Comments for HELPMEUSETECH'S BLOG http://www.helpmeusetech.com Helping People Navigate A Technology-Filled World... Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:32:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Comment on HP Touchpad Tablet Fire Sale: Is It A Ploy To Gain Market Share? by helpmeusetech http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1208#comment-13 helpmeusetech Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:32:10 +0000 http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1208#comment-13 I don't know what the manufacturing cost of the device is. I'm fairly certain they lose money on each one at this point. If this webOS venture fails, they are already out the money the spent to buy Palm as well as all of the hardware/software development costs incurred since then. Something I read this morning indicated that the TouchPad sales were second only to the iPad recently. Would it be worth taking a bath on one version of the hardware to keep the operating system viable? It doesn't mean that the hardware needs to remain this inexpensive going forward. Perhaps they could also sell updates and upgrades to the OS or bundle them with a certain number of purchased apps. That could increase their revenue stream a bit. I don’t know what the manufacturing cost of the device is. I’m fairly certain they lose money on each one at this point. If this webOS venture fails, they are already out the money the spent to buy Palm as well as all of the hardware/software development costs incurred since then.

Something I read this morning indicated that the TouchPad sales were second only to the iPad recently. Would it be worth taking a bath on one version of the hardware to keep the operating system viable? It doesn’t mean that the hardware needs to remain this inexpensive going forward. Perhaps they could also sell updates and upgrades to the OS or bundle them with a certain number of purchased apps. That could increase their revenue stream a bit.

]]> Comment on HP Touchpad Tablet Fire Sale: Is It A Ploy To Gain Market Share? by jimspice http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1208#comment-12 jimspice Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:18:51 +0000 http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1208#comment-12 $99 is clearly below the break-even point. I could understand this for a reader-type device, like the Nook Color, where you could expect to generate profit later from eBook sales. Or if there were an extensive app store that would produce income down the road. But that's not the case with webOS. I think HP just wants out. I too attempted to get my hands on one or two. However, I would have used the most assuredly forthcoming hack to install Android. Now THAT'S a deal. $99 is clearly below the break-even point. I could understand this for a reader-type device, like the Nook Color, where you could expect to generate profit later from eBook sales. Or if there were an extensive app store that would produce income down the road. But that’s not the case with webOS. I think HP just wants out.

I too attempted to get my hands on one or two. However, I would have used the most assuredly forthcoming hack to install Android. Now THAT’S a deal.

]]> Comment on Google Buys Motorola Mobility: What Does It Mean? by jimspice http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1166#comment-11 jimspice Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:17:33 +0000 http://www.helpmeusetech.com/?p=1166#comment-11 My prognostications: Look for the Motorola Mobility name to disappear entirely. Google will continue to bend over backwards to make Android open to third party hardware vendors. I believe gathering information is still their primary goal, and they want their OS on as many machines as possible to achieve that goal. Many of Google's past acquisitions have been almost entirely about buying talent -- i.e. the staff -- at the purchased companies. I agree this might not be the case here, patents being the primary objective. Unfortunately, this will mean HUGE downsizing. If I were a Motorola grunt, I'd purchase my exercise ball NOW and start practicing balancing skills, or otherwise interview skills will need to be honed. My prognostications:

Look for the Motorola Mobility name to disappear entirely.

Google will continue to bend over backwards to make Android open to third party hardware vendors. I believe gathering information is still their primary goal, and they want their OS on as many machines as possible to achieve that goal.

Many of Google’s past acquisitions have been almost entirely about buying talent — i.e. the staff — at the purchased companies. I agree this might not be the case here, patents being the primary objective. Unfortunately, this will mean HUGE downsizing. If I were a Motorola grunt, I’d purchase my exercise ball NOW and start practicing balancing skills, or otherwise interview skills will need to be honed.

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