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Tag: nexus 7

  • Nexus Tablet Refresh Could Come in May [RUMOR]

    DitiTimes, a Taiwanese publication that covers the tech manufacturing industry in Taiwan, is reporting that the next version of Google’s Nexus 7 tablet could be coming as soon as May of 2013. Citing “sources from the upstream supply chain,” the report claims that Google is once again working with Asus on the tablet.

    The device is rumored to feature a “Full HD resolution” display and a thinner bezel around the screen. These statements are similar to the rumors surrounding a retina display version of the iPad Mini and a new, much thinner full-sized iPad. Of course, the next nexus tablet would also come with the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, and would sell for the same price as current models of the Nexus 7.

    By DigiTimes’ shipping estimates, over six million Nexus 7 devices will have been shipped by the end of this month, with the $249 32GB Wi-Fi-only version being the best-seller. DigiTimes’ sources estimated that, including the rumored next-generation Nexus 7 tablet, Google is expected to ship around 10 million of the tablets in 2013.

    (via BGR)

  • Android Tablet Beats iPad Sales in Japan

    A new report from a Japanese publication named Nikkei claims that Apple’s iPad sales in Japan this holiday season were beaten by sales of Google’s Nexus 7.

    The report cites a survey from Japanese market research firm BCN, which contacted 2,400 stores across Japan. According to the survey, Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, manufactured by Asus, made up 44.4% of of all tablet sales by volume in December. Apple’s iPad tablets only accounted for 40.1% of December sales. It should be noted that Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets were not included in the survey, “as these devices are primarily sold online.” The larger retailers surveyed, however, cited the Kindle Fire as the third best-selling tablet in their stores.

    The publication cites the lower price of the Nexus 7 as a large selling point for the tablet. It also points to the iPad Mini as a possible factor in Apple’s lower iPad sales, and the fact that Apple fans may have already bought the newest version of the iPad when it debuted in November.

    Even though the Nexus 7 was able to edge out more sales than the iPad, sales were up for both and the entire tablet market as a whole. Nikkei states that tablet sales in 2012 were 2.8 times those in 2011, with market research firm IDC estimating 2012 tablet sales in Japan to be 3.6 million units. IDC’s estimate for 2013 is $4.9 million tablets sold in Japan.

    (via BGR)

  • T-Mobile Nexus 7 Now Available On Google Play Store

    T-Mobile Nexus 7 Now Available On Google Play Store

    There was much rejoicing when Google finally offered a HSPA+ option for its popular Nexus 7 tablet. The only minor concern was that AT&T was the only carrier listed as the device came with an AT&T SIM card. There are other HSPA+ networks in this country, but they never got a page on the Google Play store until now.

    It was noticed today that Google unceremoniously added a new option on its Nexus 7 ordering page. Alongside the AT&T Nexus 7, a T-Mobile Nexus 7 is now available as well. It’s the same 32GB unlocked tablet as before, but it now ships with a T-Mobile SIM card instead.

    In all reality, it’s not that big of a deal since SIM cards are so cheap these days. It’s just removes one more annoyance for T-Mobile subscribers who want to add a Nexus 7 to their network without having to order a new SIM card.

    Just like the AT&T Nexus 7, the T-Mobile Nexus 7 will only set you back $300. Not a bad price for one of the best 7-inch tablets on the market.

    Now if only Google and LG can work on getting a fresh supply of Nexus 4 handsets up on Google Play. The much sought after smartphone will be available at T-Mobile later this month so hopefully it will be back in stock on Google Play by that time as well.

    [h/t: Droid Life]

  • $99 Tablet Might Not Make It To The U.S.

    $99 Tablet Might Not Make It To The U.S.

    A rumor emerged last week that said Acer was preparing a $99 Android tablet. That rumor is looking to be truth as more reports are coming in on the device, dubbed the Iconia B1, and one report says that the budget tablet may never make it to the U.S.

    The Wall Street Journal spoke to a person “with direct knowledge of the project” to score some details on the new tablet. First up, the price will indeed be $99 and the price will reflect that. The device will have a resolution of 1024×600 and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor. In fact, the tablet is reported to have specs rivaling that of first generation Kindle Fire devices. It’s expected to be sold in emerging markets, like China, where Apple’s iPad might be too expensive for most consumers.

    So where does that leave the U.S.? It’s unknown if Acer will ever release the device here, but it has been submitted to the FCC for certification. It shows that Acer is at least considering a release in the states where low cost tablets are beginning to take some market share away from Apple’s premium iPad tablets. The WSJ’s source pointed to this directly saying that Google’s Nexus 10, which is priced at $499, has changed what’s considered competitive pricing in the tablet market.

    It’s also being reported that Acer plans on releasing a lower priced version of its Intel-based Windows 8 tablets next year as well. A different source told the WSJ that its current devices are too pricey, and a lower priced alternative would be very attractive for those wanting to get into Windows 8.

    Acer’s tablet, if it launches in the U.S., could beat a rumored $99 Asus tablet to market. There have been rumors for quite some time that Google was building a $99 Nexus 7 with Asus, but nothing has come out of that except for some random hearsay. Directly speaking to the WSJ, Asustek flat out denied that the company is building a $99 tablet, but such a response is to be expected until an official announcement is made.

    As for the ultimate fate of Iconia B1, it will probably come to the U.S. if Google and Asus announce a $99 tablet. If not, there’s no reason to release such a cheap tablet in the U.S. beyond just having a cheap tablet. Asus’ Nexus 7 is selling decently well at its $199 price point and Asus needs to focus on competing with that. A $99 tablet with half the power of the Nexus 7 wouldn’t make a dent in Google’s dominion over the Android tablet market.

  • Tumblr Android App Now Supports Tablets

    Tumblr Android App Now Supports Tablets

    Social networks that sprung up and became popular before the mobile boom are now working to move onto mobile. One such service is tumblr and its mobile presence just got a little stronger on Android.

    Tumblr announced today that it has released an update for its Android app that adds compatibility for tablets. Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 users can rejoice as they can update their blogs straight from their mobile devices. It’s assumed that the app will also work with a variety of Android tablets from Samsung, Acer and Lenovo. As for other changes, the updated app brings a new Following screen and a few design updates.

    Tumblr Android App Now Supports Tablets

    While Android tablet owners can now have an optimized Tumblr experience, iPad owners are left out in the cold. Tumblr on iOS is still only available for iPhone and iPod Touch. Sure, the app will work on an iPad, but it’s not been optimized.

    That being said, an iPad app should be available soon. It would be a little strange to only release tablet optimization for Android and not the iPad. There are too many “artists” who frequent Tumblr via iOS to ignore that part of the user population. At this point, however, you should probably hope that a Christmas miracle gets that iPad app out before the end of the year.

    Android users can grab the latest update to the Tumblr app from Google Play right now. Those who use Tumblr on their Android phones will want to update as well for the new Following screen and small design updates.

    [h/t: The Next Web]

  • Google Is Fixing The December Bug In Android 4.2

    The latest mobile OS from Google – Android 4.2 – has been found to contain a few bugs that ruin the experience for some Nexus device users. The bugs seem to be specifically affecting those on the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Galaxy Nexus. One bug in particular deleted December from the People app, but Google is already on it.

    Google acknowledged the bug yesterday on the Android Google+ page, and said that the Android team was already busy on a fix. The team also clarified that the bug only affects the people app, and that December is still available on the calendar app.

    Android

    Android1 day ago

    We discovered a bug in the Android 4.2 update, which makes it impossible to enter December events in optional fields of the People app (this bug did not affect Calendar). Rest assured, this will be fixed soon so that those of you with December birthdays and anniversaries won't be forgotten by your friends and family. 2784    500 Powered by socialditto

    Google is fixing the most visible bug in Android 4.2, but users are hoping that Googles gets a few more fixes in before the end of the year. As we reported yesterday, some users are experiencing everything from random crashes to batteries that drain faster than usual.

    It should be noted that commenters in yesterday’s story let us know that their devices running Android 4.2 aren’t actually giving them any problems. The issues don’t seem to be widespread just yet, but the fact that they’re affecting more than just a few users is a problem.

    [h/t: Droid Life]

  • iPad Mini, Kindle Fire HD, and Nexus 7 Smoothies, Anyone?

    We’re not sure how BlendTec’s viral ad campaign is affecting sales of their products, but we do know it’s a damn good viral ad campaign. Whenever a new device is released – new iPhone, new tablet, new Kindle, etc. – people wonder when BlendTec will torture it. Their “Will it Blend” videos get hundreds of thousands, occasionally millions of views on YouTube.

    And the formula is simple. Take new, shiny, expensive gadgets and destroy them beyond all recognition with whirling metal blades. If that isn’t a winning strategy for views, I don’t know what is.

    The last time we checked in on the “will it blend” campaign they were testing the new iPhone 5 against the Galaxy S III. In that trial, the iPhone 5 blended a bit faster than the Galaxy S III, but they both wound up as goop and dust by the end.

    Today, we get an all-tablet episode. Check out the iPad mini, the Kindle Fire HD, and the Nexus 7 get demolished:

  • Tablets Top Holiday Buying Survey, But Not the iPad Mini [Infographic]

    The results of a new Tech Bargains survey were released today, and they show that Apple may not be the big winner in the mini-tablet market this holiday season.

    The survey shows that 53% of consumers will spend more than half of their holiday shopping budgets on electronic devices. Of the tech gifts people expect to buy, tablets are, not surprisingly, the most-wanted items of the year. What is surprising is exactly which tablets customers are expecting to buy. 33% of those surveyed expect to buy Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, while only 30% expect to buy an iPad. The iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD are tied in the survey, with 24% of respondents expecting to buy each. Bringing up the rear is Microsoft with its Surface hybrid laptop/tablet device (12%).

    It’s surprising to see Apple products that are less desired than other manufacturers’ devices. Of course, the customers who use the Tech Bargains website might not be Apple’s main customers. The website is the same one that one month ago released a survey showing that the iPad Mini isn’t particularly desired.

    Still, the high price of the iPad Mini and the low screen resolution have combined to make Apple’s smallest tablet just another mini-tablet in the new product category. Just this week a new report on shipment data shows that Apple’s overall share of the tablet market (including the iPad proper) has slipped to just over 50%, while Amazon and Asus (the makers of the Nexus 7) are gaining. The Nexus 7 is coming close to selling 1 million units per month and Amazon is confident enough in the superiority of its Kindle Fire HD that it is running homepage ads comparing it to the iPad Mini.

    Tech Tops: Holiday Shopping Lists

    Source: October 2012 Holiday Shopping Survey by TechBargains.com, your best source for deals and coupon codes.

  • Google Channels The Life Aquatic For Its New Nexus 7 Ad

    We’re only a few weeks away from the official beginning of the holiday shopping season. As such, Google is starting to kick its advertising machine for its line of Nexus products into high gear. The first ad focuses on Google’s older tablet – the Nexus 7.

    It would be hard to beat the first Nexus 7 ad as it featured a father and son camping in the backyard with dinosaurs – a velociraptor from Jurassic Park to be exact. It was pretty awesome, but Google has definitely outdone itself with an ad that channels The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou – the 2004 comedy-drama from Wes Anderson.

    Critics have traditionally called Apple a company that makes products for hipsters and mindless consumers. Samsung’s latest ads targeting Apple fans perpetuates that stereotype, but it may not be wholly accurate anymore. Apple’s latest ad for the iPad Mini is more minimalistic and could appeal to a wide variety of consumers.

    Google’s latest Nexus 7 ad is the epitome of the Internet definition of hipster, and that’s a good or bad thing depending on your outlook. Google is trying to say that its Nexus line can unlock the creativity of the individual to achieve something great. The idea will resonate with some consumers, but others are just going to see a bunch of hippies in a high-rise wasting money on an art installation.

    Either way, it’s a pretty cool ad. Strangely enough, Droid Life says that the ad has been marked as private on Google’s own Nexus YouTube page. It’s unknown when it will go back up. It’s also unknown if Google will air ads for its other new Nexus devices – the Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4.

  • iPad Market Share Falling, Samsung & Amazon Rising

    iPad Market Share Falling, Samsung & Amazon Rising

    New shipment data from IDC shows that Apple’s share of the overall tablet market has fallen to just over 50%. Meanwhile, Samsung, Amazon, and Asus have seen their shares of the tablet market explode. The entire market for tablets grew 49.5% since the third quarter of 2012.

    “After a very strong second quarter, Apple saw growth slow as both consumer and commercial (including education) shipments declined, and rumors of a forthcoming iPad mini began to heat up,” said Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at IDC. “We believe a sizable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad mini. Now that the new mini, and a fourth-generation full-sized iPad, are both shipping we expect Apple to have a very good quarter. However, we believe the mini’s relatively high $329 starting price leaves plenty of room for Android vendors to build upon the success they achieved in the third quarter.”

    Apple just today announced that it has sold three million new iPads (iPad 4) during its first three days of availability. The iPad Mini has failed to garner the same excitement other Apple product have seen. Android tablet makers have capitalized on this fact, with Amazon even running an aggressive homepage comparison between the iPad Mini and its Kindle Fire HD.

    Still, Apple is shipping over half of all tablets. Samsung is racing to catch up and currently has an 18.4% share of the tablet market. This is up from 6.5% just one year ago. Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets account for a full 9% of tablets shipped, with Asus, the makers of Google’s Nexus 7 tablet, close behind with 8.6%.

    It’s clear that the low-priced mini-tablet market is going to become a big part of the overall tablet market in the coming year. It’s also clear that Apple was late to the mini-tablet game, and that it may have priced itself too high for that particular market.

  • iPad Mini Squares Off Against The Nexus 7 In A Drop Test

    The iPad Mini launched around the world today to smaller crowds than usual. Even then, excited owners of the newest toy may accidentally drop the device. That’s why it’s important to know just how much pain the iPad Mini can take before you start taking it on sight seeing trips.

    That being said, it would be boring to destroy just an iPad Mini. That’s why the folks at Android Authority are performing a drop test on both the iPad Mini and Google’s Nexus 7. Which device will come out on top? Or will they both find that gravity truly is a cruel mistress?

    Apple fans will be pleased to know that the iPad Mini can take more abuse than the Nexus 7. In fact, the iPad Mini still functions after being dropped three times despite have numerous cracks in the screen. The Nexus 7 took far more damage and stopped functioning after the second drop.

    The drop test proved once again that Apple’s products can take a lot of abuse. There are limits, however, and the test clearly showed that users should take better care of their devices. Dropping any tablet on a hard surface will not end happily.

    [h/t: TechCrunch]

  • Google And Asus Are Making Bank On The Nexus 7

    The Nexus 7 was Google’s first attempt at the extremely competitive tablet market. Our own review found the device to be pretty fantastic and worth your money. It seems that many consumers felt the same way.

    SlashGear reports that ASUS CFO David Chang spilled the beans on how well the Nexus 7 during the company’s conference call. He said that the company is quickly closing in on one million sales a month. The increasing demand is most likely due to the device’s competitive specs combined with a low entry price of $199.

    It’s interesting to note that sales for the Nexus 7 have only been growing since it first launched earlier this year. Chang said that early sales were only around 500,000 a month, but that number has quickly grown to the almost one million sales a month that the company is currently at. It’s a good sign for Google as they prepare to launch their next tablet in November – the Nexus 10.

    The Nexus 7 will no doubt continue to perform well this holiday season thanks to a lowered price point of the 16GB model and a new 32GB model that only costs $249. Google is also releasing a 3G 32GB Nexus 7 for $299 that may help bring some consumers over who were waiting for a mobile data model.

    It will be interesting to see just how well the iPad Mini can compete against the already established, and lower priced, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Amazon is already telling consumers that its tablet is better and cheaper, but Apple is hoping to rely on its strong brand loyalty to move the iPad Minis off shelves during the holidays.

  • Google Announces Its New Line Of Nexus Devices

    Google Announces Its New Line Of Nexus Devices

    Google’s Android event set for this morning was canceled due to the vicious weather currently hitting New York City in the form of Hurricane Sandy. Some wondered if Google would also delay the expected announcements such as the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. Thankfully, Google knows that we can’t wait and decided to unveil the new devices via their blog.

    First up, Google confirmed the rumors that LG would be making the Nexus 4 smartphone. All the specs are also confirmed including the 4.7-inch display. The device will come equipped with Android 4.2, which is still called Jelly Bean. It features Gesture Typing, which Google says “lets you glide your finger over the letters you want to type on the keyboard.” The new Jelly Bean also adds support for Miracast wireless displays so you can watch movies, YouTube videos and other media on an HDTV without the use of cables.

    The Nexus 4 will be available in two flavors – 8GB and 16GB. The unlocked 8GB will set you back $299 while the unlocked 16GB will cost $349. T-Mobile will be offerring the 16GB Nexus 4 for $199 under contract. It will be available from the Google Play store on November 13.

    All of the rumors concerning the Nexus 10 have also been confirmed. The device sports a massive 2560×1600 resolution. They claim it has a powerful battery that offers up to nine hours of HD video playback. It also features two front-facing stereo speakers.

    Android 4.2 on the Nexus 10 will have the previously rumored sharing feature. It allows multiple accounts to be created on one tablet so every family member can custom tailor the device to their needs.

    The Nexus 10 will also be available on November 13 from the Google Play store. The 16GB version wil cost $399 while the 32GB will cost $499.

    As for the Nexus 7, Google confirmed the size increase. The 16GB Nexus 7 will cost $199 and the 32GB will cost $249. In even better news, Nexus 7 is also going mobile with HSPA+. The 32GB HSPA+ Nexus 7 will cost $299. Current owners of the Nexus 7 will be upgraded to Android 4.2 in the near future.

    Google Play is also getting a new feature in the form of music matching. Every Android device will now scan your personal music collection and match it against the music catalog on Google Play. All matches will be made immediately available for streaming from Google Play. The feature will be available in Europe on November 13 and in the US soon after.

    Here’s the first look at the new Nexus devices:

  • Nexus 7 Price Drops as 32GB Model is Unveiled

    It’s been known for a while and rumored for even longer that Google’s Nexus 7 tablet will be arriving in a 32GB model soon. Just last week Office Depot began offering the device through its web store. This weekend, Office Depot decided to go all-out and the store is now displaying the device in its stores across the country.

    According to a Droid Life report, the retailer put the new 32GB Nexus 7 on display yesterday for $250. Along with the new version of the mini-tablet, the 16GB version has had its price drop to only $200, putting it at the same price point as the Kindle Fire HD.

    It’s unclear whether Office Depot jumped the gun on the tablet, or whether the retailer got some sort of exclusive deal. The new Nexus 7 is still not available through Google Play, which still lists the 16GB Nexus 7 for $249, though the tablet isn’t for sale. Instead, the site has a “Coming Soon” message and an email notification request for when the tablet goes back on sale.

    The price drop and new Nexus 7 model were undoubtedly going to be a part of a Google Android announcement event scheduled to take place today. That event has been postponed indefinitely due to the threat of hurricane Sandy. It will be interesting to see whether any other expected products, such as the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10-inch tablet appear on store shelves before Google can reschedule its announcement.

  • Google Will Open The Playground At Android Event On October 29

    Apple will be unveiling the iPad Mini at an event on October 23. It seemed like that would be the last big tech announcement of the year before we head into the holiday season. Turns out Google isn’t going to let Apple have the last word as the company has just announced an Android event for October 29.

    Yesterday afternoon, Google began sending out invites for an Android event in New York City. The invitation simply says, “The playground is open.” If you recall, this was the same slogan Google used when they put a Nexus 7 ad on the Google homepage.

    Google Playground is Open October 29

    What does it all mean? The slogan is obviously referring to Google’s Nexus brand of Android products. Google’s current lineup consists only of the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus. That lineup could expand to include a lot more devices if the hints from the invitation are any indication. In fact, there’s already a few rumors floating around that LG and Sony are both making Nexus smartphones for Google.

    As for tablets, it’s looking like Google is going to stick to their guns. It’s already pretty much confirmed that Google has a 32GB Nexus 7 planned for the holidays. Beyond that, there’s the persistent rumor that Google will also start offering a $99 tablet. There’s also the interesting rumor that Google is working with Samsung to craft a 10-inch Nexus tablet.

    The Android operating system might be getting a few upgrades as wel. Cult of Android points out that the invitation’s background looks a lot like the Google Now feature on Jelly Bean. We could be in for further Jelly Bean refinements, or announcements of more devices being upgraded to the operating system.

    Google will be live streaming the event via their Android YouTube channel. You can be sure that we’ll be covering all the big announcements as they’re made.

  • Google Might Have A 32GB Nexus 7 Lined Up For The Holidays

    The current Nexus 7 costs $199 and only comes with a paltry 8GB of storage. You can upgrade to 16GB for $50 more, but a 32GB Nexus 7 for the same price would be much nicer. It seems that Google has read my mind as a 32GB Nexus 7 may be coming our way this holiday season.

    Rock Tech Daily got a hold of a print ad from the UK-based Argos. It features a 32GB Nexus 7 for only £199. That’s the current price of the 16GB Nexus 7. In anticipation of the holidays, Google may be phasing out the 8GB Nexus 7 and replacing it with the 16GB. The 32GB can then take its place as the premium model.

    Google 32GB Nexus 7

    What about US customers? Is there any word that we’ll also be seeing a 32GB Nexus 7? Android Police nabbed some screens from Staple’s online store that shows a 32GB Nexus 7 being offered for $249. They speculate that Google will replace the 16GB with the 32GB model while still offering the 8GB model for $199. That makes no absolutely no sense, and I still stand by my theory that the 8GB model will be discontinued.

    Either way, it’s pretty much confirmed that Google will be launching a 32GB Nexus 7. It could be in response to the new Kindle Fire HD which only costs $249 for its 32GB version. Google can’t afford to lose to Amazon this holiday season and the Nexus 7 is more than capable of standing up to the Kindle Fire HD.

    Both Amazon and Google could be thrown for a loop next week when Apple announces the iPad Mini. Many are speculating that Apple will charge $250 for an 8GB version. It would be more for less, but Apple fans have already proven that they’re willing to pay a premium for the experience afforded by iOS.

    As for Google, they haven’t confirmed or denied the existence of the 32GB Nexus 7. They might be waiting to announce it after Apple reveals the iPad Mini. They could also be waiting for that moment to announce a $99 tablet that could undermine tablet sales for all of its competitors.

  • Google Is Working With Samsung On A 10-Inch Tablet [Rumor]

    Google Is Working With Samsung On A 10-Inch Tablet [Rumor]

    There were rumors back in June that Google was preparing to launch a 10-inch version of its Nexus 7 tablet. There was little info at the time beyond the size of the display. Thanks to an analyst with NPD, we now know much more.

    Speaking to CNET, an analyst with NPD’s DisplaySearch said that Google would be launching a 10-inch tablet with Samsung in the future. It would be different from the Nexus 7 in that it would be marketed as a high-end device. The Nexus 7 is currently marketed as a cheap alternative to other tablets on the market.

    So what would go into a high-end tablet from Google and Samsung? The analyst says the tablet would sport a 2560×1600 resolution with a PPI of 299. That’s significantly higher than the retina display on the new iPad. As for other specs, we’re still in the dark.

    The Nexus 7 is ostensibly a Google device even though it was manufactured by Asus. Google will not take the same approach with its 10-inch tablet as the company will reportedly co-brand the tablet with Samsung.

    Unfortunately for Motorola, it’s looking more and more like Google just acquired the company for their patents. Google seems to be more interested in producing hardware with other manufacturers instead of its own manufacturing arm in Motorola. It might be for the best as Samsung is now the most trusted and well known name in the Android marketplace.

    In other news, the analyst also confirmed to CNET that Google is indeed working on a $99 tablet. He wouldn’t say who is making the tablet or any specs, but it is indeed coming. Production will start in December, however, which leaves Google out of the lucrative holiday season. It does spare the rumored tablet from the wrath of the iPad Mini which is expected to launch later this month or early next month.

  • 22% of U.S. Adults Own a Tablet Device

    The iPad ushered in the new age of tablet computing in the spring of 2010. In the two-and-a-half years since, the market for tablets has exploded, as if people were just waiting for such a device to offered. There are currently no signs that this trend is going to slow.

    In fact, the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism today released new statistics showing that 22% of U.S. adults own a tablet device, up from 11% in July 2011. Of course, back in 2011, Apple’s iPad was still almost the only game in town. Pew’s numbers show that the iPad represented 81% of the tablet market in 2011, with Android tablets making up only 15% of the rest.

    This year, the full effects of Amazon’s Kindle Fire and the rise of the 7-inch tablet market can be seen. The iPad now only makes up 52% of the tablet market, while Android devices make up the other 48%. Kindle Fires (which run on a version of the Android operating system) make up 21% of the market alone. Pew states that 68% of tablet-owning adults purchased their tablet in the past year.

    It’s clear that as enthusiastic as consumers were for the iPad, many were waiting on a lower-priced tablet. Apple will attempt to enter (and will likely dominate) the 7-inch tablet market later this year with the iPad Mini. It will face more competition than it ever has, though. Amazon recently announced its updated Kindle Fire lineup, and Google is rumored to be launching a $99 tablet before the end of the year.

    Even in the 10-inch tablet market Apple will be facing new competition. With the release of Microsoft’s new hybrid tablet/desktop Windows 8 operating system, manufacturers such as Samsung and HP have announced tablet devices for every niche, including enterprise.

  • Apple iPad Accounts For 98% of Tablet Web Browsing, Report Says

    As popular as Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets are, it seems that customers who use the tablets are not often using them to browse the web.

    Onswipe, a company that specializes in creating touch-screen experiences for the web, today released the results of a new study that looked at what tablet devices people were using to access their websites. The unsurprising result is that the iPad is the tablet most people were using. What is unexpected is the scale of the iPad’s dominance: the device accounted for 98.1% of Onswipe’s unique impressions.

    The study looked at Onswipe’s web data from September 13th to September 20th. The company announced on its blog that the data covered 29.5 million unique impressions from 1200 different sites. “The iPad is clearly a browsing device,” said Jason Baptiste, Onswipe CEO.

    The runners-up for web-browsing tablets are the Samsung Galaxy Tab with 1.53%, the Motorola Xoom with .21%, the Amazon Kindle Fire with .11%, and the Asus Tablets (presumably the Nexus 7) with .06%.

    So, if the iPad is for web browsing, what are people using the other tablets for? One thing to consider is the sheer number of iPads that have been sold. Apple set the standard for the tablet industry the same way it did with smartphones, and iPad sales outnumber other tablets by millions. Still, that alone might not account for such a dominant representation on the above graph.

    Another possibility is that smaller tablets, such as the Galaxy Tab, the Kindle Fire, and the Nexus 7, are being used for the consumption of content other than the web. Amazon, in particular, has created its Kindle Fire tablets to be perfect at pushing content (books, streaming video, apps) straight from Amazon’s ecosystem.

    It also has to be considered that Onswipe’s websites might appeal more to iPad users for some reason. With 1200 websites and 29 million impressions included in the study, though, it probably gives a good overview of tablet web browsing as of this year.

    (via Apple Insider; Image courtesy Onswipe)

  • Google’s Eric Schmidt Dances Gangnam Style in Korea

    Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt recently took a trip to the Google offices in Korea and was greeted by none other than PSY, the man behind the viral sensation “Gangnam Style.”

    According to Google, Schmidt presented PSY with a framed Google Doodle and then asked to be taught how to dance Gangnam Style.

    Of course, Schmidt didn’t travel all the way to South Korea to learn to dance. He was there attending the Nexus 7 event – just a few days after launching the device in Japan. But Eric Schmidt and Gangnam Style? That’s compelling and must be investigated.

    Here, we have an (admittedly crappy) video of the scene at the Google offices in Korea. Nevertheless, you can still recognize Schmidt, surrounded by enthusiastic Koreans:

    And here’s a photo of the exchange, courtesy Google Korea:

    I guess Schmidt had to embrace the fad, considering Gangnam Style is now officially the most-liked video in the history of YouTube. For more Gangnam Style-related mashups and remixes, check here.

    [via The Next Web]

  • Google May Undermine iPad Mini Launch With $99 Tablet

    Google’s Nexus 7 tablet is pretty awesome. It’s awesome enough to be eating into a market long held by Apple and Amazon. The sophisticated hardware combined with the low price of $199 make it an appealing choice for those who prefer the openness of Android versus the walled gardens of the iPad and Kindle Fire. The Nexus 7 does face its biggest threat this year, however, with the rumored launch of the cheaper, and smaller, iPad Mini.

    According to reports from DigiTimes, Google is not taking the launch of the iPad Mini lightly. The iPad Mini is rumored to cost about $300, but it would still eat into the market of the cheaper Nexus 7. How do you compete with a name like Apple? Offer an even cheaper tablet.

    Industry sources are saying that Google and Asustek are working on two Nexus 7 tablets to be announced and released before the end of the year. One of the tablets will cost the usual $199, but the other will be priced at a far more competitive $99. Both models are reportedly thinner and use TN panels for the display.

    As for other specs, we’re still in the dark. We can gather that the $99 tablet would be more of an entry level tablet for those who don’t require the latest cutting edge technology. The $199 tablet would most likely be an upgrade to the already existing Nexus 7 tablet. The Kindle Fire HD has proven to be more powerful than the Nexus 7, and Google is no doubt looking to compete on the same level.

    Like always, it’s important to take all of this with a truckload of salt. Asustek has denied the reports, but that’s par for the course in the tech industry. DigiTimes and their sources called the launch of the original Nexus 7 so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Besides, a $99 tablet from Google would absolutely destroy the competition this holiday season.