Sales of Big Smartphones Are Totally Killing Tablets

[A Guy]

Tablet PC shipments fell in the first quarter of 2014 for the first time, a sign that customers are turning to large-screen smartphones instead of products like the Apple iPad.

56 million tablets were shipped worldwide between January and March this year, down from 59 million one year ago, according to a new report by NPD DisplaySearch. Along with delayed launches of new products, a major reason for the decline is that the rising popularity of smartphones 5.5 inches and larger is drawing in longtime users of smaller tablets.

Source

A Guy

 

[lehnerus2000]

Interesting.

We must be entering the "Post-Tablet" world.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

If you go back through some of my posts about a year ago I said tablets were just a "nine days wonder" and that any decent smart phone would eventually be able to do the work of a tablet.

What I DO like and this is where the market is heading -- totally unpredicted by those RUBBISH consultancies like GARTNER (again) and IDC is in the "convertible" market.

I've just got myself a Surface Pro 3 and LOVE it -- it totally replaces my laptop - it's incredibly portable and I now can do all I want with a SINGLE device than have to use two -- don't need an Ipad type of thing at all.

With the docking station, THREE proper USB3 ports(on the docking station), excellent screen resolution, ability to project video WIRELESSLY into smart TV's for Power point presentations (where touch IS useful - even in an office environment - scrolling to next slide etc is easier than using a mouse), and able to connect to HUGE external monitors I've nothing to complain about. When travelling I simply watch a movie in "Tablet mode".

To me you've got utterly the best of BOTH a laptop AND a tablet - and it's more powerful in every way than my older heavier laptop (and with new security at airports - battery lasts a lot longer too !!).

@anybody who has given / gone to Office type presentations / meetings -- with laptops there's problem of cables, power outlets, mice, keyboards, Video cables to access TV / projector etc etc.

Taking a surface pro - battery lasts hours - no need for power outlets during a typical meeting, video can be wirelessly transmitted to TV screen so no hassle when different people have to show stuff (unplugging VGA / HDMI cables etc) , much easier to scroll through presentation -- makes a much easier and more orderly meeting. Also with minimal power outlets you don't get "Baked to death" in a large meeting with 30 laptops all in heavy use !!!! - Also the Surface pro being a Windows device can connect to standard corporate applications like SAP GUI -- also useful in these meetings when demoing new functionality for users before rolling out upgrade to SAP / other ERP etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea I don't see how people surf the internet on a cell phone the screens are just too freaking small,
even 5.5. is dinky for me scrolling with a decent zoom rate is a pain too side to side ....

Possibly it will take time for peoples eyes to explode from strain

 

[King Arthur]

Yea I don't see how people surf the internet on a cell phone the screens are just too freaking small,
even 5.5. is dinky for me scrolling with a decent zoom rate is a pain too side to side ....

Possibly it will take time for peoples eyes to explode from strain

While I use my smartphone to lightly go over news sites like Slashdot and ArsTechnica when I'm out eating lunch, I still find the experience less than pleasurable owing to how fat and clunky the Human Finger is as opposed to a precision pointing instrument such as a mouse. I've clicked on the wrong link or long-pressed on a link only to get a menu for something else so many times it greatly annoys me.

Of course something like a pen or stylus somewhat addresses the clunkiness of the Human Finger, but then you come across the problem of where you're going to store a pen/stylus so you don't inevitably lose it.

 

[Madgic]

King Arthur, I SO agree; I use my Galaxy Note III for eBay bidding when I'm not home, but as soon as I get home it's desktop all the way!

 

[RBS7]

I was drooling over a Nexus 7, learning how to turn it into phone. It's exactly what I want

 

[HammerHead]

Never Ending Story

What goes around comes around as the screens get larger on these toys they will reach a point (when they are really useful), they will need a desk to set on. :roflmao:

 

[Iforgot]

What goes around comes around as the screens get larger on these toys they will reach a point (when they are really useful), they will need a desk to set on. :roflmao:

And take a phone call

just think what the size of your pockets you will need :shock:
really baggy pants

 

[jimbo45]

Yea I don't see how people surf the internet on a cell phone the screens are just too freaking small,
even 5.5. is dinky for me scrolling with a decent zoom rate is a pain too side to side ....

Possibly it will take time for peoples eyes to explode from strain

While I use my smartphone to lightly go over news sites like Slashdot and ArsTechnica when I'm out eating lunch, I still find the experience less than pleasurable owing to how fat and clunky the Human Finger is as opposed to a precision pointing instrument such as a mouse. I've clicked on the wrong link or long-pressed on a link only to get a menu for something else so many times it greatly annoys me.

Of course something like a pen or stylus somewhat addresses the clunkiness of the Human Finger, but then you come across the problem of where you're going to store a pen/stylus so you don't inevitably lose it.

Hi there

LUNCH should be for eating LUNCH, taking a break from work, resting the mind etc -- not surfing the internet / reading email, using twitter or "farcebook" etc etc.

In our group when we are at a pub or restaurant - all phones are SWITCHED OFF and OUT OF SIGHT -- the only exception is if we have to decide an argument with Google or we need to see the latest result of an in play sporting fixture. Anybody who breaks this rule buys the drinks for ALL of us (up to 6 people) for the rest of the session. People soon learn and it's much more pleasurable than seeing a whole load of phones on a restaurant / café table. People need to take a BREAK especially from work -- no job is that important that people have to devote 24 hrs a day to it.

Mind you we probably now are regarded as a group of "old Codgers" !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

[King Arthur]

I only go over the news while I'm waiting between ordering my food and eating it, nothing much to do during that besides just sitting on my laurels anyway. Of course if I'm actually eating my food or conversing with someone the phone's in the pocket unless we need to Google or Wiki something for whatever reason.

 

[margrave]

If phones were phones and nothing else, much of the problem would disappear.

I really have a hard time understanding how people can be so glued to their phones (and tablets). Get a life!

If I'm not at home or at work, there is no computer, no tablet, no smart phone.
Plain phone, yes. Smart phone, no. And the phone is seldom used.

 

[A Guy]

just think what the size of your pockets you will need :shock:
really baggy pants

A Guy

 

[Iforgot]

just think what the size of your pockets you will need :shock:
really baggy pants

A Guy

If he used it for a phone too, and used headphones and ear piece.......
He could talk through his ass....

Or wireless........ "tap" and go.