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Tablets Galore, But Apple May Still Ship 40 Million iPads Next Year
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
December 6, 2010 By: Eric Gakstatter
Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact,
it's barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth
another look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users
adopting tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is
application software. Having a tablet computer without application
software is sort of like having a desktop computer without office
software (e-mail, word processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to
use with it. Without application software, a tablet computer (or any
computer for that matter) is just an expensive paperweight.
With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the
end of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up
everywhere in geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something,
that doesn't seem to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own
an iPad and swear they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very
few, if any that I know, are using them for serious geospatial
applications. It begs the question "Why?"
The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an
expensive endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft,
Microsoft Windows made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop
application software. There are literally tens of thousands of software
tools that developers can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop
application software. Furthermore, the market for computers running
Windows is a lot bigger than for any other operating system (Linux,
Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software companies can't financially justify
developing and maintaining applications for more than one operating
system. Of course, in that case developers will invariably choose the
Windows platform because that's the biggest market.
The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From
a software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows.
Basically, it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS.
Most likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform
because that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the
iPad/iPhone/iPod devices become a hot commodity like they have.
Certainly, as a software developer, you're debating whether to start
developing for the iOS operating system. That's not an easy decision. In
fact, for a smaller company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble
that could sink a small software company if the wrong decision is made.
For the rest of the story, see:
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
December 6, 2010 By: Eric Gakstatter
Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact,
it's barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth
another look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users
adopting tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is
application software. Having a tablet computer without application
software is sort of like having a desktop computer without office
software (e-mail, word processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to
use with it. Without application software, a tablet computer (or any
computer for that matter) is just an expensive paperweight.
With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the
end of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up
everywhere in geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something,
that doesn't seem to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own
an iPad and swear they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very
few, if any that I know, are using them for serious geospatial
applications. It begs the question "Why?"
The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an
expensive endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft,
Microsoft Windows made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop
application software. There are literally tens of thousands of software
tools that developers can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop
application software. Furthermore, the market for computers running
Windows is a lot bigger than for any other operating system (Linux,
Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software companies can't financially justify
developing and maintaining applications for more than one operating
system. Of course, in that case developers will invariably choose the
Windows platform because that's the biggest market.
The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From
a software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows.
Basically, it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS.
Most likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform
because that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the
iPad/iPhone/iPod devices become a hot commodity like they have.
Certainly, as a software developer, you're debating whether to start
developing for the iOS operating system. That's not an easy decision. In
fact, for a smaller company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble
that could sink a small software company if the wrong decision is made.
For the rest of the story, see:
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
> December 6, 2010 By: Eric Gakstatter
> Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
> iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
> quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
> tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
> decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
> stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
> Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
> From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact, it's
> barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth another
> look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users adopting
> tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is application
> software. Having a tablet computer without application software is sort of
> like having a desktop computer without office software (e-mail, word
> processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to use with it. Without
> application software, a tablet computer (or any computer for that matter)
> is just an expensive paperweight.
> With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the end
> of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up everywhere in
> geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't seem
> to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own an iPad and swear
> they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very few, if any that I
> know, are using them for serious geospatial applications. It begs the
> question "Why?"
> The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
> Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
> Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an expensive
> endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft, Microsoft Windows
> made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop application software.
> There are literally tens of thousands of software tools that developers
> can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop application software.
> Furthermore, the market for computers running Windows is a lot bigger than
> for any other operating system (Linux, Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software
> companies can't financially justify developing and maintaining
> applications for more than one operating system. Of course, in that case
> developers will invariably choose the Windows platform because that's the
> biggest market.
> The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From a
> software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows. Basically,
> it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
> Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS. Most
> likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform because
> that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the iPad/iPhone/iPod
> devices become a hot commodity like they have. Certainly, as a software
> developer, you're debating whether to start developing for the iOS
> operating system. That's not an easy decision. In fact, for a smaller
> company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble that could sink a
> small software company if the wrong decision is made.
> For the rest of the story, see:
>
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
> Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
> iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
> quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
> tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
> decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
> stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
> Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
> From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact, it's
> barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth another
> look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users adopting
> tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is application
> software. Having a tablet computer without application software is sort of
> like having a desktop computer without office software (e-mail, word
> processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to use with it. Without
> application software, a tablet computer (or any computer for that matter)
> is just an expensive paperweight.
> With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the end
> of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up everywhere in
> geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't seem
> to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own an iPad and swear
> they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very few, if any that I
> know, are using them for serious geospatial applications. It begs the
> question "Why?"
> The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
> Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
> Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an expensive
> endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft, Microsoft Windows
> made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop application software.
> There are literally tens of thousands of software tools that developers
> can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop application software.
> Furthermore, the market for computers running Windows is a lot bigger than
> for any other operating system (Linux, Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software
> companies can't financially justify developing and maintaining
> applications for more than one operating system. Of course, in that case
> developers will invariably choose the Windows platform because that's the
> biggest market.
> The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From a
> software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows. Basically,
> it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
> Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS. Most
> likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform because
> that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the iPad/iPhone/iPod
> devices become a hot commodity like they have. Certainly, as a software
> developer, you're debating whether to start developing for the iOS
> operating system. That's not an easy decision. In fact, for a smaller
> company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble that could sink a
> small software company if the wrong decision is made.
> For the rest of the story, see:
>
Anyone who buys an Ipad should set up a VPN with their Windows computer and
have access to all the applications they already own.
On 12/10/10 1:22 PM, Moderate wrote:
I sometimes do that--Unfortunately those applications were designed
for mouse/keyboard interfaces and are downright awkward from the iPad.
>> Tablets Galore, But Apple May Still Ship 40 Million iPads Next Year
>>
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
>>
>> December 6, 2010 By: Eric Gakstatter
>> Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
>> iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
>> quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
>> tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
>> decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
>> stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
>> Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
>> From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact, it's
>> barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth another
>> look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users adopting
>> tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is application
>> software. Having a tablet computer without application software is sort of
>> like having a desktop computer without office software (e-mail, word
>> processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to use with it. Without
>> application software, a tablet computer (or any computer for that matter)
>> is just an expensive paperweight.
>> With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the end
>> of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up everywhere in
>> geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't seem
>> to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own an iPad and swear
>> they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very few, if any that I
>> know, are using them for serious geospatial applications. It begs the
>> question "Why?"
>> The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
>> Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
>> Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an expensive
>> endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft, Microsoft Windows
>> made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop application software.
>> There are literally tens of thousands of software tools that developers
>> can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop application software.
>> Furthermore, the market for computers running Windows is a lot bigger than
>> for any other operating system (Linux, Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software
>> companies can't financially justify developing and maintaining
>> applications for more than one operating system. Of course, in that case
>> developers will invariably choose the Windows platform because that's the
>> biggest market.
>> The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From a
>> software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows. Basically,
>> it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
>> Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS. Most
>> likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform because
>> that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the iPad/iPhone/iPod
>> devices become a hot commodity like they have. Certainly, as a software
>> developer, you're debating whether to start developing for the iOS
>> operating system. That's not an easy decision. In fact, for a smaller
>> company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble that could sink a
>> small software company if the wrong decision is made.
>> For the rest of the story, see:
>>
http://www.gpsworld.com/gis/gss-weekly/tablets-galore-but-apple-may-still-ship-40-million-ipads-next-year-10791
>> Industry analysts estimate that Apple will sell as many as 43.7 million
>> iPads in 2011. Apple reported it shipped 4.2 million iPads in the third
>> quarter, ending September 25. This has certainly created chaos in the
>> tablet computer business that has been relatively quiet for more than a
>> decade. Predictably, with Apple shipping these kinds of numbers, it has
>> stimulated other manufacturers and spawned a tremendous number of "iPad
>> Killers" that have been introduced or are being introduced soon.
>> From a geospatial point-of-view, the tablet war is not over. In fact, it's
>> barely begun. I've touched on this subject before, but it's worth another
>> look. The tablet hardware is only one facet of geospatial users adopting
>> tablet computers in a big way. The other, of course, is application
>> software. Having a tablet computer without application software is sort of
>> like having a desktop computer without office software (e-mail, word
>> processor, spreadshet, database, presentation) to use with it. Without
>> application software, a tablet computer (or any computer for that matter)
>> is just an expensive paperweight.
>> With reportedly up to 13 million iPads projected to be shipped by the end
>> of 2010, it seems like we should be seeing them cropping up everywhere in
>> geospatial applications. Unless I'm missing something, that doesn't seem
>> to be the case. Of course, I know many people who own an iPad and swear
>> they are the greatest things since doorknobs, but very few, if any that I
>> know, are using them for serious geospatial applications. It begs the
>> question "Why?"
>> The answer is simple: lack of geospatial application software.
>> Why is there a lack of geospatial application software?
>> Developing and maintaining software for public consumption is an expensive
>> endeavor. No matter your attitude is about Microsoft, Microsoft Windows
>> made it a lot easier and less expensive to develop application software.
>> There are literally tens of thousands of software tools that developers
>> can buy for Windows to make it easier to develop application software.
>> Furthermore, the market for computers running Windows is a lot bigger than
>> for any other operating system (Linux, Unix, MacOS, etc.). Many software
>> companies can't financially justify developing and maintaining
>> applications for more than one operating system. Of course, in that case
>> developers will invariably choose the Windows platform because that's the
>> biggest market.
>> The iPad (and iPhone and iPod) run an operating system called iOS. From a
>> software developer standpoint, it's not even close to Windows. Basically,
>> it must be developed from scratch. Yuck.
>> Let's say you're a company that's developed software for mobile GIS. Most
>> likely, you've developed it for Windows/Windows Mobile platform because
>> that's what the customers are using. Now, let's say the iPad/iPhone/iPod
>> devices become a hot commodity like they have. Certainly, as a software
>> developer, you're debating whether to start developing for the iOS
>> operating system. That's not an easy decision. In fact, for a smaller
>> company, it can literally be a make-or-break gamble that could sink a
>> small software company if the wrong decision is made.
>> For the rest of the story, see:
>>
> Anyone who buys an Ipad should set up a VPN with their Windows computer and
> have access to all the applications they already own.
> have access to all the applications they already own.
I sometimes do that--Unfortunately those applications were designed
for mouse/keyboard interfaces and are downright awkward from the iPad.
>