IS THE MICROSOFT SURFACE TABLET GOING TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING

The mobile market is getting ready to be hit with the Microsoft Surface tablet.  Although I don’t think it will be an iPad “killer”, which I don’t think there ever will be, I do believe that it will hold up and give the iPad a little competition.

The biggest reason it will compete with the iPad is the same thing that Apple has done with all their devices, making them work together.  Apple’s OS X is getting a big upgrade with the Mountain Lion coming out this summer and it is said to be more like a mobile operating system that will work together with the iPad and iPhone.  So you can work on any one of their devices and pick up where you left off using another.

With Window’s 8 coming out and Microsoft gearing up for the desktop and mobile version along with the Surface tablet that will run Window’s 8, I believe they have seen what Apple has done and will try to create the same experience for Window’s users, which let’s face it, is over 50% of computers users today.

This is where Google’s Android operating system has failed.  They have really only focused on one device, the smartphone.  Sure, they will still keep a chunk of the smartphone market because it seems to be the “cool” thing to have now and with them keeping up with newer versions of their OS, will continue to be up there with Apple, but watch out because with this three punch Window’s 8 bit, Microsoft will be stepping up.

Usually with competition comes lower prices in order to compete, but don’t expect this with Apple.  They are in a world and league of their own and I don’t think any competition you see will make them lower any of their prices.  They have a standard and with lowering prices just to compete will bring down their high status symbol that Steve Jobs has worked hard to establish.

The only downfall I could see with this mobile version of Window’s 8 is that the current Window’s smartphones will not be able to upgrade, you will have to buy an actual Window’s 8 phone or hopefully your contract is coming up and upgrade at that point.  Apple upgrades their mobile OS, but generally will allow the last two handsets to handle the upgrade getting it into more users hands.  The iPhone 4 and 4s should be able to upgrade to the iOS 6 that is coming this fall.

Time will only tell if the iPad will see its first real competition hit the market and as long as they don’t take the Blackberry/RIM road and stupid marketing tactics, I think we will.

Talk soon,

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AMAZON HAS RELEASED THE KINDLE FIRE AND IT’S NO MYSTERY OTHERS ARE CALLING THIS THE IPAD KILLER

Well the time has come once again with what some are saying is the next iPad killer.  Amazon has released their new Kindle Fire with an all new look and OS.  It’s just Android with a lot of tweaks Amazon is saying.  So why is this the next big thing that will kill the iPad?  Bigger companies like Samsung and Motorola released their tablets and guess what, they were said to be the next gadget to put the iPad in it’s grave.  Neither one has succeeded, so why does Amazon think they got what it takes?

They don’t and no tablet has yet to meet the makers match.  All the Kindle Fire is is a glorified e-book reader with some extra punches, without a camera, mic and doesn’t come in 3G.  Sure it’s a great device, but no where near what an iPad has to offer.  I really do like all the 7″ tablets that are coming out and I think Apple needs to start considering offering a 7″ version of the iPad with a lower price.  I think what’s going to draw people to the Kindle Fire is the price.  We just saw the HP Touchpad go on sale for a record low $99 and completely sold out of stores and online in record time.  People were then reselling them for up to $250 and still selling out of them.  So we know price point is huge in the tablet world.  With this thing selling for $199, it’s definately going to a good thing for Amazon.

Now if Amazon really wants to compete with the iPad, it’s going to have to drop the Kindle name and start with a new fresh and hip name.  When the Kindle was first introduced it was nothing more than an e-book reader.  Each version after that added a couple extras, but still it was an e-book reader in peoples minds.  So Amazon has cornered themselves with this Kindle name and it’s going to be hard for people to think of that name as a true media tablet like the others.

I think the Kindle Fire is a nice tablet, but just isn’t close to kill the competition.  What are your thoughts?

Talk soon,

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