Slate or PlayBook which are not yet shipping in volume.

Each one of these tablet devices may be right for you depending on your personal preferences.  Of all the current tablets, Apple has created the most emotional appeal with its commercials emphasizing the “magical iPad”.

First, if you only want to read a book, then the Kindle will adequately meet your needs.  The latest offering includes a 6” black & white display that provides higher contrast than previous models.  It includes Wi-Fi & free 3G to download books from any location in the world and costs $189.  There’s a Wi-Fi only version for $139, but I recommend spending $50 more to get one with built-in 3G. Amazon has the largest book collection, so the Kindle is a great gift for someone who’s an avid book reader and not likely to want the advanced features of a tablet.  


The next step up is the Barnes & Noble nook that now includes a color display.  They have announced support for a number of magazines that predominantly include color diagrams and photos.  This isn’t a full tablet as it doesn’t support an OS like Apples iOS or Google’s Android, but it greatly expands the classes of content that can be displayed on a tablet device.   This first version of the color nook only has Wi-Fi, but I expect you’ll see a color nook with 3G cellular wireless, since 3G is already provided in older nook models. 


For the past six months, the full tablet arena was owned by Apple with the launch of the first version of the iPad.  It has a larger 10” display, and the Apple App Store now includes thousands of applications that are designed specifically for the iPad.  A good example is the app produced to provide a great experience for reading color-enhanced newspapers, magazines and periodicals.  


I recently wrote a column (September 15, 2010) that declared the death of the physical newspaper within 10 years as the number of color tablets grows to hundreds of millions.  I expect publishers to offer a better tablet-based content reading and searching experience versus what can be provided on paper.  Rupert Murdoch has announced plans to publish a new digital newspaper called The Daily which will be delivered overnight to tablets.   That’s the sign of the future.


The iPad has two great ways to read books: 1) iBooks (formatting method for just the iPad that is cool - pages flip graphically) and the iBook Store (library of iPad enhanced books like iTunes provides a library of music and videos) and 2) Amazon Kindle Reader for the iPad so you can get all of Amazon's digital books (millions of them) on your iPad.  All of the books I have read on the iPad came out of the Amazon/Kindle library because it has significantly more titles.


I have found the iPad to be a much different experience than I thought it would be.  First, it’s much more of a ‘pass around’ kind of device that is different from either an iPhone or a notebook/Mac.  It’s easy to access photos or other things and just pass it to someone.  


Pandora works well with the iPad (because it has good speakers).  We sometimes just play background music, since it creates channels based on the music you like.


Email is easier on the iPad than the iPhone simply because it’s easier to see and much easier to type a reply.  It doesn’t replace Outlook on the Mac/PC notebook, but still it’s easier to manage than with a phone.  


I like the Amazon book store on the iPad as it has all of the books that are available with the Kindle.  I suspect that you’ll just find that you can get books from Amazon (download the Amazon/Kindle app for the iPad), as well as some books from the iBook store, and end up just not needing the Kindle.  If you have an older Kindle and are getting a new tablet like the iPad, give the Kindle to someone else who would enjoy reading books.


Just like with the iPhone, you sync up the iPad via 'Apple connector' to your notebook (Windows or Mac). You can then transfer files, photos and videos through the connector and using iTunes.  All of your iTunes content is immediately available on your iPad -- which is nice (and not available on the Samsung Galaxy).  And, you can make phone calls with the iPad using Skype and Wi-Fi.


The iPad will display PDF documents, allowing you to view them when out with friends or business associates.  I use it with other people showing them PDF versions of presentations or documents or photos all the time.  You'll be amazed that it becomes your group meeting interactive, pass around device.


I just acquired a Galaxy Tab.  The screen is smaller at 7”, but it feels very comfortable holding and carrying it around.  It has a camera, MicroSD slot for additional storage, and supports Adobe Flash -- thus easily displaying any web site that utilizes Flash technology.  It can also be used to set up a mobile hotspot.


The Galaxy Tab is definitely 'better' (more features) than the iPad, but it's just coming out.  Both have wireless with Wi-Fi built in, but I would recommend getting any tablet with 3G, as I have found you need access at times when Wi-Fi isn’t available.  You can sign up for their least expensive wireless data plan, but make sure you use Wi-Fi for large downloads and apps like Pandora (streaming music) which consume a lot of bandwidth.  


It seems clear to me that tablets will become a ‘must have’ for technology savvy individuals this year and then migrate into the enterprise market next year.  By 2012, I expect tablets to be become part of what I refer to as ‘the three mobile device world’ which includes a notebook PC/Mac, SmartPhone and tablet.  You talk and review with the SmartPhone, think and reflect with a tablet, and create and explore with a notebook/Mac.  


If you want to get that ‘Ooooh’ and ‘Ahhhh’ (along with some ‘Eeeeeks’ and ‘OMGs’), give someone you love an Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab this holiday season.  You’ll be so cool and receive lots of love.


Written by: 

J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D.
Principal Analyst
Mobile & Wireless
MobileTrax LLC
404-406-5309

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up
losing several weeks of hard work due to no data backup.
Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
My web site http://www.CarbBackloadingReviews.org/

Anonymous said...

Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your website, how
can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a
acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny transparent idea

Here is my web-site; fake watches

Anonymous said...

Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to “return the favor”.

I am attempting to find things to enhance my website!
I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

Feel free to surf to my web page; unsaddle

Anonymous said...

I used to be able to find good information from your blog articles.


my blog :: mobile apps Gauteng

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article
and also the rest of the website is also really good.


my homepage - Luxury Villas In Marrakech

Anonymous said...

What's up, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that's in fact
excellent, keep up writing.

Also visit my web blog ... events management Cape Town

Anonymous said...

It's truly a nice and useful piece of info. I'm glad that you shared this useful info with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.


Look into my website - architects

Anonymous said...

Good way of describing, and nice post to obtain data on the topic of my presentation topic, which i am going to deliver in university.


Here is my homepage ... steakhouse

Anonymous said...

May I just say what a relief to find a person that truly
understands what they are discussing on the
internet. You definitely understand how to
bring a problem to light and make it important. More and
more people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story.
It's surprising you're not more popular given that
you surely have the gift.

Look into my homepage; logo creation

Anonymous said...

Whatever room needs some adjustment, a home builders
in tennessee employs a supervisor who will constantly be onsite.
Civil lawsuit: If the letter was still not enough incentive for the builder
you hire is qualified, competent and reliable.



my homepage home builders tn

Anonymous said...

Thus, there are many broad options for getting to know various kinds of news
today and that too through the use of various mediums.
Office goers and people who are travelling often do not get time to read news
from the newspaper or watch it to get good information
they could subscribe for sports SMS alerts. Thus they can choose from the many available sources.


Here is my web page: Latest Daily News

Anonymous said...

The Updated funny celebrity gossips mostly consists of on the
scandals of famous or popular celebrities like
James waltz dating with David Arquette. With this amazing app Write Pad, You can
take notes by. Some programs allow a user to make the same post on multiple websites simultaneously.


My web-site http://www.ontimepledge.com/social-app/pg/profile/CliffOQI

Anonymous said...

Very descriptive post, I liked that a lot. Maybe there is a part Two?


Feel free to surf to my blog - http://web1.wade-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/moodle/user/profile.php?id=37169

Anonymous said...

Hello every one, here every person is sharing these know-how, so itís pleasant to read this blog, and I used to pay a quick visit this weblog
daily.

Here is my homepage - click through the up coming internet page

Anonymous said...

When I initially commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each
time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Cheers!

Also visit my page; http://www.biotechnologyreview.net

Anonymous said...

So just like others, if a person has interest in the fresh news updates, he can
surely give a preference to online medium for getting familiarity with these topics.
I have more stuffings in me from yesterday than I care to think about.
Due to the recent horrifying terror attacks and other such couple of events people want to be
aware and alerted of the whereabouts of the nation.

Have a look at my web-site :: Latest Daily News

Anonymous said...

No matter if some one searches for his required thing, thus he/she desires to be available that in detail, therefore that
thing is maintained over here.

My weblog; Biotechnology

Anonymous said...

Therefore parents are advised to purchase only bedding that is totally suitable for
they bed they choose. You can choose to purchase complete infant
bedding sets, which include the fitted sheet, quilt and
other accessories to enhance the beauty of the room.
Though this article might be of great help in your decision to buy a baby bassinet, try to
find out more on baby bassinets by reading reviews and other articles on
the internet.

Here is my web page www.deviantclip.org.uk

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it ;) I am going to
revisit once again since I book marked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich
and continue to help others.

Feel free to visit my weblog; Angry Birds Online Spielen

Anonymous said...

Еverуone lοves ωhat you guys аre up too.
Such сlever work and expοsurе! Keep up the gоod wοrks guys I've added you guys to my blogroll.

Here is my web site :: stock options training

Anonymous said...

Interspersed involving the Arabic numerals are dot-shaped hour markers that enhance
its style and uniqueness. The Museum watch still rules, in relation to Movado's focus, these days consumers have many more choices. A  The touch screen is an idea, that is widely used in cell phones and computer screens, in addition to supermarket checkout registers.

My webpage: ip-50-62-224-156.ip.secureserver.net

Anonymous said...

Matching to the pin buckle design and the unique square hour marking
with dazzling metal light, it created a confident and fashionable design of rock and roll music, magnificent yet personalized.
A classic and timeless design, this watch boasts a round polished and brushed stainless steel
case and bracelet, all of which is coated in
a gold-tone finish for chic sophistication. The bezels are inlaid with genuine 34 cut diamonds while subtle detailing works are accented
on the heart-shaped Krysterna crystal located above the date indicator.


Visit my webpage: armani exchange watches

Anonymous said...

I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog's content daily along with a cup of coffee.

Also visit my blog post: how to fix relationship problems

Anonymous said...

You're so cool! I do not suppose I'ѵе read thrоugh a singlе thing like thiѕ before.

Sо great to ԁiscovег another
ρerson wіth some originаl thoughts on this topic.

Sегiously.. thаnκs for
starting this uρ. This websitе is one thіng
that's needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

Here is my weblog ... www.askbobtheweirdcrap.blogspot.com