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Those @#$% Tablet Chargers!
Anton Wahlman, Contributor
03/24/11 - 07:47 AM EDT
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Remember the maze of cell phone chargers from a just a few short years ago? Yes, you had two drawers full of incompatible chargers for Nokia(NOK), Motorola, Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson and many others. Over the last three years, we evolved into just two ones: MicroUSB and Apple's(AAPL) 30-pin connector. I'd say that's a 90% improvement.
With this disease cured, a new menace has now emerged: tablet chargers. In recent weeks and months, numerous tablets have been announced, and some are already for sale, from companies such as Samsung, Motorola, Dell(DELL), LG and HTC, just to mention a few. With this new world of tablets rushing in to compete with Apple's dominant iPad market share, the world faces a new evil, and this time it's not Saddam Hussein. It's the re-emergence of the incompatible charger, this time in tablet edition.
Seriously, while Samsung, Motorola, Dell, LG, HTC and all the others managed to finally implement a single solution for their smartphones, they suddenly lost their minds with the tablet. At this week's CTIA show (the last day is Thursday), as with CES in January, I looked at all the major new tablet releases and found only headache. What are these guys thinking?
There is one refreshing exception: The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. It uses MicroUSB, and you can use this MicroUSB to charge any smartphone (except Apple's, of course). If RIM does not use this critical advantage in its advertising for the PlayBook, its marketing people should be fired.
Yes, I know there are some minor caveats to this: Some tablet makers claim that MicroUSB can be used to charge their tablets, but only at a "trickle" (i.e., extremely slow, such as nine hours) rate. But all of them ship with only a proprietary charger, which in turn cannot be used to charge regular MicroUSB smartphones. So for all relevant intents and purposes, my key point still stands in the way that 99% of people would define the issue.
I would love to be proven wrong on this. In fact, it's a big world out there and I may have missed someone who can match the RIM PlayBook in being the only tablet who passes the MicroUSB fast-charging test. If you can verify the existence of one of those, let me know!
I know this is a relatively brief point to make, but I'm shocked that nobody else seems to have talked about it, and it's worth a rant. In the meantime, it looks like RIM has scored at least one important point in its battle against all the numerous Android tablets.
At the time of publication, Wahlman long AAPL, GOOG and RIMM.
__________________ Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
I was hoping for a bigger discount through my work. 15% discount and half off the extended warranty isn't going to entice me enough to keep one. The BB Rep used the term "lucrative" when describing the discount we'd be getting (covering the taxes is hardly lucrative) and he also said BB really wanted the sales guys to have these in our hands (I make a decent paycheque, but most Staples employees aren't going to be able to shell out $476 for a tablet working for $9/hour, especially with the labour cuts this year). Well, I guess I'll be getting one, using it for a few weeks, and returning it unless someone I know wants to buy it from me.
I hope HP offers us a better deal on the TouchPad (assuming I'm still there; I'm hoping I get an Engineering job soon), especially since I'm a big fan of WebOS.
What are some reasons to get this over the iPad 2?
Smaller size, more durable, HDMI out, superior OS, Flash support, syncs w/ BB Smartphones (messaging, video calls, presentations, etc.), front and rear HD cameras (iPad2's front camera is VGA, not HD), enterprise-oriented features (secure syncing, VPN support, etc.; probably won't appeal to average consumer).
While the article that Manic posted is true, I'm not going to use the MicroUSB argument as lots of people have iPods, so they already have charging devices for the iPad2.
Oh, and you don't have to deal w/ Apple's bullshit.
WebOS and, I'm sure QNX (looking like a complete rip-off of WebOS), are leaps and bounds more advanced than iOS and Android. That's the #1 reason for me.
^ QNX is not a rip off of WebOS - it's been around for 20+ years now. The interface might be similar to WebOS, but that's just a layer on top of QNX. Posted via RS Mobile
Arguing that a platform is a non contender due to lack of apps and accessories is retarded. Everyone starts out that way. Look at android. They had nothing just a few years ago. The BB functions alone and easy integration are gonna attract corporate users.
^ QNX is not a rip off of WebOS - it's been around for 20+ years now. The interface might be similar to WebOS, but that's just a layer on top of QNX. Posted via RS Mobile
I'm aware of QNX's background.
The QNX system in the Playbook is new and, while it operates differently in the lower levels of the system compared to WebOS, it nonetheless has much of the same features, functionality, and a very similar interface that was not present prior to the Playbook. The Playbook's QNX OS is adapted from the OS they've been using for BMW's iDrive system. Are you going to tell me that iDrive is similar to WebOS ?
I'm not going to say it's a bad thing because, IMO, WebOS is the best mobile OS on the market right now (attached to some of the crappiest hardware and worst advertising). QNX on the Playbook might be better, I haven't used it yet. The guys at our head office I talked to used both (albeit the TouchPad was in an Alpha version of WebOS 3.0) and they liked the Playbook better.
I still haven't been able to get any info from anywhere as to whether or not the Playbook uses an IPS-based LCD panel, which can also be a deal breaker, IMO. BB's rep and retail hotline couldn't tell me and our HO guys had no clue what I was talking about.
While the article that Manic posted is true, I'm not going to use the MicroUSB argument as lots of people have iPods, so they already have charging devices for the iPad2.
What are some reasons to get this over the iPad 2?
if you mainly want a tablet device for personal use like games and surfing the net and so on, stay with the iPad, with its vast 3rd party programers.
the best feature of the Playbook IMO is the ability use connect it to your BB phone and use it as if you are on the phone, sending BBMs and so on...
the HDMI out is also awesome
The QNX system in the Playbook is new and, while it operates differently in the lower levels of the system compared to WebOS, it nonetheless has much of the same features, functionality, and a very similar interface that was not present prior to the Playbook. The Playbook's QNX OS is adapted from the OS they've been using for BMW's iDrive system. Are you going to tell me that iDrive is similar to WebOS ?
I'm not going to say it's a bad thing because, IMO, WebOS is the best mobile OS on the market right now (attached to some of the crappiest hardware and worst advertising). QNX on the Playbook might be better, I haven't used it yet. The guys at our head office I talked to used both (albeit the TouchPad was in an Alpha version of WebOS 3.0) and they liked the Playbook better.
I still haven't been able to get any info from anywhere as to whether or not the Playbook uses an IPS-based LCD panel, which can also be a deal breaker, IMO. BB's rep and retail hotline couldn't tell me and our HO guys had no clue what I was talking about.
QNX is far better than WebOS. WebOS is basically based off a Linux kernel. While that's not a bad thing, nothing can compete with the core of QNX. There's a reason why medcial devices in hospitals (like life support) and nuclear plants rely on QNX to run their systems. QNX never hangs up, never crashes and is extremely robust. In the rare cases where a problem does arise it can fully recover and continue working without requiring a reboot.
It's also a RTOS (real time operating system) and is used in devices where instant response to events is required. Ever had to wait, even for a second, while Windows sits there and does some background process before it responds to your mouse click? QNX never does this, and its response time can be measured in milliseconds (or even less). Again, this is why it's used in mission critical devices - you can count on it to respond when needed without worrying about some process "hogging" all the resources and making another critical process "wait" before it can respond.
People can argue the Playbook looks like WebOS, but the truth is almost every type of user interface has been used at one time or another in an operating system, web page layout, game interface or phone. It's pretty damn hard to claim you "invented" something when your interface is made up of components that have been in use for years. Putting those components together in a different fashion isn't really "inventing".
Wait, did I just sound like an Apple hater? "Apple never invents things, they just steal others ideas and market them as their own." Guess Apple isn't the only company that does that.
You can get 3rd party Apple cables for a lot less than $20, too. Maybe not $1, but still cheap.
You beat me to it. The fact is, all companies charge high prices for their own cables & adaptors. I had a Linksys router that crapped out (the one with the power adaptor) and they wanted $39.95 for a new power supply. The router only cost me $69.95.
One is a standard cable ued by cell phones, camera's, MP3 payers, portable hard drives and other things made by different manufactures the other is a cable only used with apple products.
__________________ Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
^ Basically... if you run out of battery and you're at a friends house.. they will likely have both because the MicroUSB is used widely for many products, and many people own the Apple USB due to iPods/iPhones - unless they're an Apple hater.
__________________ '00 Honda Accord V6 [sold]
'95 BMW 325i Cabriolet [RIP]
'03 VW Jetta 1.8T [RIP]
'06 BMW 330i [RIP] '02 BMW M3 '99 Honda Civic SIR [sold] '19 Civic Type R[sold] '22 MINI Cooper SE My Photojournal: simplexcars
One is a standard cable ued by cell phones, camera's, MP3 payers, portable hard drives and other things made by different manufactures the other is a cable only used with apple products.
You're trying to create a problem/find a fault where non exists.
If the Apple dock connector was only available from Apple, if Apple refused to release the specification to third party companies or if Apple charged a fortune for "licensing fees" so that third party companies couldn't make cheap Apple dock connectrors, then it might be a problem.
You're trying to create a problem/find a fault where non exists.
If the Apple dock connector was only available from Apple, if Apple refused to release the specification to third party companies or if Apple charged a fortune for "licensing fees" so that third party companies couldn't make cheap Apple dock connectrors, then it might be a problem.
As it sits now it's a non-issue.
But why make a different connector in the first place. Imagine if everyone did that. Having a different cable just adds to the cost of many consumer products.
__________________ Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
People can argue the Playbook looks like WebOS, but the truth is almost every type of user interface has been used at one time or another in an operating system, web page layout, game interface or phone. It's pretty damn hard to claim you "invented" something when your interface is made up of components that have been in use for years. Putting those components together in a different fashion isn't really "inventing".
I call it creating value in non-technical, more human terms. Doing it on small screen, portable devices has always been a challenge. But what's been done in the past few years on *touch screen input* is actually pretty innovative.
The playbook actually interest me more then the Ipad and I own a iphone 4... Main reason is the actual size.
7" I can carry it around pretty discreetly... be it to work, friends/family and maybe at my daughters soccer practice.
Only problem is I dont own a BB phone and their current line up imo is crap except for maybe the new BOLD. I dont see any reason to get it if I you dont own a BB due to no 3g/4g, email, etc.
Only problem is I dont own a BB phone and their current line up imo is crap except for maybe the new BOLD. I dont see any reason to get it if I you dont own a BB due to no 3g/4g, email, etc.
In a future software update for the BlackBerry PlayBook, we will also provide native e-mail, calendar, and contact apps for those customers who prefer to have these apps directly on the tablet.
__________________ '00 Honda Accord V6 [sold]
'95 BMW 325i Cabriolet [RIP]
'03 VW Jetta 1.8T [RIP]
'06 BMW 330i [RIP] '02 BMW M3 '99 Honda Civic SIR [sold] '19 Civic Type R[sold] '22 MINI Cooper SE My Photojournal: simplexcars
Very slick.. I love the size of this unit. And it runs so incredibly fast. I enjoyed the last video posted.
I'm still wondering if I really "need" a tablet. I mean, it's nice to have but where will I use it? When I am out I will use my BB, when im home, I will use my laptop..
Very slick.. I love the size of this unit. And it runs so incredibly fast. I enjoyed the last video posted.
I'm still wondering if I really "need" a tablet. I mean, it's nice to have but where will I use it? When I am out I will use my BB, when im home, I will use my laptop..
One of the best features has to be the HDMI out!
Know what I do with my tablet? lol... it sits on my coffee table while I use the laptop next to it. Good thing I only spent $280 on this thing
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