[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Nexus Tablet Expected Within 6 Months here

[HankRearden]

PCWorld, on 19 December 2011 - 09:26 AM, said:

Post your comments for Nexus Tablet Expected Within 6 Months here

I really liked Android 3.2. I guess I'm the only former Android fan who doesn't like ICS at all. I watched pretty much in horror as they announced it. I called a good friend to get his take on ICS and he felt the same way. Yet everything I read seems to point to virtually everyone in agreement that it is the best thing Google has ever done. I just don't see it.

Anyway, I think Google's biggest problem is that they need consistency. Many apps just lack polish. They have a raw look to them. The app store is difficult to use. If they could improve that it would really help. Another big issue is that the hardware manufacturers don't seem to care too much about quality. These guys really dropped the ball at least for me. I had four different devices and they all failed to function well. It's just crazy that they are so bent on releasing so many new products instead of releasing quality products. I don't think Google has any control over that, and as a result I don't think Eric is in a position to make these promises.

[bankerdanny]

I hope Google is smart enough to do three things: (1) include an SD slot (2) at least 1gb of hard memory available for apps (I am running out of space on my EVO 4G which has ~428MB) and (3) undercut the iPad by at least $50.

Android ICS should be just as good an OS as iOS5 (although tablet specific apps are still lagging) and matching or exceeding the hardware spcs should not be hard.

[nonseq]

HankRearden, on 19 December 2011 - 09:51 AM, said:

PCWorld, on 19 December 2011 - 09:26 AM, said:

Post your comments for Nexus Tablet Expected Within 6 Months here

It's just crazy that they are so bent on releasing so many new products instead of releasing quality products. I don't think Google has any control over that, and as a result I don't think Eric is in a position to make these promises.

Isn't that one of the major problems with Android devices? These are equipment manufacturers who need to keep their manufacturing capacity filled so they do a minimum of "visioneering" (Apologies to Walt Disney), design, and interface development to focus churning out model after model. Idle capacity is death to a manufacturer. Such capacity comes, more often than not, with debt and debt service regardless if the capacity is being utilized.

Samsung, for example, churn out many different models using off the shelf componentry and simililar engineering in order to "throw stuff on the wall to see what sticks" and then they throw an OS on the device. Their commitment to concept, design, and OS is not as great as their commitment to keeping the manufacturing pipeline full. It's an approach that ultimately finds a large percentage of products languishing on retailer shelves or blowing off those shelves at fire sale price points.

So yes, there may be a Nexus tablet soon, but it would have the attention to design, quality of construction, and the user experience that a tablet from another manufacturer, not pressured about keeping capacity business, will have.

[PulSamsara]

Will Motorola produce this tablet ? Will it be the first Googlerola project ?

[HankRearden]

nonseq, on 19 December 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

Isn't that one of the major problems with Android devices? These are equipment manufacturers who need to keep their manufacturing capacity filled so they do a minimum of "visioneering" (Apologies to Walt Disney), design, and interface development to focus churning out model after model. Idle capacity is death to a manufacturer. Such capacity comes, more often than not, with debt and debt service regardless if the capacity is being utilized.

Samsung, for example, churn out many different models using off the shelf componentry and simililar engineering in order to "throw stuff on the wall to see what sticks" and then they throw an OS on the device. Their commitment to concept, design, and OS is not as great as their commitment to keeping the manufacturing pipeline full. It's an approach that ultimately finds a large percentage of products languishing on retailer shelves or blowing off those shelves at fire sale price points.

So yes, there may be a Nexus tablet soon, but it would have the attention to design, quality of construction, and the user experience that a tablet from another manufacturer, not pressured about keeping capacity business, will have.

Nonseq,

I do believe you raised an interesting thesis. From Samsung's point of view, is it so hard to take excess yield and turn it into a product that can be sold at a higher profit? So what we'd need to know is if this is indeed excess capacity. If the cost to them is essentially nothing or not much greater than the existing cost. Kind of like giving factory workers the chore of sweeping the floor during slow periods. They are there collecting a wage so why not find something for them to do. If I understand what you are saying it is this?

Apple's mobile devices are where most of their profits derive. For Apple, the attention to detail is simply essential to the health of the company. I think everyone can agree on that.

For Google, their profits come from the Search Engine and keeping people using their products drives the signals that makes their search algorithm achieve good results. Google needs you to use their services to drive their ad business both directly and indirectly. Meaning even if there is no add in your Gmail on Android, there is on the web version and they hope to keep you as a client in the hopes that you will see their ads one way or another. I think we can all agree on that point as well.

Samsung and LG make most of their money by making all kinds of consumer products as well as being the contract manufacturer for others. In other words, a Samsung Blu-ray player is pretty much on par with an LG Blu-ray player. They don't really sit down and decide how to own the market through high-quality and innovation. They merely make the products to drive a small profit on each unit, but drive volume sales. It's up to Hollywood to create the films and drive the demand of the Blu-ray hardware player. Samsung's role is that of filling the demand of the hardware.

Sony and HTC I see differently. They did rely on their consumer products for the direct health of their company profits. And it seems to show. At least it used to with Sony and it still does with HTC to a degree. What about Samsung and LG?

Well, I have to admit that the worst Android devices I had where from LG and Samsung. Those being the LG G2X and the G-Slate both from LG and on the Samsung side, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Nexus S. To say I am disappointed with these products is an understatement. While I was traveling overseas, I literally gave away the G2x for free. Just said, here ya go. You can use this overseas and gave it away to a Verizon user so he could have a device he could pop a sim into. I checked Gazelle and the value of the device in perfect condition was $16. So much for resale value. Both the G-Slate and the Galaxy Tab are still in my possession in the closet with lots of other junk I'm likely not to ever use again.

Samsung does make quite a few phones. They do sell a lot of phones annually. However, I don't think they invest a whole lot in their phones. Most of the phones are just junk phones you buy for almost nothing. They've got a lot of good press going lately over the Galaxy SII and the Prime. That being said, I think in just two or three months, HTC will have a flagship phone that gains all the news that Samsung had. And three months after that, Samsung will have yet another phone. And if you look at any of these carriers you'll find that there are likely 10 different Android phones from each manufacturer for sale. That might be a slight exaggeration but I bet I'm pretty close on that score. I don't think I've seen a single update for the Galaxy Tab. The G-Slate went from 3.1 to 3.2 is all. No one at LG ever decides the keystoke sensing is right or wrong and fixed it. The problems with their tablets are largely ignored and they move on. That's my honest take on their devices. Four Galaxy Tabs in a row, a G-Slat, a G2X and the Nexus S all combine to form that opinion.

So Nonseq, I do agree with you. I think it's a good point.

[CaniblCat]

PulSamsara, on 19 December 2011 - 10:44 AM, said:

Will Motorola produce this tablet ? Will it be the first Googlerola project ?

As there's no guarantee they will actually own Motorola by then, and that the rumors are calling it a "Nexus" tablet, my money is on Samsung

[HankRearden]

PulSamsara, on 19 December 2011 - 10:44 AM, said:

Will Motorola produce this tablet ? Will it be the first Googlerola project ?

It really should be. Google needs to start making this a business onto itself. Making money on the hardware and the software. Hopefully then they will put better efforts into it. Right now, spending $12 billion on Motorola may not really buy them much. I think they bought Motorola merely to prevent Motorola from suing Samsung, LG and HTC, thus creating more problems for Android. What that really shows me is that Google just stepped on everyone's toes and decided they would somehow fix it later. Kind of like they did with that book scanning thing they did. Just went and did it, got sued and starting fixing it after.

Looking inward, I used to praise Google. Now I don't. And I wonder why that is. Did simply switching from Android to iOS change my whole perception of Google? Sadly I'm inclined to believe that statement, which doesn't say much for me at all. It would mean I'm blinded easily in my opinion simply buy owning a device. It does look that way though. Nothing is really changed, and yet I'm seeing Google completely differently these days.

You really have to use both products for a long while I think. Some of the things Android has are truly amazing. The Maps are a good example of this. They are just the best darn maps out there. The GMail email app is so very nice too. The thing is, it doesn't render the email nearly as well as the iOS email app. It beats iOS on features, but the basic rendering of the email itself lacks like crazy. And that's how this all goes. The camera in the iPhone takes a better picture. Siri is much better verbal control than what is in Android. I used it everyday on Android, but with Siri, I use it every hour if not more. The media capabilities are much better on iOS. They exist on Android, but in parts. Get Audio Books from Audible, movies from yourself or from Samsung's limited store. Get Music from Amazon. Or just use iTunes and get everything from a single source which is much easier.

Android is capable, just not polished. It's good looking, to some degree, but rushed and it shows. In other words, Android lacks the quality and refinement Apple has worked so hard to create.

[KLanD]

I'm actually kinda ho-hum about this tablet. Maybe that's good.

I like being surprised, but I'm not expecting to be.

[Kaffeguy]

HankRearden, on 19 December 2011 - 11:07 AM, said:

PulSamsara, on 19 December 2011 - 10:44 AM, said:

Will Motorola produce this tablet ? Will it be the first Googlerola project ?

It really should be. Google needs to start making this a business onto itself. Making money on the hardware and the software. Hopefully then they will put better efforts into it. Right now, spending $12 billion on Motorola may not really buy them much. I think they bought Motorola merely to prevent Motorola from suing Samsung, LG and HTC, thus creating more problems for Android. What that really shows me is that Google just stepped on everyone's toes and decided they would somehow fix it later. Kind of like they did with that book scanning thing they did. Just went and did it, got sued and starting fixing it after.

Looking inward, I used to praise Google. Now I don't. And I wonder why that is. Did simply switching from Android to iOS change my whole perception of Google? Sadly I'm inclined to believe that statement, which doesn't say much for me at all. It would mean I'm blinded easily in my opinion simply buy owning a device. It does look that way though. Nothing is really changed, and yet I'm seeing Google completely differently these days.

You really have to use both products for a long while I think. Some of the things Android has are truly amazing. The Maps are a good example of this. They are just the best darn maps out there. The GMail email app is so very nice too. The thing is, it doesn't render the email nearly as well as the iOS email app. It beats iOS on features, but the basic rendering of the email itself lacks like crazy. And that's how this all goes. The camera in the iPhone takes a better picture. Siri is much better verbal control than what is in Android. I used it everyday on Android, but with Siri, I use it every hour if not more. The media capabilities are much better on iOS. They exist on Android, but in parts. Get Audio Books from Audible, movies from yourself or from Samsung's limited store. Get Music from Amazon. Or just use iTunes and get everything from a single source which is much easier.

Android is capable, just not polished. It's good looking, to some degree, but rushed and it shows. In other words, Android lacks the quality and refinement Apple has worked so hard to create.

I agree with what you wrote. I enjoy certain things about Android. Yet IOS is much smoother and some aspects perform better. I still prefer Android to Apple's iPhone. Google need to pick one manufacturer and and release updates, or have the different manufacturers but have stock Android. This way all phones will be updated as the updates come out. They need to have a tighter rope on application programmers, not as strict as Apple's but they need to test out their products before they can place it on the market. I have been using a Window's 7.5 Mango for 2 days and in some ways it appears to run in "unison" for lack of a better word than Android. Like IOS, you pick it up and there is no learning curve.

[HankRearden]

Kaffeguy, on 19 December 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

I agree with what you wrote. I enjoy certain things about Android. Yet IOS is much smoother and some aspects perform better. I still prefer Android to Apple's iPhone. Google need to pick one manufacturer and and release updates, or have the different manufacturers but have stock Android. This way all phones will be updated as the updates come out. They need to have a tighter rope on application programmers, not as strict as Apple's but they need to test out their products before they can place it on the market. I have been using a Window's 7.5 Mango for 2 days and in some ways it appears to run in "unison" for lack of a better word than Android. Like IOS, you pick it up and there is no learning curve.

I've owned pretty much everything and yet I can't bring myself to try Windows Phone 7.5. I just can't stand that Metro interface. And truth be told, that Siri thing, once you get used to it, can't be done without. I'm hopelessly hooked on that one feature.

[karthiq]

nonseq, on 19 December 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

HankRearden, on 19 December 2011 - 09:51 AM, said:

PCWorld, on 19 December 2011 - 09:26 AM, said:

Post your comments for Nexus Tablet Expected Within 6 Months here

It's just crazy that they are so bent on releasing so many new products instead of releasing quality products. I don't think Google has any control over that, and as a result I don't think Eric is in a position to make these promises.

Isn't that one of the major problems with Android devices? These are equipment manufacturers who need to keep their manufacturing capacity filled so they do a minimum of "visioneering" (Apologies to Walt Disney), design, and interface development to focus churning out model after model. Idle capacity is death to a manufacturer. Such capacity comes, more often than not, with debt and debt service regardless if the capacity is being utilized.

Samsung, for example, churn out many different models using off the shelf componentry and simililar engineering in order to "throw stuff on the wall to see what sticks" and then they throw an OS on the device. Their commitment to concept, design, and OS is not as great as their commitment to keeping the manufacturing pipeline full. It's an approach that ultimately finds a large percentage of products languishing on retailer shelves or blowing off those shelves at fire sale price points.

So yes, there may be a Nexus tablet soon, but it would have the attention to design, quality of construction, and the user experience that a tablet from another manufacturer, not pressured about keeping capacity business, will have.

I think samsungs thinking changed in 2010 after seeing apples profits.They were like you said until last year esp with the first gen of android phones.But since last year they started to change and the proof of it is the gs2.

[jdelsro19]

Kaffeguy, on 19 December 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

HankRearden, on 19 December 2011 - 11:07 AM, said:

PulSamsara, on 19 December 2011 - 10:44 AM, said:

Will Motorola produce this tablet ? Will it be the first Googlerola project ?

It really should be. Google needs to start making this a business onto itself. Making money on the hardware and the software. Hopefully then they will put better efforts into it. Right now, spending $12 billion on Motorola may not really buy them much. I think they bought Motorola merely to prevent Motorola from suing Samsung, LG and HTC, thus creating more problems for Android. What that really shows me is that Google just stepped on everyone's toes and decided they would somehow fix it later. Kind of like they did with that book scanning thing they did. Just went and did it, got sued and starting fixing it after.

Looking inward, I used to praise Google. Now I don't. And I wonder why that is. Did simply switching from Android to iOS change my whole perception of Google? Sadly I'm inclined to believe that statement, which doesn't say much for me at all. It would mean I'm blinded easily in my opinion simply buy owning a device. It does look that way though. Nothing is really changed, and yet I'm seeing Google completely differently these days.

You really have to use both products for a long while I think. Some of the things Android has are truly amazing. The Maps are a good example of this. They are just the best darn maps out there. The GMail email app is so very nice too. The thing is, it doesn't render the email nearly as well as the iOS email app. It beats iOS on features, but the basic rendering of the email itself lacks like crazy. And that's how this all goes. The camera in the iPhone takes a better picture. Siri is much better verbal control than what is in Android. I used it everyday on Android, but with Siri, I use it every hour if not more. The media capabilities are much better on iOS. They exist on Android, but in parts. Get Audio Books from Audible, movies from yourself or from Samsung's limited store. Get Music from Amazon. Or just use iTunes and get everything from a single source which is much easier.

Android is capable, just not polished. It's good looking, to some degree, but rushed and it shows. In other words, Android lacks the quality and refinement Apple has worked so hard to create.

I agree with what you wrote. I enjoy certain things about Android. Yet IOS is much smoother and some aspects perform better. I still prefer Android to Apple's iPhone. Google need to pick one manufacturer and and release updates, or have the different manufacturers but have stock Android. This way all phones will be updated as the updates come out. They need to have a tighter rope on application programmers, not as strict as Apple's but they need to test out their products before they can place it on the market. I have been using a Window's 7.5 Mango for 2 days and in some ways it appears to run in "unison" for lack of a better word than Android. Like IOS, you pick it up and there is no learning curve.

Both of you make some good points. The one problem here that you don't mention is the carriers stranglehold over phones in general. Google has tried to sell phones but consumers are not interested. Phone manufacturers would love to just sell phones and not specific phones for each carrier. So here's the problem with so many different phones out there. The manufacturers just want to sell phones so they have to do what the carriers want and that's what needs to change. Apple so far is the only company able to sell a phone without having interference from the carriers because they have a product so popular that if you're a carrier and you don't sell it you're losing out on a lot of potential customers. Other phone manufacturers don't have this luxury and just want to sell devices anyway, so the carriers get control over all those phones. The whole business model needs to change and this will never happen as long as consumers buy subsidized phones, that's what gives the carriers the control they have.
When HTC makes a good phone and they have many, they have to make pretty much one model for the world and 4 different models for the U.S. In this day and age, there is no reason that one phone model could not be used with any carrier. Phones should be able to use GSM or CDMA technology, have all the radio frequencies for any carriers data and should be able to run any mobile software the consumer chooses. Carriers should sell service only as that's what they are in the business of and phones should be sold like any other electronic device or computer. Phone manufacturers could refuse to bow to the carriers pressures but they just want to sell phones, consumers could stop buying subsidized phones but they are brainwashed into thinking they can't afford a new phone without subsidy and then have to be in contracts for 2 years to save a couple hundred dollars if that. They have no choice on whether or not they want or need to have a data plan, this should be a choice and it should be illegal for it not to be, and end up getting stuck with a cell phone bill that is outrageous.
Just go to most any other country and you can buy any phone you choose and go to a kiosk almost anywhere and buy what you want for your phone, no contracts, no data if you don't want it, just service that you choose. Almost every problem with phones today is caused by the carriers in one way or another. Only when consumers decide to make the changes needed will this business model change and that's not going to happen any time soon because of that shiny new phone that just came out and you can get it for "only" $200 or now they are $300. In 6 months I can go to ebay and buy that same phone, brand new for the same price and then choose who I want to buy my service from, and it won't be the big three. The options are out there, just not with Verizon, AT&T or Sprint. They are the biggest for a reason and it's not because of great service or great prices, it's because they make the most profit per customer for two years for every phone they "sell".
Apple makes a great phone OS, it's easy to use and gets things done that most people want. Android is also a great OS, but it's not for everyone, it's very powerful and very easy to customize if you are willing to learn all what can be done with it. WinMobile is also getting very good reviews but are more like Apple with their software. Whatever works for you is what you should use. I like to install new ROM's and change software on my phones and tinker with them, that's not for everyone, so when someone asks me what kind of phone they should get I can't recommend an Android phone all the time, it just depends on the person. I want full control of my phone so it has to be a phone that can be rooted and unlocked for whatever carrier I choose to use this month or next month. I have used more phones than anyone I know, most are HTC phones because they are the easiest to tinker with.
I have tried to talk family members and friends out of their phone contracts and most will not budge, even after I show them how much money they can save. I hear stuff like not wanting to change phone numbers, coverage is good for such and such a company, etc. All I can say is do you like to have to wait 2 years every time you want a new phone or want to change companies, you have no choice and that means more to me than a couple hundred dollars for a shiny new phone.
I would say that 75% of smart phone users could spend $30/month and still get enough minutes, texting and data. If you are with the big three you are spending at least $70/month most likely more and there are no $30/month plans with the big three.
Prepaid monthly plans are the way to go and are becoming more and more popular, there is a reason for this. No surprise charges, lower costs and no contracts. You won't find these plans with the big three, they don't need to do it....yet. I can buy any Verizon phone I want on ebay (iPhone excluded) go to another company and pay as little as $12/month for minutes, text, and data with no contract and I'm using the Verizon network so the coverage is the same. I can buy any GSM phone I want and there are at least 2 companies who I can activate that phone with for $30 or less. T-mobile is one of them, no contracts, no data if I don't want it and no surprise over charges, the same price every month all taxes and fees included and I can change plans at my leisure, Choice, it's a wonderful thing.
Hopefully Google is the next company that can stop the carriers control, Apple does their part and Microsoft has the clout to do it also. It will happen someday but it should have happened years ago. The day that we all can walk into a Best-buy or Wal-mart store, but any phone we choose with no contracts, no carrier involvement, take that new phone home and then decide what carrier we feel like using that day or next month or whenever we choose. One phone that works with any carrier, anywhere in the world, that will truly be the business model of choice for the consumer, only having to buy service like we do now with our ISP on our computers that we choose what OS to run and can change our mind anytime we want. Cheers!

[Rainmakernkjs]

bankerdanny, on 19 December 2011 - 09:54 AM, said:

I hope Google is smart enough to do three things: (1) include an SD slot (2) at least 1gb of hard memory available for apps (I am running out of space on my EVO 4G which has ~428MB) and (3) undercut the iPad by at least $50.

Android ICS should be just as good an OS as iOS5 (although tablet specific apps are still lagging) and matching or exceeding the hardware spcs should not be hard.

Dude, where do you live?! Every Chinese tablet manufacturer for the last couple of years does those "three things", except no one uses SD on tablets, but microSD. And the flash memory is minimum 4GB.