Google, Amazon, Barns & Noble, or Apple. And now Windows.

[irv]

Looks like all these companies are trying to make our life more mobile, and get some of our money to boot.

Google with the Nexus 7 http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57469245-93/google-nexus-7-tablet-available-through-staples/

Amazon with the new Kindle http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/amazon-to-take-on-iphone-sources-20120710-21sfo.html

Barns & Noble with the Nook Tablet http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-tablet-barnes-noble/1104687969

Apple with the ipad http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/07/10/apple_to_launch_new_ipad_in_china_on_friday_july_2 0.html

And Window with the Surface RT http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt/4505-3126_7-35332494.html

Not to mention many others, like the Chromebook, the ipad Mini and all the different smart phone, and that list is getting very long.

The point being, if you want to really go mobile Which one to go with????

I myself have gone with a couple of tablets already, and after using them for awhile I went back to using my laptop.
I guess my thoughts would be if I want to go smaller, I would go with a Netbook. Maybe the new Asus with Ubuntu.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on mobile devices. What would you prefer and why? Phone, Tablet, laptop, Netbook, pad or what ever?

[JRV]

My mobile device is an Asus 901 netbook, anything smaller is too small. I do not have, or want, a cell phone. And I can't see the point in a device without a keyboard.

[irv]

My mobile device is an Asus 901 netbook, anything smaller is too small. I do not have, or want, a cell phone. And I can't see the point in a device without a keyboard.

We both think alike on this one. I need a keyboard and I have one pre-paid cell that I carry in the car in case of a breakdown or if one of the kids needs to get a hold of me. I spend a hundred dollars a year on it. No monthly charges. Even with the two tables I had, and one I still have, I don't like the touch screen.

[Merk42]

My mobile device is an Asus 901 netbook, anything smaller is too small. I do not have, or want, a cell phone. And I can't see the point in a device without a keyboard.Most of these are geared towards media consumption, not media creation, maybe that's why you can't see a point in them.

[azangru]

Canonical, where art thou?

[codingman]

Sheesh, they think they can force people to buy a tablet, or phone. If I had to I would go for an Asus tablet. Sad how the computer world is turning away from hardwired desktops to Ultrabooks and tablets and phones.

[codingman]

Most of these are geared towards media consumption, not media creation, maybe that's why you can't see a point in them.

yeah, but, some people want to make the media, and tablets are making people not make media, by not allowing it. So, the question is, will desktops and laptops stay around much longer?

[irv]

I believe there will always be a place for Desktops (workstations) and laptops for us who really need them and use them. I, like many have a desktop, laptop and even a server in my home. My main computer is my laptop, and that's the one that goes with me where ever I go. That makes me mobile enough. I do have a Nook for reading, and I have my big screen and a Sony Blue-ray for movies, and also a Roku box in the bedroom. What more do I need.

[Paqman]

And I can't see the point in a device without a keyboard.

I can probably type as fast or faster on a soft keyboard like Swype as I can on a hardware keyboard. For natural language soft keyboards are pretty awesome these days.

[Paddy Landau]

Canonical, where art thou?
Ubuntu for Android (http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android) — Smart move in my opinion.

[drawkcab]

netbook...lenovo x120e...small and portable with a comfy keyboard for work...at $300 not terrified to have it stolen

of course I have a smartphone too

[irv]

Ubuntu for Android (http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android) — Smart move in my opinion.
I agree, this is a smart move. I have been watching and waiting for a Android device to come out with this, but so far none have. I am not a cell phone person, but if one did hit the market I would be in line to purchase one. Along with the monitor, keyboard and mouse. A mobile phone that can be used as a computer.

[irv]

netbook...lenovo x120e...small and portable with a comfy keyboard for work...at $300 not terrified to have it stolen

of course I have a smartphone too

What OS are you running on the Netbook?

[fatality_uk]

I carry my tablet everywhere (Galaxy Tab 7 running CM9 ICS + Jelly Bean add-ons) I also have a Motorola Xoom, which is great but lacks flexibility my tab gives me. It's instant on ability means that during snap meetings, of which I have a few, I can take it out, fire it up and make notes and be ready to finish the meeting before some people have got into a Windows bootloader on a laptop.

[jonathonblake]

The point being, if you want to really go mobile Which one to go with?


What will you use the mobile device for?
What platforms offer the applications for that use-case?
If that usage requires integration with other devices, do you currently own those other devices?


Just because a platform offers ten million apps, that does not mean that software that meets your requirements is available for that platform.

jonathon

[irv]

What will you use the mobile device for?
What platforms offer the applications for that use-case?
If that usage requires integration with other devices, do you currently own those other devices?


Just because a platform offers ten million apps, that does not mean that software that meets your requirements is available for that platform.

jonathon

Three interesting points.
I find that having all my information in the cloud, I can get to it from just about anywhere. I use UbuntuOne, Google Drive, and Dropbox for data files, plus Google for email and photos. So if I am on my laptop, or my wife's Chromebook I can get at my files.

So to answer
#1, basically for the Internet.
#2 Ubuntu or ChromeOS with either Ubuntu apps and Chrome apps.
#3 Just my Camera which is a Kodak Video camera and it has a SD card that can be read by either Laptop or Chromebook.

My Nook is useless except for reading book, email, and facebook. I can use it for the forum but I hate to type on it. Any tablet or phone as far as that goes.

[sunfromhere]

I would like to see what's done with laptops (and computers) - you buy hardware, you choose software (Apple is an exception here).

The idea of gluing a piece of hardware to a piece of software seems so last century to me (Apple again an exception, to each his own).

ATM my mobile phone irritates the heck out of me because it *IS* a Linux, albeit all of the Linux qualities ripped from it. The idea of me buying anything that ties me to a platform of somebody else's choice is an abomination of modern technology.

:guitar:

Basically, I want hardware on which I can install a Linux distro of my choice.

[irv]

I just read this article this morning and I have to say I totally disagree with this remark:

You can fight all you want but we are moving towards a world where the device that you carry, be it a smartphone or tablet will replace your existing desktop or laptop.
http://gearburn.com/2012/07/has-windows-8-killed-the-android-tablet/

Laptop and desktop will not go away or be replace by tablets and phones. Yes people will use these devices but not get rid of there computers.

Also he said that the Windows 8 tablet will target Android and that the apple ipad will not be hurt as much by it's release. Again, I disagree. Win8 tablet and the ipad are in their own price range, while the rest of the market tend to keep the price at a level buyers will think very hard to resist. I know I wouldn't spend 5 or 6 hundred dollars on a tablet, but 2 to 3 hundred would and did temp me.

So I would say that if Win8 tablet will hurt anyone it would be apple. I say this because a lot of the market is either apple or PC (windows based). So they will go with apple or win8. Android is an entity all by itself and it has it's user base.

[mips]

I just read this article this morning and I have to say I totally disagree with this remark:

http://gearburn.com/2012/07/has-windows-8-killed-the-android-tablet/

Laptop and desktop will not go away or be replace by tablets and phones. Yes people will use these devices but not get rid of there computers.

I could see this happening if you are average Joe just needing normal office apps, watching movies, doing email etc.

Plug your smartphone into a dock with LCD screen, keyboard, mouse, hard drive etc attached and you have a fully functioning desktop environment. Canonical/Ubuntu is working on this with several manufacturers.

http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/256728/ubuntu_os_for_smartphones_may_come_next_year.html
http://www.intomobile.com/2012/06/04/ubuntu-coming-smartphones-early-next-year/

It's not for the power user though that needs a proper workstation or gaming rig. So in the end laptops & computers will not go away but I can see a LOT of people simply just using their smartphone/tablet if we take into consideration what the general populous uses their computers for. I reckon the latest smart phones are probably more powerful than the laptop I have lying on my desk (can't play full HD movies).

[mamamia88]

My mobile device is an Asus 901 netbook, anything smaller is too small. I do not have, or want, a cell phone. And I can't see the point in a device without a keyboard. There is the difference between me and you. I have a netbook but guess what? It stays at home. You know why? It doesn't fit in my pocket and I don't feel like carrying a bag that I can leave lying around or have someone steal it. When I'm out and about it's usually for a reason. When i have downtime when i'm out i don't need a full computer. i just need something to kill time like a book, music, or games. A phone will do most of that stuff halfway decent. I still have a kindle, mp3 player, and playstation vita but if i was to carry only one thing it would probably be a galaxy note. Anything that doesn't fit in my pocket isn't going with me unless i'm going on a long trip.

[irv]

Isn't it great that we all have different needs and different way of doing thing. That's why we have so many devices to choose from. for us who like keyboards and hate phones, we like laptop and netbooks and now even a chromebook, and like I saw today, a $149 laptop runs Android ICS, looks like a MacBook Air. (http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/149-laptop-runs-android-ics-looks-like-a-macbook-air-2012067/)
Then like others have posted if it don't fit in the pocket it won't go with them.
Still always the same, different strokes for different folks.

[kurt18947]

I could see this happening if you are average Joe just needing normal office apps, watching movies, doing email etc.

Plug your smartphone into a dock with LCD screen, keyboard, mouse, hard drive etc attached and you have a fully functioning desktop environment. Canonical/Ubuntu is working on this with several manufacturers.

http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/256728/ubuntu_os_for_smartphones_may_come_next_year.html
http://www.intomobile.com/2012/06/04/ubuntu-coming-smartphones-early-next-year/

It's not for the power user though that needs a proper workstation or gaming rig. So in the end laptops & computers will not go away but I can see a LOT of people simply just using their smartphone/tablet if we take into consideration what the general populous uses their computers for. I reckon the latest smart phones are probably more powerful than the laptop I have lying on my desk (can't play full HD movies).

I could see that as well if the industry can agree on standards. It seems like USB3 is plenty fast for a connection standard. I don't have a smart phone but occassionally see the results of others' efforts posting from their smart phones - I certainly HOPE a real keyboard would have helped.

[pqwoerituytrueiwoq]

So, the question is, will desktops and laptops stay around much longer?
how else will we play main stream gpu/cpu demanding games?

holy crap i am not the only person on earth (aside from my dad) who does not have or care about a cellphone

the only way i could use something that would fit is my pocket (assuming the pocket is not just that dam big) would be holographic projections not sure how to satisfy the fell of a real keyboard

[irv]

Ubuntu for Android (http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android) — Smart move in my opinion.
Will the Ubuntu Phone OS Look This Good? (http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/07/will-the-ubuntu-phone-os-look-this-good?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+d0od+%28OMG%21+Ubuntu%21%29&utm_content=FaceBook)
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[Paddy Landau]

Will the Ubuntu Phone OS Look This Good? (http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/07/will-the-ubuntu-phone-os-look-this-good?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+d0od+%28OMG%21+Ubuntu%21%29&utm_content=FaceBook)
As far as I know, there will not be any Ubuntu Phone.

An Ubuntu phone would have to compete head-on with iPhone and Android, and I honestly don't see Canonical making a profit from that.

Canonical is instead concentrating on creating Ubuntu for Android (http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android), which will be a completely different kettle of fish. I see this as a more promising approach, and it may be a success.

[whatthefunk]

I dont have any idea why people want to spend their whole lives glued to little screens. Everybody I know who has a smart phone or tablet wastes countless hours "consuming" pointless media and using facebook. Whats the appeal of this? Its a beautiful world people! And its best viewed in real life, not through a lens or plasma screen!

[nrundy]

Looks like all these companies are trying to make our life more mobile, and get some of our money to boot.

Google with the Nexus 7 http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57469245-93/google-nexus-7-tablet-available-through-staples/

Amazon with the new Kindle http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/amazon-to-take-on-iphone-sources-20120710-21sfo.html

Barns & Noble with the Nook Tablet http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-tablet-barnes-noble/1104687969

Apple with the ipad http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/07/10/apple_to_launch_new_ipad_in_china_on_friday_july_2 0.html

And Window with the Surface RT http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt/4505-3126_7-35332494.html

Not to mention many others, like the Chromebook, the ipad Mini and all the different smart phone, and that list is getting very long.

The point being, if you want to really go mobile Which one to go with????


I don't like any of these.

Kindle is nice but is way to restrictive and proprietary. Plus I MUST register the device to use it. This requirement is ridiculous and I will never purchase it because of this.

Nook is nice but I cannot stand how it hypenates so much of the writing. Plus I prefer kindle buttons and design

Apple is evil because of how proprietary it is.

Windows just makes crappy software in general.

Google wants to sell me and make money on it. I'm not into that. I value my privacy.

Have to wait and see if Boot To Gecko or Ubuntu can remedy this situation.

[Linuxratty]

I believe there will always be a place for Desktops (workstations) and laptops for us who really need them and use them.

As do I. I have no interest in tablets or cell phones...Zero.
I see tablets as status symbols,nothing more.And i have no cell phone.

[Grenage]

I dont have any idea why people want to spend their whole lives glued to little screens. Everybody I know who has a smart phone or tablet wastes countless hours "consuming" pointless media and using facebook. Whats the appeal of this? Its a beautiful world people! And its best viewed in real life, not through a lens or plasma screen!

Probably best asked elsewhere, where the denizens aren't all net addicts. ^^

[whatthefunk]

Probably best asked elsewhere, where the denizens aren't all net addicts. ^^

I like the internet too, but its nice to leave it at home and do something else sometimes.

[Grenage]

I like the internet too, but its nice to leave it at home and do something else sometimes.

Yup, couldn't agree more. :)

[irv]

Who me addicted? I'm 35 miles from home and still on the internet.
Sitting in a Coffee house having a cup and surff'en the web.
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[lancest]

Irv-another interesting thread.

We're moving out of the dark ages of computing.