Why the Rise of Tablets?

Interesting article in the Chosun Ilbo English edition today, entitled "PC Market Stung by Rise of Tablets."  Indeed, the rise of tablets, not only in the South Korean market, but globally, is not at all surprising.  The reason for this is simply that, all other things equal, human beings prefer a mobile device, untethered by wires, to the old fashioned, wired desktop computers.  This is expressed succinctly in the so-called "Law of Mobility" or "McGuire's Law."

Having said this much, South Korea presents a special case in point.   I believe that Koreans are, culturally speaking, much more mobile than, for example, Americans.  Here I mean mobile in the sense of the percent of their average day spent outside the home.  I have no empirical data to present on this, but would appreciate observations.   Those of you who have ventured into the central district of most American cities after working hours might think of comparing that to any of Korea's cities when work in the office is finished.  Or, as the accompanying illustration (click to see full size version) shows, consider the average commute via public transportation in Korea versus commuting in a private vehicle in North America.  Comments welcome.

Proliferation of Smartphones and Tablets in Korea

Two items in the news today provide a sure indication of continued media convergence and the maturation of the market for smartphones and mobile devices.  The first item notes the change in distribution and sales of smart phones.  In the past, manufacturers of mobile devices sold them only through a single mobile operator.  Apple changed that pattern by making the iPhone available through both KT and SKT, and the other major handset and tablet manufacturers have followed suite, as reported by the Chosun Ilbo.  Another article, in the Joongang Daily, reports that this week will see the introduction of a "deluge of new smartphone and tablet PC models." (click on the illustration to see a larger version)

Samsung Unveils World's Thinnest Tablet Computer

My first reaction to the Apple iPad when it was initially introduced can be summarized in a word or two.  Too heavy!  That reaction was shared by many consumers.    The Joongang Ilbo  examines this dimension of competition among tablet computers in an article this morning.  The accompanying table (click on the graphic to see a full-size version) compares the dimensions and weight of Samsung's new Galaxy Tab 8.9 with two other rival products.  I've long thought that clip-board or standard paper size tablets are going to be widely adopted when they become as lightweight and as thin as an old-fashioned clipboard or paperback book.  We're very rapidly approaching that stage.

Tablets: A New Start in Samsung's Galaxy Lineup?

There is news out of Barcelona about Samsung's new Galaxy smart phone and its new tablet computer, designed to compete with Apple's iPad.  The Joongang Daily covered it, along with much of the trade press.  As shown in the accompanying graphic (click to see full size version), the new Samsung tablet has a 10.1 inch screen, slightly larger than the iPad.  I have long thought that something approximately this size will turn out to be a popular form factor, if it is lightweight enough.   Think of it as a powerful electronic clipboard.  For reading newspapers and magazines, or watching television, the size of these new tablet computers seems almost ideal.  The day is close at hand when many people will carry a smart phone and a tablet computer, both for use at work and on the go, and will choose to use a large or wall-size screen at home.  The ability to synchronize, access and use the same content across all three screen sizes (aka cloud computing) is indeed going to be convenient and commonplace.

Samsung to Supply LCDs for iPad 2

Amid all of the industry speculation about the size, features and launch date for the second generation Apple iPad, one thing seems certain.  As reported in The Korea Times, Samsung will provide some 8 million LCD panels for the new device.  The display panel is the single most expensive item in a tablet computer and the whole deal is reportedly worth $500 million, with the possibility that there could be additional orders.

According to an industry executive, speaking anonymously, Apple turned to Samsung to expand its procurement channels for displays when LG display failed to keep up with an initial order.  Apple produced 16 million iPads last year and industry officials say the next model will see even bigger annual sales of around 40 million.

I would not be surprised to see that sales projection reached or even surpassed, especially if the new iPad is thinner and lighter in weight so that it feels much like a clip-board when in use.

Christmas Gifts and the Future of Books

It is Christmas Day, 2010, and all around the world people are unwrapping their Christmas gifts.  A very considerable number of these gifts will be e-readers or tablet computers.   The recipients of these gifts will, in turn, download a large number of e-books, magazines, newspapers and other products being offered for these new devices.  The New York Times took note of this phenomenon in an article titled "Christmas Gifts May Help E-books Take Root."

There seems to be little question that the growing availability of tablet and e-reader devices, coupled with the increased availability of books in electronic format on the internet, will drive a major shift in reading habits all over the world.  The local press here in Korea has taken note, as in the Chosun Ilbo article entitled "Print Publishers Find New Life Through Tablet PCs."  The embedded illustration accompanied that article (click to see a larger version).

So far, I've held off on purchasing a tablet-sized device.  Although the form factor of the iPad is appealing, I still consider it too heavy as a reader.   However, I'm sure that as costs continue to come down and these devices become lighter in weight and with more features, I'll become a user.  The question of whether I will use such a device to read books has already been answered.  In fact, the majority of books I've read in recent years, along with magazines, newspapers and academic journals, have appeared on my computer screen.   I'm sure this is true for most of you who read this blog.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab versus Apple's iPad

Ever since Steve Jobs recent public comments about the optimal size and other characteristics of tablet computing devices, I've been thinking occasionally about this matter.  One of the reasons I have not jumped to purchase an Apple iPad is its thickness and weight.  It is just a bit to heavy in your hands to be comfortable for reading e-books, magazines, and newspapers.  Heavier, that is, than a paper newspaper or a paperback book.

The Chosun Ilbo today covered the introduction of Samsung's Galaxy Tab, the 7" tablet that Steve Jobs critized.  While it is definitely lighter in weight, its problem is that the screen size doesn't permit a natural reading of books, newspapers or magazine articles.  The Chosun Ilbo's article does note one point that I strongly agree with.  Consumers will be the ultimate judge.  In my opinion, neither Apple nor Samsung are quite there yet, in terms of the form factor for  tablet-size computers or reading devices.   I see these emerging as lightweight and very much the size of the old print media.