Are Tablets Just a Fad? Why are they wildly popular? It's not really the phone, because cell phones that you could put in your pocket already existed. It's the ability to do a wide variety of other tasks in addition to phone calls...tasks that used to be purely the domain of laptops and desktops and cameras etc. So a smartphone is a convergence device. Tablets are also convergence devices. They can perform all the same tasks that are popular on smartphones, but have some trade-offs. They don't fit in your pocket, but certain functions are better because of the larger screen: video, photos, internet browsing, reading, certain kinds of applications etc. It's not really possible to say one has a market and the other doesn't. The difference between Apple and everyone else so far is that Apple thought out their app ecosystem and OS scaling better. Even Android wasn't really ready for use on tablets when the iPad first came out...
Are Tablets Just a Fad? You're missing a key point: portability. Tablets don't fit in a pocket, which is a deal breaker for most. Something that you have to lug around in a carrying case and that requires a bunch of accessories like a laptop should have the same functionality as a laptop. But tablets don't have that. You can't even type very well on them unless you plan on taking a bluetooth keyboard around with you everywhere. Tablets have about the same level of functionality as a smartphone, but they aren't portable like a smartphone.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? So I bit the bullet and ordered a refurbed Nook Color. I plan to root it with CyanogenMod 7, OC over 1GHz, and then give it to my wife. Then I'll take her iPod touch and give it to my Mom for her birthday. The way I see it everybody wins. I get to play with a new hardware, the wife gets a new "organizer", and my Mom gets an iPod touch. The whole thing cost less than the cheapest refurbed iPod touch so I think it's a good deal. Now the only tough part is deciding if I want to replace the battery in the 2nd gen Touch. It's battery life is probably 50% of what it used to be. It'll cost me about $40 and it's a minor surgery involving soldering inside the iPod.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? This is another one of my problems with Apple kit. With all Android phones you can replace the battery without any agro but Apple seal the damn thing in and if you don't fancy doing a bit of work like you said charge you for the privilege of having it replaced.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Uhhhhh, I specifically mentioned portability and trade-offs. Smartphones have the overall portability advantage, but suffer from certain types of usability disadvantages due to the smaller screen. That's one of the reasons for the trend towards larger screens in smartphones.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Turns out it was only $25. I'll give it a go but the solder part looks difficult. I hope Radio Shack has some of the solder braid.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Another one bites the dust: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/09/poor-sales-may-have-rim-gearing-up-for-playbook-fire-sale.ars Keep your eyes peeled for a Blackberry Playbook fire sale similar to the Touchpad.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? The Amazon "Kindle" tablet is expected to go on sale on Wednesday for $250. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393592,00.asp#fbid=dGLld_0ZLqE
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Amazon just announced the Kindle Fire for $199. Kindle goes to $99 and Kindle 3G goes to $150. Also a $79 budget version of the Kindle with advertisements.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? This thing is said to have an omap4 processor (same one in the new motorola droid 3/bionic).. that makes it quite impressive especially at this pricepoint (where they should be in the first place).
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Rumor is that it will also come with 1 year of Amazon Prime which is an $80 value.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? It comes with a 30 day free trial for Prime. Also, per khaid's comment, it's the older OMAP3430 that's being used for the Fire.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Yeah, this thing would be totally awesome for amazon prime members or even people who have a lot invested into amazon music/movies/books etc. 8GB storage is kind of small for present time but everything can be streamed from amazon's market. You can view your movie on the tablet and then get home and play it back on your computer/set top box and it picks up where it last left off. I watched a quick video demo but the dude didnt mention if their media player would playback your media in amazon cloud storage.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? Did you make a number typo? The 3430 is the same thing that was in my Palm Pre in 2009. I couldn't find anything solid other than it was a dual core processor and then thisismynext is reporting omap4.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? No, it's the 3430...so it's essentially a dual-core Cortex-A8 design. The article below also mentions a second larger Amazon tablet that is meant for release in 2012, so that could be the one that has a higher price and OMAP4 processor. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/09/28/amazon_kindle_fire_aims_to_undercut_apples_ipad_with_199_price.html
Are Tablets Just a Fad? That makes alot more sense then. I was wondering how they crammed a newer processor in there at the price.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? To the Cloud! I believe anything you purchase from Amazon be it movies, music, or apps will be backed up on the cloud. In some ways it will work like Steam. You can delete stuff and then download it again later when needed. It’s not the perfect solution for storage but you won’t have to worry about losing your files.
Are Tablets Just a Fad? why wouldn't you spend the extra 20 to get it ad free? Heck find a used one for 79 or less.. that should be 59 bucks or even free with contract... is that the 3g version?