h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yes, like a lot of multinationals these days it's lots of divisions. But, if the actions of one division are actively hurting the profits of another division, then the overall board will start to take a look. I'm guessing that at the moment they're not hurting them that much, and the reliability of continued profits from the division that's selling to Apple is keeping them that way.
However remove that reliable income, like Apple have just done by dropping Google for TomTom, and the balance starts to shift a bit.

Plus, when these supply deals were done Samsung didn't really make any phones of note. The S2 and S3 however are utterly gorgeous pieces of hardware. Although I own a HTC SensationXL because the screen's slightly larger.

There are a lot more good, non-Apple phones out there now. And the Android share of the market is increasing very quickly. In fact, I think that Samsung is now the largest phone manufacturer in the world. How long will Apple's constant bickering to keep them out of the States keep up? How long will Samsung keep supplying Apple while Apple keeps shafting Samsung?

It could be years, it could be weeks. But if Apple drop Samsung with another supplier in place, then Samsung's trump card is lost. However, if Samsung drop Apple then sheer consumer demand for products would force the patent trolls hands.

I'd imagine that in reality there are probably other suppliers that Apple could go to, and no doubt given the famously litigeous nature of the tech guys from Cupernitro i'd imagine there supply contracts are pretty legally water tight. My guess is it would harm Samsung massively to break contracts and that also they earn megabucks from supplying (what is still the single largest shipped individual model of Smartphone).

My suspicion though is that now that Jobs is dead there will be a slightly different corporate philosophy from Apple anyway. I expect they will be a little more conservative at boardroom level and will eventually look to a degree of cross licencing over patents and drive a revenue stream.

I think the worry for them in particular, but for the whole sector in general, is that governmental, media and popular dissatisfaction with the patent system as it applies to IT will lead to legislative action that I am sure none of hte existing big players would really want.

FB

It's not impossible to get Samsung here, we just have to wait a much longer time to get the new models...some of which have to be certified, model by model, as not infringing on the patent challenges put up by Apple. We got the Galaxy 7" Tablets over a year after Europe did. When the phones do get here, they're frequently as much money as an iPhone, have some of their features turned off and only available through the most expensive telecoms -- AT&T and Verizon.

On the other hand, I have a Samsung pre-smartphone model which is absolute cr@p! Wish I could afford the Sammy G II.

The iPhone isn't the largest single shipped model, the Galaxy S2 is. Globally that is.

Contracts also tend to come to an end time wise and need renewing, I doubt either party would break a contract, but I can see both not renewing one.

We have both Sony Readers and Kindles. The Sony Reader is more versatile and handles a much wider variety of file formats, so a lot of public domain material such as Gutenberg becomes available. The Kindle is slicker, has a browser and wireless or even 3G so you can connect and buy a book instantly if you want. But you are restricted to what Amazon want to sell you.

Those, to me, are the, most important distinguishing features.

Well I don't want to sound a heretic but i must say I think the Microsoft Surface tablet actually looks pretty tidy. I'm impressed, and with the Asus Transformer Infinity UK release date slipping, and slipping (august now).

The only trouble is you get locked into your eco system don't you? I have spent hundreds of pounds on Android apps over the years and really would be most annoying to have to go through the expense of moving to another ecosystem.

I rather suspect that this is going to get worse and worse for most people, well those happy to pay for Apps in any case.

FB

I saw this article yesterday and got some satisfaction from it. Linus Torvalds gives the finger to Nvidia. After the great disappointment I had with my Adam tablet, much of which could be attributed to Nvidia's proprietary driver issues, I certainly feel the same way.

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/06/torvalds-nvidia-linux/


As to the "Surface", I haven't had a chance to see many details, but the little I've heard this morning sounds interesting. I, of course, like the cover/keyboard and the idea of a full blown PC able to run full versions of software like Photoshop, at first sounds very nice indeed. But I'd have to see how it actually works. The interface could be an issue if not handled properly. Also, what's the battery life like? How much will it actually cost. I don't see it being "competitively priced".

Guesses on price in one of the articles from yesterday put it at "comparable to an ultrabook" -- whtever that may be.

I subscribed to updates on Surface, just to learn more...

I like the look of the Surface, convinced me once and for all not to buy an iPad or transformer for the moment. The main problem with those is I can't develop on them, and that's what I do.

You can, or rather should be, able to get an emulator running to run Android apps on a PC. Android apps are just written in Java, but use some libraries specific to Android. I've got an emulator running on this PC for when I'm developing them, it's not great I'll admit, but it's part of the IDE I use to develop. I'd be surprised if there wasn't something better out there.

As for pricing for the Surface, estimate are running between £400 and £800 depending on what people think the battery life will be.

A couple of things worry me about the surface though I do like the look. Firstly they will apparently lack a front facing camera. One of the things I find my tablet most useful for is Skype and Google Hangouts. Seems an astonishing loss of functionality (though why anyone wants a properly good camera on the back I do not know).

And I do rather worry about price a little.

In all honesty I shall probably get a Transformer Infinity when released but the wait is killing me!

FB

I've very rarely used the front facing camera on my laptop. Don't think I'll miss it.

As for the price, we'll have to wait and see. If it's comparable with the new laptop I need to get myself towards the end of the year, then I'll probably go for it.

Well, have to say the Nexus 7 looks pretty decent. And very good at the price. Whilst I am sorely tempted I am:-

a) Really not sure about the 7" form factor, not really sure that is big enough for how I use tablety.

b) Only 8-16gb of storage and no MicroSD slot (really what is Google's problem with MicroSD, none of the Nexus devices have them) I just know that isn't nearly enough storage for me on a tablet on which I will want to watch films, listen to music and read comics.

But.... 199 quid, tis a bargain.

FB

I thought they were aiming for $199 or about £128. Basically aiming for the same price as the Kindle Fire. Of course, that's not available outside the US yet either so I can't compare the mark up.

At that low price, I'm surprised how good the specs look; quite similar to my Transformer prime as far as the basic processors. Of course, by the time the Nexus 7 hits the market, Amazon will be upgrading the Fire.

As far as the 7 inch designs, I can see where they could be quite handy. Personally, I really like my 10" Trans. Prime but carrying it around with its keyboard can get a bit hefty.


BTW, I'm still interested in any suggestions on what to do with my old Adam. One friend has offered to buy it, but I think she'd be better off waiting for the newer, cheaper tablets this fall. I don't think she really understands how much you have to learn about rooting/flashing/etc the Adam requires to just be usable.

I think I am just going to give my Vega away to someone with kids who could do with a computer it doesn't matter if they break.

I think the problem with Tablets designed for Froyo is they are just not really usable enough unless you are a nerd/android enthusiast. And people like that are not normallt interested in the last generation technology.

FB

Have referred this thread:-

F19585?thread=8294675&post=110632527#p110632527

Here, people asking about buying a second hand tab!!!!

FB

The Asus made, Google designed Nexus 7 may be the one to bring Android tablets to the masses. I'll be recommending it to folks that aren't ready to "invest" $500 or more.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/07/nexus-7-will-turn-a-profit-for-google-and-asus/

I have one on order. Should be with me during the next week!

FB

Give it a good shake down let us know what you think about it.

I had a quick poke at a nexus 7 last week, it seems lovely except I could help but think it should have been bigger.

Of course with its size you don't need a retina screen, and it's a lot more portable. But, well, it just kept seeming too small.

Mind you, if the rumours of the iPad Mini are to be believed, Apple think it's the right size too.

Sure will.

I was about to buy mine from a retailer called eBuyer. Had it "in the cart" and everything. And at that precise moment saw a tweet saying about a cashback offer at PC World. So stopped eBuyer and bought one from there.

Only to discover eBuyer shipped last night and people are getting their NX7s today, D'Oh!

For the want of three quid difference in price i'd have had mine today TBH!

FB