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Does anyone *really* use Android tablets?

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Jeremy Toeman

My friend Harry has done some deep sleuthing (read: he Googled it) and it’s seeming that two of the “user testimonials” in Samsungs latest ads are in fact made by actors:

I did notice, however, that freelance travel writer Joan Hess bears a striking resemblance to New York actress Joan Hess:

And that real estate CEO Joseph Kolinski could be New York actor Joseph Kolinksi‘s twin brother:

Filmmaker Karl Shefelman, on the other hand, looks a lot like…filmmaker Karl Shefelman. Who works for a New York production company. One that’s done work for Samsung.

Don’t fret too much folks, they aren’t the only ones to have faked some reviews.

Now I know I’m a long-time non-fan of Android, and my experience with the Xoom is only exacerbating those feelings, but really, what is going on here?  I wrote a post back in the day explaining why I felt the tablet market was generally doomed, but the iPad proved me wrong.  Or did it?  Is the reality that only Apple can ship a “tablet-like product” successfully?

I think the answer might be something like “for the overwhelming majority of regular people, absolutely yes.”

As far as I can tell, the best use of any Android tablet presently on the market is to develop apps for Android tablets.  Yes, I’m dead serious with that comment.  Laptop mag just did a head-to-head comparison with the Xoom and iPad 2, and somehow actually managed to make it a “close call” – but then again, the guy writing it somehow managed to find the Android interface “better” than the iPads.  If you are technically proficient, interested in widgets, and like coding, I could see that perspective.   If you aren’t, it’s flat out wrong.  But I digress (like usual).

So I come back to the key question here: who is using these things, and to what end?  I’ve *never* seen one in the wild, and I live in the utter mecca of techieness (heck I even see Nooks on the bus to work).  Further, I’ve yet to meet a single person outside of the tech echochamber who is even really aware of these devices, let along truly in the market for one.  Go to the retail stores and try to get demos – there’s typically at most a single person in a store who even knows how to demo them (and yes, I do go to stores and do ask these kinds of questions – and anyone who claims to understand regular consumers and how they use technology should do at least the same)!

I’m working on another post (coming soon) on where I feel there is a market opportunity for HP and the like to bring tablets to market successfully, but if there’s one aspect I’m utterly convinced of – there is virtually no consumer market for non-iPad tablets. And by “virtually none” I’ll go with “about a million in North America, maybe two tops.”

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Posted in Mobile Technology | Tags: android, fake reviews, Honeycomb, HP, ipad, iPad 2, samsung, Tab, Tablets, Xoom | 13 Comments
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13 thoughts on “Does anyone *really* use Android tablets?”

  1. Louis Gray says:
    March 25, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Yes. They do. I use my Samsung Galaxy Tab all the time and will not be buying an iPad 2. Not interested. The 7 inch Galaxy Tab of last year is already better than what Apple has delivered now. If Samsung wants to put me in their next videos, they know how to find me.

    Don’t be a hater. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jeremy Toeman says:
    March 25, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    @Louis: way to bring the fanboyism… 🙂

    Reply
  3. Bruce Lidl says:
    March 25, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    If you see people using a Nook Color, then you are seeing people using an Android tablet out in the wild, if a specifically purpose-built one. Since you’re in SF, they may have rooted it and are running a full-blown version of Android on it, which is actually a pretty fun way to get an interesting gadget for very cheap (~$200).

    I actually think the rumors about Amazon putting out an e-reading focused inexpensive Android tablet indicates a possible future for non-Apple tablets. We’ll see.

    Reply
  4. Louis Gray says:
    March 25, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    When I talk about Mac, I am called a fanboy. When I talk about Google, I am called a fanboy. I can take the narrow view from people unwilling to try alternatives.

    I really like Windows Phone 7
    I really like Mac OS X
    I really like Android

    It’s simple. I use the best stuff and the Samsung Galaxy Tab is good stuff.

    Reply
  5. Ron says:
    March 25, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    I saw a Galaxy Tab once in the wild… it was fun, bizarre… kinda what it must be like finding a unicorn. Here’s another test, go into Best Buy and see who is groping the demos. The Tab and the Dell Streak (don’t laugh) were all on their own. There was a line up for the iPad. So yes, maybe there is no such thing as a tablet beyond the iPad. Here is my hold out for a competitor… and you’re going to think I’m crazy… Microsoft. I really like Windows Phone 7. When/if that is ported to a tablet, it *could* be interesting. Too little too late? Maybe. But from a UX POV, if could be comparable.

    Reply
  6. Pingback: One tablet to rule them all? « A Musing

  7. Da says:
    March 27, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Tablets are really of little use- too big to be mobile, too small to replace the TV. Apple fans pretty much buy whatever Steve Jobs puts in front of them. For most people, a phone and laptop are enough.

    Reply
  8. Paul @ Fitness Assessment says:
    June 26, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    lets hope no one starts to use android tablets and actually lets hope no one else buy another tablet because lets be honest……they are pointless, use a bloody laptop or a phone. /rant ^^

    Reply
  9. Bryan says:
    July 25, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Of course, tablets are a bit of a fad, but I did go into Best Buy recently, and there was a rather nice, large display of mostly-Android tablets. And there were quite a few people looking at those tablets. Some looking at the iPad as well, but no line-up for the iPad. Now did anyone actually buy any of those tablets? I don’t know. However, I predict in a year or so it will be the Rise of the Tablet/Laptop Hybrids, and the lines will blur as to what is a laptop and what is a tablet…

    Reply
  10. Kent Karlsson says:
    August 4, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    My first thought was “are you f-ing kidding me??”… LOL, then I saw the date of the post. Yeah, things have changed, as predicted my some, feared by others. Android is still a baby learning to walk but I tell ya, when tablets really take off, everyone is going to want one and I can bet almost anything that a majority of the devices will be Android devices. The way things are looking now it could be an Apple Android or Microsoft Android, but Android is here to stay.

    Reply
  11. Sam says:
    October 21, 2011 at 1:42 am

    I miss the days of yellowed-paper books.

    Reply
  12. Steve O says:
    December 1, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Since this is still at the top of google results when you do the recommended search for “best uses for android tablet”, I’ll weigh in.

    There are several Android devices that can do everything the iPad can do better, with the caveat of a less robust app store (although of course, there are less restrictions on which Android apps are available). Many people are choosing the tablet with the best hardware or peripherals at their price point, instead of the one that’s easiest to use.

    Reply
  13. Matt R. says:
    January 7, 2012 at 12:35 am

    I was told about the Toshiba Thrive in February 2011, and they finally came out during the summer. I have had one now since December. I gave my apple product to my mom and love the ability to use my USB Drive, a mouse or keyboard, I even got a docking port for two USB ports. This thing hauls butt and I get the android craze now. It just works better for a device that does it all, or only what you need. Apple locked their stuff down so curiosity gets shot in the head, android lets you see how it works. Not everyone needs to but it works on your little phone and your tablet and you -could make your own version if you wanted.

    What -can a tablet do? Nobody knows, we haven’t figured it out yet because we are wasting time making apps for tablets.

    Reply

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Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

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