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This Week in Mobile: iPad 2, Verizon Data Plans, Webtop Phones
Daniel Carey
One of the advantages of the mobile space is its rapid pace of evolution. Every week it isn’t uncommon to hear of new hardware or software being launched to a wide array of consumers. This week has been no different, so sit back and join us for another issue of ‘This Week in Mobile.’ In this issue we cover Apple’s iPad 2, Verizon’s new tiered data plans for smartphones, and Motorola’s Webtop strategy.
Apple News - iPad 2
Some twelve months after Apple released its first foray into the tablet space, the company has once again captivated the minds of both the young and old with a brand spanking new iPad… the iPad 2. Taking the fight to Motorola’s Xoom (and a slew of new Honeycomb tablets / BlackBerry Playbook / HP TouchPad) Apple’s newest generation iPad couples a familiar, semi-practical design, with updated specifications worthy of a technology product launching in 2011.
Before I continue I’ll just mention some of the device’s specifications: Come March 11th for US customers (or March 25th for international customers), you’ll be able to pick up an iPad with the same 9.7-inch 1024 x 768 display, a brand spanking new 1GHz dual core A5 CPU, gyroscope, dual Facetime cameras — rear capable of 720p HD at 30fps, and front facing capable of VGA at 30fps. Much like Apple’s highly successful iPhone, the company has chosen to release its second generation iPad in both black and white variants; such a decision has led some to believe that manufacturing issues will plague the iPad 2 much like the iPhone 4. Will this happen? Well, only time will tell, but for now I’d file such claims under ‘S’ for speculation.
An iPad 2 is certainly a topical reference for some, however unlike most who were in awe of the second coming, I found it bemusing to learn of Apple’s new strategy. No longer is the company worrying about specifications; instead, it has been made clear that Apple wishes to provide consumers with a rock solid user experience. Now, any self respecting geek will agree when I say, in the end it is not about the hardware: RAM, HDD, or Megapixel camera. Instead it’s about the experience the commonality bring to the table… and it looks as though one tech company is finally beginning to get it. Although with that said, Apple is renowned for offering one of the best user / customer experiences money can buy.
Following up on Apple’s keynote, Joshua Topolsky of Engadget, wrote a very truthful piece highlighting the importance of Apple’s strategy. I’ve taken an extract of Josh’s article, but I highly suggest you click through and read it in its entirety.
“By joining the company’s ongoing vision of a “different” kind of computing with a soundbite friendly piece of marketing-speak, Apple has changed the rules of the game, and made the competition’s efforts not just an uphill battle, but — at least in the eyes of Steve Jobs and co. — essentially moot. But what exactly is the “post-PC” world? And why is it significant? Let me explain.
In this new world, Apple no longer has to compete on specs and features, nor does it want to. There is no Mac vs. PC here — only “the future” versus “the past.” It won’t be a debate about displays, memory, wireless options — it will be a debate about the quality of the experience. Apple is not just eschewing the spec conversation in favor of a different conversation — it’s rendering those former conversations useless. It would be like trying to compare a race car to a deeply satisfying book. In a post-PC world, the experience of the product is central and significant above all else. It’s not the RAM or CPU speed, screen resolution or number of ports which dictate whether a product is valuable; it becomes purely about the experience of using the device. What that means is that while Motorola and Verizon will spend millions of dollars advertising the Xoom’s 4G upgrade options, CPU speed, and high-resolution cameras, Apple need only delight consumers and tell them that specs and and speed are the domain of a dinosaur called the PC. Apple isn’t claiming victory in the Space Race — it’s ceding space to the competition.” - Joshua Topolsky, Engadget
If you’re in need of more iPad 2 news, I highly suggest checking out our iPad 2 feature which can be found here.
General Smartphone News - Verizon’s tiered data plans
As more and more consumers adopt smartphones, in turn placing stress on a carrier’s ability to provide some form of data connectivity, most are beginning to adopt tiered data usage; replacing older ‘unlimited’ plans. Joining the mix, Verizon Wireless CFO Fran Shammo, indicated that the company will be making such a switch this coming summer. This timing places Verizon’s switch from unlimited data to a tier based fee right around the time Apple is set to introduce the new iPhone. And while no evidence suggests the two are related, could it be possible Reliable Red bit off more than they could chew with an influx of iPhone 4 users?
Come summer Verizon customers are going to have monitor their data much more closely. Without unlimited plans some will fret, mostly road warriors, but for the average consumer — provided they aren’t downloading inordinate amounts of content — should remain just fine.
Android News - Motorola and Webtop integration
Earlier this week Motorola Mobility CEO, Sanjay Jha, announced that all high-end Motorola devices would come equipped with Webtop. Currently found on Motorola’s Atrix 4G, a smartphone that allows itself to be docked in several computer / home media stations, Webtop allows users to carry across one continuous client-like form of computing from their smartphone to the desktop.
Now, most reviewers felt that the Atrix 4G was a solid of piece of design on Motorola’s part. But some were skeptical to its Webtop integration; mostly due to it being the device’s only major hiccup. I’m sure most geeks — like almost all niche devices — love the ability to carry around a smartphone that doubles as a Linux station, however most ‘low-key’ consumers are still dubious to Linux simply because it isn’t Windows. It’s not a really good reason, but lets hope Motorola is able to expand their market and push such technology into the hands of many. After all, such functionality has long been desired by power users, and mobile road warriors.
Wrap-up
Unfortunately we can’t rehash all of the week’s news, a feat such as that would require superhuman writing abilities. And alas, we’re but mere mortals. Nevertheless, below is a list of other interesting news that didn’t quite make the cut.
- Microsoft’s first Windows Phone 7 update encounters several glitches
- Mobile Notifier - iOS push notifications done right
- RIM preparing to bring BBM to iOS and Android, change everything again?
- T-Mobile Sidekick service ends May 31
