iPad and Samsung is in battle

Most of us know iPad and Samsung,which are big company,they are battling for the customers and markets.

It seems that iPad is more popular than Samsung in tablet field.Although Samsung has a right to compete, it does not have a right to compete unfairly, by flooding the market with infringing products.Apple filed its lawsuit last year, and the two companies are enmeshed in patent disputes around the globe revolving around smartphones and handheld computers. Samsung, with its Android-powered products, has emerged as one of Apple’s chief rivals.

As our ordinary beings,we prefer to take care of its function and price,if we can do with our work more convenient and more cheaper with iPad or Samsung,I think it will be more and more popular.




















In fact,for the battling between iPad and Samsung,which is benefit for customers,it can be considered as getting progress of our lifestyle.

what do you know about iTunes?

iTunes is a necessary management tool,as iPad and iPhone is more and more popular,many customers make Data synchronization with iTunes,but it is not so easy for some people to operate iTunes,let's know the process of operating iTunes.

Early iTunes is a multimedia tool for the players, management, online purchase, download and burn the video file , placed inside apple Mac OS operating system, it is similar to Media Center which is in windows. After the iPhone coming up, apple App Store application Store also "opened" in the iTunes , the user can not only through the iTunes App Store to buy and download the application procedure, also can use iTunes to transfer all kinds of information between the computer and cell phone iPhone, including address book, photographs, notepad, application procedures, music and video, and so on. Even the iPad and iPhone firmware upgrade and recovery, must also be in iTunes.

What is the synchronous?
In the grasp of the iTunes is "synchronous" operation, the so-called synchronization, is to make the iPhone or iPad data in the database of consistent with the computer,what is in the computer, there is something on cell phones.Note that there is no iTunes in "folder" this concept, can only through the "playlist" of music or video material to classification management.

How to put music and video synchronization to iPhone?
There are two ways to do that,here I can show you one way,it is Synchronous database:Click on the top of the "file" iTunes menu, we can see two adding options: add files to the database, add folder to the database . Adding files can choose one or several files in folder, adding folder will carry the entire folder in all content to database!

Teenager hit by car was using iPod

A teenage girl had emergency surgery last week after she was hit by a car - an accident police say could have happened because she was using an iPod while crossing a busy road.

The 17-year-old Korean student was taken to North Shore Hospital after she was hit by a car on Anzac St in Takapuna on Thursday.
She had serious injuries and was later transferred to Middlemore Hospital for surgery. Police said she was recovering and her family overseas had been advised.

The accident follows several deaths in which people have been struck while using personal music devices.In September 2010, New Plymouth teenager Cushla Girling, 19, was hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle while walking home in the rain from her job at a bakery. Police said she was listening to her iPod as she walked.

Mt Maunganui woman Kumiko Wakamiya Goodhall, 55, was hit by a goods train in Tauranga in April 2010. Police believed her iPod may have prevented her from hearing the warning bells and the approaching train.

Gareth Hotham, 30, also died after he was struck by a train, in Te Puke in November 2009. He was using an iPod. After his death, the Rail and Maritime Transport Union tried to raise awareness that MP3 players and car stereos were distractions that could lead to tragedy.

After Thursday's accident, North Shore area commander Inspector Les Paterson issued a fresh warning for music-loving pedestrians.He said people needed to be extra-vigilant when using music players while walking amid traffic.

"Initial inquiries revealed that the 17-year-old appeared to be crossing to get to a bus stop on the other side but was wearing an iPod and headphones which may have distracted her."She was not on a pedestrian crossing and stepped on to a busy part of Anzac St in the path of an oncoming vehicle."

Mr Paterson said ample warnings had been issued after similar incidents. "However, kids are kids the world over and the education component around road safety with teenagers is a constant struggle for the authorities."

This article comes from:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10815251

Microsoft's‘Surface’Tablet challenge with iPad

Some people have heard that Mircrosoft has released its tablet-Surface,it is going to take some market that has posessed by apple iPad,as a tablet iPad is very popular,and the coming of Surface will bring us another choice about tablet.
whether the Surface is popular or not,it can be said by customers,I think that if Surface can bring us more convient and let us enjoy our life,it will be successful,and the most important part that our customers care about is the price of the tablet,it won't more expensive than iPad,then we can accept it,and it will be challenge with iPad!

Another part we care about is the function of Surface,we maybe heard that“It’s a whole new community of computing devices from Microsoft,” Ballmer said. “It embodies the notion of hardware and software really pushing each other.”
Surface featured a flip-out rear “kickstand” to prop it up like a picture frame and a cover that, when opened, acts as a keypad so tablets could be switched into “desktop” mode for work tasks.

I am looking forward to see the Surface,it maybe come my choice!

IPad Boom Strains Lithium Supplies, Lifts Prices

Investors from JPMorgan Chase & Co. to BlackRock Inc. are trying to make money from the exploding popularity of iPads and increasing sales of hybrid cars by investing in producers of lithium for batteries.

Prices for the conductive metal, the lightest in the periodic table, have tripled since 2000 in a market now worth $1 billion a year as uses expand in vehicles, ceramics, electronics and lubricants. Apple Inc. (AAPL) (AAPL) and Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), maker of the Prius electric-gasoline car, have few alternatives as they pursue higher performance and mobility, leading Dahlman Rose & Co. analysts to forecast lithium demand will double by 2020.

Talison Lithium Ltd. (TLH), whose shares have gained 22 percent in the last month, together with Soc. Quimica & Minera de Chile SA, Rockwood Holdings Inc. and FMC Corp. (FMC) (FMC), account for almost 95 percent of world supply. Rio Tinto Group (RIO), the third-biggest mining company, may join the largest suppliers if it goes ahead with a mine in Serbia it says is capable of producing 20 percent of global output of the metal.

“There are some companies now that we think are attractive to get a hold of lithium exposure,” Evy Hambro, who manages about $13 billion in mining stocks for BlackRock in London, said in an interview. “We’ve got a small exposure today and we’re looking for some more,” he said without naming any companies.

Demand for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries out of Asia has helped prices climb threefold in the last 12 years, London- based Roskill Information Services Ltd. analyst Robert Baylis said. Global use doubled from 2000 to 2011 according to Roskill, which has recently consulted on six lithium projects.
Lithium Oligopoly

The advantage of lithium-ion over other battery types is that a typical cell can generate more electricity than competing cells like such as lead-acid. There is about 1.7 grams (0.6 ounces) of lithium carbonate equivalent in a mobile phone, 2.1 grams in a smart phone and 20 grams in a tablet, according to Dahlman Rose.

There will be a “step change,” in the global lithium industry in 2016 or 2017 when electric cars became more commonplace, Rockwood Chief Executive Officer Seifollah Ghasemi said. Hybrid electric vehicles that are fitted with a lithium- ion battery contain about 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of the material, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have about 12.8 kilograms, while an electric vehicle uses about 19.2 kilograms.

The four-strong lithium “oligopoly has the capacity to significantly ramp supply higher, but it will take time and significant capital to accomplish,” Dahlman Rose analysts Anthony Young and Anthony Rizzuto said in a May 16th report. “There are a limited number of known high-grade resources that can be economically extracted and there has not been a new lithium mine constructed in the last 25 years.”
Biggest Producer

Global consumption may jump to 300,000 metric tons a year by 2020 from about 150,000 tons now, Dahlman Rose said in a June 7 report. Demand for lithium batteries has been growing at about 25 percent a year, outpacing the 4 percent to 5 percent overall gain in lithium, the firm said.

“Anywhere between a doubling and a tripling of demand in the next 10 years is absolutely our view,” Peter Oliver, CEO of Talison, the biggest producer, said in an interview. “Maybe a doubling is with minimal impact from electric vehicles and if electric vehicles take off in a big way in the next 10 years it could be as much as tripling.”

Neil Gregson, manager of about $6.9 billion in natural resource assets at JPMorgan Asset Management, said in an interview in London he’s studying investing in the industry. “You can’t see any reason why that won’t be a high growth market for many, many years. It’s a very interesting area.”
Ponce, Kravis

Rio is researching the development of its Jadar lithium- boron operation at a time when other suppliers are expanding output to meet rising demand. Talison, the Perth-based company with a market share of about 32 percent, completed an expansion at its Greenbushes mine in Western Australia this month that has allowed it to double production capacity.

THis aticle comes from:http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-19/ipad-boom-strains-lithium-supplies-after-prices-triple

iPad will face the challenge:Microsoft released its tablet computer-surface

As we know,apple iPad will take more market of tablet computer,but it is a bad message for Microsoft,so it is very important for Microsoft to design its own tablet computer.

Now we heard that Microsoft has unveiled its first tablet computer,Surface,Chief executive Steve Ballmer described the iPad challenger --"The Surface is a PC, the Surface is a tablet, and the Surface is something new that we think people will absolutely love," he said at an hour-long presentation in a Hollywood design studio.

It boasts a 10.6-inch (26.9 centimeter) high-definition screen and will be available with 32 or 64 gigabytes of memory. A model powered by Windows 8 Pro weighs 903 grams and will be available with 64 or 128 gigabytes of memory.

Steve does not mentioned the prices and release dates,but the Surface is ecpected to go on sale in the fall,and we know the difference between iPad and Surface is that Surface has a slightly bigger screen than the iPad!it lets Microsoft compete with vertically-integrated Apple on more even ground."

iPad is changing our lifestyle,and tecnology is upgrating,the coming of Mircosoft tablet might bring us a new choice,I am looking forward Mircosoft tablet-Surface,even though I have iPad!

The price of iPad

iPad 3 has been published for several months,it updates based on iPad 2,and with more functions,it is convenient and useful,but there are some men who do not buy iPad because of the price,they are wait for the cheaper one,and wait the shop do some activities,let's look at the price of iPad.

The price of iPad 2 start from $399,and the iPad 3 start at $499,these are the cheapest,if you want some extra functions,you will pay more for them.if you like the new iPad,you can do 3 steps to choose your iPad.

First,you should choose a color,which is between black and white,and the price is the same.second,you can choose a model,there are two models you can choose,Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+Cellular,and the price are different,besides,you should choose the
storage size of your iPad,if you choose only Wi-Fi model and 16 GB storage,you should pay $499.but if you plus celluar you need pay $629,and the more size you want the more you should pay,so,if you can afford $499,you can own a new iPad.

If you like iPad very much,but you can not afford for the iPad 3,don't be too sad,iPad 2 may become your right choice,the cheapest one is just $399,it is the same as iPad 3 that has the basic functions.

iPad is changing our lifestyle,it can make your life more comfortable,but I want to say whether we buy iPad or not,we should consider our economic capability and our needs!

What is iPhone Jailbroken

Prison break is to point to open the operation of the user permissions, allows users to change any part of the random integration.

Only after the success of the iphone prison breakThe file system will be in (rw) state, you can install and run the third party programs without official authentication. These software are refused for some reason and (usually because violates the apple imho) or no MAC system developers, also may be the author refused to pay $100 to release their works. And it is able to use the software after prison break.

The iPhone iOS and other mobile phone system (such as Nokia's Symbian, Google's Android and so on the biggest different is, they are opening up the user's authority, and iOS user permission is extremely low. Simple said after the user's authentication, is RW (reading and writing), and cisco iOS user permissions only R (read only). So cisco iOS users can only be used after Apple validation (Apple Store in the purchase) application, other behavior cannot be changed on the system. this advantage is compared with other systems such as Nokia, Symbian, Android, iOS system under the condition of the stability of prison break extremely strong, death rate is extremely low...

By the way,you can use greenpoisOn to do prison break!

How to use Summerboard

Do you know the summerboard? we can choose our best like themes,may be you contacted them,let's talk about how to use summerboard.

First:method 1:Installation theme beautification Summerboard, 113,114 version need installing the Summerboard V3.2 version, and then it can be used
In the classification of IBUS version 2.0 system beautification Summerboard3.2 installation can be done.

Method 2:Connect the WIFI, click on the desktop installer icon, go into the System,  find SummerboardV3.2 in the directory,clicking on install, After installation you will find much more on the table, its a SMsB icon , that's right.Then open the iPhone PC SuiteV 1.0.0.2, (referred to as for PC suite),First used will be prompted to install daemon, that need to restart  twice and you can complete the installation of the procedure, according to the tip.


Click on the subject--and then the bell point SMB theme.The theme list show you five theme is SMB, we need to click on the add new theme to add your theme.

The following thing I think you have know,Ok,you have made a right decision,get your theme!

Rockville private school gives the iPad a classroom trial

Before this year, Joie Chen would have never found her son huddled in a corner, reading a book.Now, it happens all the time. Evan Goldberg, 12, will be so entranced by a story on his iPad, he will bump into the walls of their Bethesda home as he walks and reads, his mother said.

While some parents were concerned when Green Acres School in Rockville gave each of its fifth- and sixth-grade students an iPad this year, most now say that it has excited their children’s interest in school and enhanced their learning.

Due to the success of the pilot program, the private school, which has about 305 students in prekindergarten to eighth grade, will expand it to all of its approximately 140 middle school students, said Neal M. Brown, head of school.

“It’s not really about the iPad, it’s about building a facility with technology, and using technology to give kids the opportunity to build their skills, and the opportunity to pursue their passions,” Brown said.

The school began exploring the idea in spring 2011 as a way to give students more access to computers. The school had about 32 computers in two labs, and the start-up time was taking away from valuable instruction time, said Connie

Coker, a teacher at the school.Some parents were hesitant about the pilot program at first — the children were able to take the iPad home every night; teachers and parents would need to keep a close eye on what the students were doing with the devices. The school sent out recommended guidelines, instructing parents to set time and content restrictions for their children.“Parents were worried that they will not be able to keep their kid off of it,” Chen said.

The iPads cost about $550 each, with an additional $50 each for applications, insurance and maintenance, Coker said — or $37,800 for 63 students last year.

E-texts replaced textbooks in most classes. Brown said the cost was not substantially more than what is normally spent on textbooks and technology.Curriculum did not change, but, rather, teachers found lessons to expand it, Coker said.

“The content stayed the same, but the access, the efficiency and the products our students were able to create were exponentially better because of the time,” she said.For one lesson, students took pictures of leaves on the school campus with their iPads, and then used an application that helped them identify what kind of tree a leaf came from.

Evan, who will be in seventh grade next year, said he enjoyed a lesson in which he was able to make a movie in Spanish about natural disasters, with the programs iMovie, Script and Pages.If Evan didn’t have an iPad for school next year, he would be OK with that, he said.“But I wouldn’t be as excited for school,” he added.

Evan is a much stronger reader now, Chen said, although she added that she never will know if that is because of the iPad or because his interest in reading grew.Brown said he sees his school providing technology for the school’s students in the future, whether it be iPads or other products.

“At Green Acres, we do not want to use technology just to use technology, but we don’t want to put our heads in the sand ... these kids are growing up in a world where this is how people communicate.”

This article comes from:http://www.gazette.net/article/20120613/NEWS/706139579/1042/rockville-private-school-gives-the-ipad-a-classroom-trial&template=gazette

Does a kid need an iPad for school?

If you have a 4 year old child and he will be starting kindergarten next year. Should you buy him an iPad so he can stay on top of his papers and assignments? Will the school's IT dept. make sure he can connect to the school's wifi hot-spot or will you have to set it up yourself? If you plan to keep in touch with him during the day via Twitter.

There are some views of my friends
"Things may have changed a lot since my experiences with kindergarten, but any "papers" or "assignments" at this grade level should not require an iPad, or any individual child to have a computer of any kind. Kindergarten is also a time for children to learn socialization with their class and begin independence from their parents, so I recommend not trying to contact him throughout the day, even if he does in fact enjoy Twitter. This is not a habit you want him to develop in school. I think he'll be learning how to read, write, share, and develop friendships." Johnny said.

Steven said "No freaking 4 year old needs a freaking iPad. A 4 year old doesn't HAVE a ton of homework. They don't really DO anything in kindergarten ANYWAY. Why give your kid something that takes a lot of responsibility when he's only four? If he breaks that thing, you would be in major trouble. Just forget about the iPad. Buy him a notebook or something and a cool little pen. That's all he needs. Period. You don't want to spoil him now."

Maybe you have your idea,but I want to say,everything has its two sides,you can make your decision depends on the conditions around your child!

How does iPad break out of here?

Do you know how to do prison break obout iPad? if you can do that you will get more applications to do more work,I can tell you how to break:

First: make sure your ipad versions of software, you can check it in
settings, the different versions correspond different methods;
Second: do the preparing work before prison break, backup SSH ( on the
apple's certificate), prevent the system crashed so that you can't repair, try to backup, current version 4.1 the following should have been apple blockade backup;

Third: download your current versions of the firmware, it is the "operating
system", also set aside;Below to begin the formal escape:3.2.1 version of the prison break is the most simple, you can sescape through going to a website ;

If you are 3.2.2 version, that you use the "green rain" prison break this tool;
If you are a version 4.2, there had been a perfect escaped from the prison, but require you have apple computer;

If you want to see detailed methods, you can be in google search "prison break QuanGongLve iPad from scratch", I was referring to this article is prison break, step by step, look at the picture of the society;Prison break is actually very simple, if you learn how to break,you will not rely on others, and you don't have to worry about the failure of prison break,you can try again,just have a try!

New iPad introduction of the iPad movies with simple method

Apple iPad's coming let many users be excited, not only because of the appearance of the iPad light is easy to use, but also for the iPad high resolution screens, rich wonderful application. A New generation of New iPad release, apple iPad for the resolution with up to 2048 x1536 Retina of  screen, visual experience is more on one building, support 1080P hd movie easily play, so free time with iPad has its own movie a flavor. what are the common way for watching IPad movie ?


Here we summarize the two commonly used methods.
Method one: download iOS applications to realize watching movies.
At present as long as you commonly used video player on the computer .without exception is Posting its corresponding iOS applications,Everything, at ordinary time you used to choose what kind of player on the PC movies,which also can use to the iPad. Into the App Store in optionalchoose!

These iOS applications all keep the PC client characteristics, which can support on demanding movies, TV shows, variety show, the sports video,rich incontent.But there is a necessary condition, and that is the need for your iPad networking, if you want to watch hd video content, flowing first choice must be through the Wifi link network, use 3G version of the user must first know what choose 3G package of traffic limit, or play video flow don't small!

Method 2: put the movie into iPad for saving to watch
Although the App Store has also provide some video Player applications such as AV Player, EC Player, extreme audio, universal media Player pay application, iPad users can used to direct broadcast RMVB, AVI, common movie format file through these video player , no need to let iPad attached to the network, but there is a called flints about the application , play video especially hd video will appear at card, not smooth, greatly influence the view of experience. IPad users for high-definition movie inevitable is preferred, or not waste the iPad hd screen, this a lot in App Store pink to such application has many evaluation, we don't recommend you use this way to watch the movie. To ensure the high quality of the view of experience, the best way is to save iPad introduction in the movie.

Apple iPad movie video format used two kinds, one kind is H264 coding mp4 format, one kind is mov format. And for online download RMVB, AVI, MKV file formats, how can we import these formats into iPad to kept watch? Simple, use special apple iPad video format converter can achieve. Popular magic iPad movie format conversion software quickly and easily put RMVB, RM, AVI, WMV commonly used video format conversion into iPad video format, the software of the iPad support movie formats in the output format all preset, we only need to put the movie video add to software, and then select a iPad video output format, mp4 format conversion speed is a bit slow, mov format conversion speed, like a format which you can choose or directly use the software by default more convenient.

iPhone4 FaceTime function activate and method of use

(1) activation FaceTime function
1. Link to phones activated iTunes iPhone4, iPhone4 will automatically sent 
registering text messages to apple server, apple server receives registered
SMS messages, verification and registration, sent messages to the users
mobile phone number registered successfully , registration processes
completed, FaceTime function is enabled, the user can use FaceTime for video
calling.


2. If the automatically register failured  , iPhone4 provides manual activate
FaceTime method. That is, into the "Settings"-> "telephone" menu-make
FaceTime switch button be closed, and then let FaceTime switch button in the
open position.At this time iPhone4 will send registered SMS messages again,
after registration is successful, FaceTime function is enabled, the user can
use FaceTime for video calling.

3. If the user want system to upgrade through iTunes iPhone4 mobile phone ,
and choose never take the wifi iPhone 3 GS in restore backup, iPhone 4 mobile
phone menu options FaceTime switch can not be set. Should guide the user
operation are as follows: "Settings"-> "common"-- > "restoration"-- >
"restore all Settings" (interface such as wallpaper may return to original
state, but the iPhone 4 content will not lost); Since then to enter
"Settings"-> "telephone"-menu, open the FaceTime switch, by the above 2 steps
you can activate FaceTime function.

4. If the user want system to upgrade through iTunes iPhone4 mobile phone, and choose from the iPhone 3 GS with wifi in restore backup, iPhone4 mobile phone menu items will be no FaceTime switch option. Should guide the user according to the following operation restore system: make the iPhone4 cell phone connect to iTunes, click the iPhone equipment on the left of iTunes, and click on the right side of the iTunes "resume" button ,it will be made the iPhone4 returned to the latest version, activate the FaceTime function.

(2) using FaceTime function
Using a mobile phone iPhone4, call common voice on the phone to another one iPhone4 mobile phone ,  there is a FaceTime button in the middle of the panel, this button is gray at first and will not allow to click on the form, the called party answer, a caller to highlight the FaceTime button; A caller can click on FaceTime video calling to the other side puts forward button application, the called party can choose to refuse or accept, in the called party click accept after successfully established a FaceTime connection, into the video call interface. In the FaceTime, the original voice calls will disconnect, no longer produce words free.

(3) the necessary conditions of iPhone 4 FaceTime video calling
1. The FaceTime video phone must be both sides of iPhone4 users.
2. Both sides success in apple server registered FaceTime function.
3. Two iPhone4 must have cellular signal, can a phone call.
4. Both parties must successfully on WiFi network connection.

Do you use iPod touch4?

I think you have used iPod touch,but do you have used iPod touch 4?
iPod touch 4 has issued, compared to the iPod touch 3,it has brought a number
of improvements. Of course the iPod touch 4 can still see as no Communication
function of the iPhone. Heading camera and the back high-definition camera
make iPod touch 4 turn more frivolous. iPod touch will also use the latest
Retina display, having the same pictures performance as iPhone 4.

We can talk about some technology of iPod touch 4.
Camera, photographs and video
1、Shooting video: as high as 30 frames per second (FPS) with the sound of the HD (720 p) video, back camera static pictures (960 x 720)
2、Front camera VGA photos and as high as 30 frames per second (FPS) of the video
3、By clicking the shooting video exposure control
4、Use of photos and video WLAN geographic marks functions
5、Input and output: 30 needle base connection
6、3.5 mm stereo headset interface

Playing time
1、Music playing time:  longest 40 hours
2、Video playing time: batteries for up to seven hours
3、Charging time fast charging time about 2 hours (a charged to complete the power of 80%), complete charging time about 4 hours.

video play
The latest iTouch 4 has a further promotion on video playing function ,support more resolution, even support the current popular 1280 * 720, or 720P hd video. Such high definition video general software can't convert out,but there are many special conversion software can export.Such as the famous Leawo HD Video Converter which is the most support the completely resolution and have the fastest conversion speed and high quality video converter.

These are what I want to talk about iPod touch 4,and it has many other new
function,you can enjoy them.iPod touch 4 is a good product it can influence
our life a lot,it is worth to possess.

iPad may become your good birthday gift

Every one has its birthday present,I don't know what gift do you want for
your birthday gift,but this year,I suggest that you can get a ipad on your birthday(if you do not have one).There are some reasons that I recommend you to possess a iPad.


Fisrtly,iPad is update now,it is more and more popular,there are many apps we
can use now,such as paly games,watch video,do your office work, and serf the
internet,it is very convenient.

Secondly,it is easy to carry, compact, only 9.7 inches, and the very
fashionable, and the key is built-in 3G wireless Internet module, more facilitate at any time and place online, access to information and send and receive E-mail, this for some business people and the most fashionable young people like.

Thirdly,it is appropriate but personal computer. Don't tedious operation, simple and quick, and need not worry that virus from loading system and trouble, which for some is not very understanding computers is also a blessing. And from the official data released it, there are at least 100000 of different types of software can be used for users, this includes paying and free software, users can according to their own needs in the APP STORE to download the software installed on use. In short ipad is portable computer with a milestone.

I think many people use iPad to play games and watch films,however,there is a problem we have to confront,it is the video format,iPad does not support all video format,at this moment wu should convert the video to iPad,by the way,we cam use Mac iPad Converter to solve our problem.

In general,iPad has a lot of advantages,it will become your good birthday gift,choose iPad is right choice!

Apple's Cook and the iPad versus PC question

I couldn't believe my ears at the All Things D conference, the annual powwow of tech and media tycoons.Maybe I had too much sparkling water and shaved prosciutto at the oceanfront reception.

But sure enough, last Tuesday, Apple's new chief executive came right out and said the iPad isn't a personal computer."In my view, the tablet and the PC are different," Cook said to hosts Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.

Nobody paid much attention to that line. It was the backswing for a slam aimed at Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 tablets.

It may seem obvious tablets and PCs are different, but I'd argue that most people aren't so sure. For many, it's been an open question since Apple introduced the iPad in 2010. This ambiguity helped Apple straddle the markets for mobile devices and PCs, broadening the reach of its wildly successful tablet.
Cook's predecessor, Steve Jobs, was coy about the distinction at first. He let pundits, fans and buyers work through the question themselves.
Apple's news release at the first iPad launch called it a device "for browsing the Web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more."
That's mostly what people do with PCs, and the iPad is like a computer, so it was natural to see it as a sort of PC.

Early reviewers nudged this along. Drawing on the old Apple vs. Microsoft storyline, they suggested the iPad could take the place of a PC.
This added to the appeal of the iPad. People shopping for a PC they'd use mostly for the Web and entertainment saw Apple's gorgeous tablet as a nice alternative.
As more people saw the iPad as a newfangled PC with productivity potential, companies bought them for employees. Sales snowballed.

This happened during a low point in the PC sales cycle, after the Windows 7 launch in 2009. Sales of the new iPad soared as PC sales slowed, and pundits began questioning whether Microsoft was finally losing its dominance of the PC market.

Jobs ran with it.
At the All Things D conference in 2010, Jobs said the "post PC" era had begun, a phrase he used again to launch the iPad 2.Nowadays, everybody's a tech enthusiast and gadgets are the elixir of youth. Yet few have time to keep up with all the new products and sort out their different capabilities.

Jobs made it simple, implying the iPad is the computer of the future. It's kind of true.As a bonus, it also sounded like a death blow to his nemesis, Microsoft. Especially if you took "PC" to be his shorthand for Windows-based computers.
Many people still wonder if their next PC should be an iPad.

Adding to the confusion are productivity apps and accessories for the iPad, such as external keyboards. These add-ons turn the iPad into a quasi-laptop.
Research firms aren't helping. Some declare the iPad to be a PC and count it in tallies of PC sales. Others classify tablets separately.

This will get more confusing in the fall, when PC makers unveil Windows 8 systems, including some that look just like iPads. More than 100 different models are in the works. A number of these will be thin, glass-fronted slabs with touch-screen input. Some will function like traditional PCs and have Intel hardware, while others will be based on mobile chips like the iPad's. Also coming are new hybrids that convert from laptops into tablets.

Microsoft and its partners hope to produce systems that are fast, light and easy to use like an iPad, with the flexibility and variety people expect from PCs.
So it's time for Apple to start clarifying what's what. I think that's what Cook was doing, when Mossberg asked about the new competition from Redmond.

There were no more sly hints about the iPad displacing the PC. Cook drew a sharp line between tablets and PCs, saying the former are "not encumbered by the legacy of the PC." Instead of blending a tablet with a PC, Apple made something new and different, he said.

"I think convergence is great in many areas, but I think that products are about trade-offs, and you have to make tough decisions, you have to choose," he said. "And the fact is, the more you look at a tablet as a PC, the more the baggage from the past affects the product."

Swisher asked, why still have a PC?"Because I don't see the tablet replacing the need for all PCs, or all Macs -- I don't mean to imply that at all," Cook said. "What I see is that the tablet for some people takes over what their PC was about for them. It will probably also extend the purchasing cycle for others -- where they'll say, you know I want both but I've got to budget, and so I'm going to buy this tablet more often than I buy my PC or my Mac in some cases."

I guess things are moving so fast we flew right through the post-PC era and into the PC-plus-tablet era.We'll find out this fall whether Microsoft has too much baggage to ride this train.

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