iPad3 March 7, 2012

[Retired]

Apple announces event March 7 in San Francisco; launch of iPad 3 expected

Is this expected to be an improvement? Does this mean there will be price reductions on iPad2?

Is the iPad still worth considering compared to Android tablets?

Are tablets currently overpriced for what they really are?

 

[Daniel E.]

Are tablets currently overpriced for what they really are?

How can you put a price on a miracle?

But yes, I consider my iPad to be an expensive but wonderful PDF and Kindle reader.

---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 PM ----------

In related news, HP expects to have a Windows 8 tablet out by the end of the year:

Microsoft sees future in Windows 8 amid iPad rise - Yahoo! News

"The biggest question hanging over Windows 8 is whether the long wait for the software will leave Microsoft hopelessly behind Apple and Google in mobile computing."

 

[Retired]

I read today, somewhere Microsoft is planning to release the beta of Windows 8 touch screen version Operating System soon, if not already released. I guess that should suggest a Fall 2012 release.

Windows 8 would be the OS used in the next series of laptops and desktops. Is it the intention to also provide Win8 OS in tablets to gain a foothold in that market and compete with Android and iPad?

 

[Daniel E.]

Windows 8 Samsung tablet hands-on video review - Slideshow | ExtremeTech

Top five tablets for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview - Software - Feature - HEXUS.net

---------- Post added February 29th, 2012 at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was February 28th, 2012 at 11:41 PM ----------

Too much of Windows 8's fate resides on partnerships, though. It depends on hardware, affordability, how closely the pitch to consumers matches the reality of adoption, and, frankly, what Apple does. Ultimately, Microsoft has control over only one of those, and it's only partial at that.


There's a long, narrow road ahead for Windows 8. It could be the next big thing, but there's not much room for missteps.

Read more: Windows 8 Beta: Hands-on with Microsoft's tablet-friendly OS | Mobile World Congress - CNET Reviews
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[Daniel E.]

Published 4 hours ago:

Windows 8 could leapfrog Android to be the true iPad competitor | Crave - CNET

 

[Daniel E.]

10 ways Windows 8 beats the iPad

 

[Retired]

Let me get this straight...is Windows8 intended as an operating system for tablets, or is the intention to turn laptops and deasktops into tablet type devices, or are laptops and powerhouse workhorse machines a thing of the past to be replaced by super tablets?

 

[Daniel E.]

On a desktop or laptop, you get the old desktop experience plus the new stuff. You can switch between both worlds -- the Windows 7-like desktop and the Metro (tablet-like) desktop.

I tried the beta a couple days ago, and I liked it. My favorite feature is the Windows 8 App Store, which only had about 70+ apps when I checked it, most of which will continue to be free. My favorite Metro app, though, was already installed -- MSN Messenger, which looks more business-like in Windows 8.

 

[Retired]

Thanks for the clarification, Daniel!

So if I understand correctly, Windows 8 has two interfaces that can be chosen by the user depending on preference, but both interfaces would have identical functionality, right?

Does that mean the the Windows 7-like desktop would allow touch screen functionality?

Does touch screen funtionality require a screen made to be used as a touch screen, or can currently non touch screens become touch screens? (I'm not familiar with the hardware requirements).

 

[Daniel E.]

Does that mean the the Windows 7-like desktop would allow touch screen functionality?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure, since someone was saying they could use Word on their tablet, and there isn't a Metro version of Word yet.

But if one is using a tablet, it may also depend on the processor one has since the ARM processors won't run x86 programs unless they are recompiled by the developer.

So you may want to look online for info as I really haven't read much on that aspect of it.

---------- Post added at 10:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 AM ----------

I think the point I would make is that it is all about the apps, specifically the new, different type of apps that will be available using the new Metro UI. The apps using the Metro UI look very good visually, even though they are less functional in scope than some traditional, large, bulky Windows apps with file menus with 100 different options. So people will be attracted to the new user experience for apps for simple tasks like Facebook, Twitter, reading The New York Times, adding notes to Evernote, ect. For example, you could have a Twitter app and a Facebook app in the same window with Metro apps -- just like with Windows 7 -- which is not possible with the iPad. And then when you get bored of that, you can multitask back to traditional Windows apps like MS Word that do need 100+ menu commands.

So it's a little bit like having an iPad on your laptop in that you can have iPad-like apps regarding the visual UI experience, even if you don't have the hardware for a touch experience.