Homepage
PR Newswire
19-11-2010, 07:40 AM
Anyone used an iPad before? I wonder what's the draw? 
Nov 19, 2010
55,000 iPads snapped up in 3 months
[i]But cheaper, feature-rich tablets will give Apple a run for its money[/i
By Irene Tham
PEOPLE in Singapore snapped up more than 55,000 units of the Apple iPad in three months after the touch-screen tablet's July launch here.
For those who are still holding out for lower prices, the wait may be over soon.
A price war is imminent as Apple's rivals introduce their cheaper and more feature-rich alternatives to the iPad.
Launched this month: Samsung's Galaxy Tab and Toshiba's AS100.
Next month, Dell will introduce its Streak touch-screen tablet and Creative Technology its Ziio - touted as the cheapest touch-screen tablet at $359 for the basic model.
Sensing that the competition is heating up, Apple has begun discussions with at least one telco here to sell its iPad discounted and bundled with a data plan, The Straits Times earlier reported.
Currently, buyers can get the iPad only at Apple retailers. Those who want to surf on the go with the device need to buy a data plan separately from the telcos.
Ms Shirleen Kok, general manager of market research firm GfK Singapore, said that with the new models, consumers 'can be sure of more competitive pricing'.
Already, the telco subsidy for the Galaxy Tab, powered by rival operating platform Android, has worked its magic.
SingTel said that more than 500 units of the Galaxy Tab were sold during the launch at the weekend.
Consumers can get the tablet from its exclusive distributor SingTel at a discounted price - ranging from zero dollars to $538 - when they buy a data plan.
Comparatively, the most basic iPad model with no 3G function is pricier at more than $700.
Price aside, the Galaxy Tab is slightly smaller than the iPad and sports a camera feature, expandable memory space through an SD card slot and the ability to make calls.
Ms Sandy Ng, 42, a human resource executive, said she is drawn to the Galaxy Tab's telephony and camera features, both of which are absent in the iPad.
The self-professed Apple gadget buff already owns several iPhone models and the iPad, but she bought a Galaxy Tab anyway. Now, she uses it as her primary mobile phone.
'My iPad is like a white elephant now,' she said.
All eyes will be on Creative Technology when it launches the cheapest touch-screen tablet here.
The Ziio's 7-inch basic model will be selling for $359 next month. The higher-end model - with a 10-inch screen and 16GB capacity - will go for $459. This is about half the price of an iPad with similar specifications.
Dell has not disclosed its price for Streak.
At 55,000 units in three months, the take-up rate for the iPad is the same as that for the iPhone - specifically Apple's third-generation iPhone 3GS launched here in July last year, said GfK.
The market research firm expects the sale of touch-screen tablets to outpace that of notebooks - at more than 30,000 units every month - as more players enter the market.
GfK's Ms Kok said the iPad's popularity hinges on the success of the iPhone and Apple's mobile applications, or apps.
'Many iPad buyers are already using the iPhone and its apps,' she said.
Globally, Apple's App Store has more than 250,000 apps for the iPhone and iPad.
Many iPad buyers are drawn to the abundance of education and entertainment apps for their children, said Ms Kok, citing feedback from retailers.
Versatility is another attraction of the iPad. 'Its users cut across a wide spectrum, from senior executives to young children,' said Mr Jimmy Fong, the chief executive of Apple retailer EpiCentre.
He said: 'Senior executives use it to take notes during meetings or write e-mails as the screen is big enough. Even pastors use it to deliver their sermons.'
itham@sph.com.sg
Nov 19, 2010
55,000 iPads snapped up in 3 months
[i]But cheaper, feature-rich tablets will give Apple a run for its money[/i
By Irene Tham
PEOPLE in Singapore snapped up more than 55,000 units of the Apple iPad in three months after the touch-screen tablet's July launch here.
For those who are still holding out for lower prices, the wait may be over soon.
A price war is imminent as Apple's rivals introduce their cheaper and more feature-rich alternatives to the iPad.
Launched this month: Samsung's Galaxy Tab and Toshiba's AS100.
Next month, Dell will introduce its Streak touch-screen tablet and Creative Technology its Ziio - touted as the cheapest touch-screen tablet at $359 for the basic model.
Sensing that the competition is heating up, Apple has begun discussions with at least one telco here to sell its iPad discounted and bundled with a data plan, The Straits Times earlier reported.
Currently, buyers can get the iPad only at Apple retailers. Those who want to surf on the go with the device need to buy a data plan separately from the telcos.
Ms Shirleen Kok, general manager of market research firm GfK Singapore, said that with the new models, consumers 'can be sure of more competitive pricing'.
Already, the telco subsidy for the Galaxy Tab, powered by rival operating platform Android, has worked its magic.
SingTel said that more than 500 units of the Galaxy Tab were sold during the launch at the weekend.
Consumers can get the tablet from its exclusive distributor SingTel at a discounted price - ranging from zero dollars to $538 - when they buy a data plan.
Comparatively, the most basic iPad model with no 3G function is pricier at more than $700.
Price aside, the Galaxy Tab is slightly smaller than the iPad and sports a camera feature, expandable memory space through an SD card slot and the ability to make calls.
Ms Sandy Ng, 42, a human resource executive, said she is drawn to the Galaxy Tab's telephony and camera features, both of which are absent in the iPad.
The self-professed Apple gadget buff already owns several iPhone models and the iPad, but she bought a Galaxy Tab anyway. Now, she uses it as her primary mobile phone.
'My iPad is like a white elephant now,' she said.
All eyes will be on Creative Technology when it launches the cheapest touch-screen tablet here.
The Ziio's 7-inch basic model will be selling for $359 next month. The higher-end model - with a 10-inch screen and 16GB capacity - will go for $459. This is about half the price of an iPad with similar specifications.
Dell has not disclosed its price for Streak.
At 55,000 units in three months, the take-up rate for the iPad is the same as that for the iPhone - specifically Apple's third-generation iPhone 3GS launched here in July last year, said GfK.
The market research firm expects the sale of touch-screen tablets to outpace that of notebooks - at more than 30,000 units every month - as more players enter the market.
GfK's Ms Kok said the iPad's popularity hinges on the success of the iPhone and Apple's mobile applications, or apps.
'Many iPad buyers are already using the iPhone and its apps,' she said.
Globally, Apple's App Store has more than 250,000 apps for the iPhone and iPad.
Many iPad buyers are drawn to the abundance of education and entertainment apps for their children, said Ms Kok, citing feedback from retailers.
Versatility is another attraction of the iPad. 'Its users cut across a wide spectrum, from senior executives to young children,' said Mr Jimmy Fong, the chief executive of Apple retailer EpiCentre.
He said: 'Senior executives use it to take notes during meetings or write e-mails as the screen is big enough. Even pastors use it to deliver their sermons.'
itham@sph.com.sg
My Value Investing Blog: http://sgmusicwhiz.blogspot.com/
