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Condé Nast managing director, Nicolas Coleridge, has predicted that as much as 40% of the publishing house’s sales will come from apps for the iPad and similar devices in the future. In addition, Apple and News Corp have recently launched The Daily, a daily newspaper designed specifically and exclusively for tablet devices. The impact of the tablet on users’ consumption habits, combined with its potential to open up new revenue opportunities for different players in the value chain, points to a format which looks set to play a significant role in the mobile communications and entertainment markets going forward. Nonetheless, the rise of the tablet adds yet another mobile device to the multi-platform mix and brings with it associated challenges. If the tablet market is to match predicted industry forecasts, it is essential for content and technology companies to recognise the unique attributes of mobile and plan accordingly for the seamless distribution of content across multiple platforms. |
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The importance placed on having instant access to email, editable documents, internet browsing and above all a ‘one stop shop’ for each and every business activity, is now non-negotiable. Additionally, with touchscreens offering an enhanced user experience, tablets will instantly give mobile dealers the opportunity to offer the latest ‘all in one’ technologies to their customers. 2010 has seen smartphone usage rise incredibly and I think that we are about to see the same for tablets over the next year. With such demand supporting these products, and customers embracing new technologies at the rate of knots, tablets are only going to get better and better. |
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Google recently reported a surge in Android users, with 100,000 new customers per day in June, up from 100,000 in May this year. The platform has undoubtedly become a must-have consumer device, but Android has taken longer to become accepted by businesses. Google has only recently started to support corporate email, and while Apple closely controls iPhone software ensuring stability, the flexibility Android allows phone makers and users doesn’t always appeal to security-conscious businesses. However, with the right security measures and user guidelines in place, Android does offer advantages for business customers. There is a huge range of devices for employees who might prefer a keyboard, or a larger device. The Dell Streak hits the sweet spot between traditional smartphones and larger-screen tablets, and while it’s currently only available to consumers on O2, we expect to see a significant demand from our corporate customers. As smartphones continue to inherit tasks that were once only intended for laptops of desktop computers, Android devices also allow firms to load their own inhouse applications. Android undoubtedly has an important part to play in shaping the future of mobile computing for businesses, but so too will iPhones and BlackBerry devices. Whatever smartphone device is ultimately chosen, firms should work closely with mobile operators to ensure they are set up to achieve the very best results, and make sure usage throughout an organisation is as efficient as it should be. |
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IDC believes Android will become the second biggest smartphone operating system in Western Europe by as early as the first quarter of 2011. While research firm Rodman & Renshaw warned that by the end of 2011, despite Apple’s current success in smartphones, it will enter a very different competitive landscape thanks to the proliferation of Android, which will have a negative impact on the company’s marketshare and margins for 2012. What do you think Android has to offer the channel, in terms of innovation, easy to use handsets, standardised experiences, and flexibility, or a lack of any of these points and more? Do you see Android being the operating system of the future, or will we continue to see a fractured OS landscape? Does Android have much to offer the business world, and if so, what, or is it primarily a consumer platform in your view? | |||||
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Kemp, Data Select: Apple has a unique product which combines hardware, software and a brand that is as cool to technology geeks as it is to fashion victims. Once Apple has a customer they keep hold of them. The rise of Android will be considered and addressed by Apple, in order to keep its own customers happy they have a premium product and experience. A mobile is an emotional purchase, and that’s where Apple has the edge; Androids don’t have emotions! Android’s strength will be the standardisation across a number of manufacturers. The more complex mobiles get, the more difficult it is to pick up a new handset. That will be a massive advantage for Android. Imagine every car you got in had the pedals and gear stick in a different place; what a nightmare! Then Ford, Renault, VW and Audi all decide to standardise the control layout; what a bonus for both the consumer and the manufacturer. The OS landscape will remain fractured for a number of years to come, as can you see Apple, RIM, or Windows capitulating? However, do you see Symbian and Bada surviving? Logically, if you look at the resources and risks involved, in five years time the smart device market should be controlled by Microsoft, Apple and Google. With regard to the future, of course Android has much to offer the business world. Once it has the right email clients and security, its job done. The Android Market already has great business apps and these will only become more prolific. The price points of the hardware and the choice across manufacturers will all benefit business in making decisions. |
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