Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

What The Heck Happened To Apple's iPad Sales?
Business Insider ^ | 07/24/2013 | Henry Blodget

Posted on 07/24/2013 9:28:28 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

It wasn't long ago that Apple fans were slapping each other on the back and crowing about how, one day, Apple would be known as "the iPad company." The theory was that iPads were such a mega-hit new product category that iPad sales would continue to grow at astronomical rates until, eventually, they might even eclipse sales of the iPhone.

You don't hear that theory much anymore.

Why not?

Because, despite the launch of a cheaper iPad last year--the iPad Mini--the growth of Apple's iPad sales has screeched to a halt.

Because, despite the launch of a cheaper iPad last year--the iPad Mini--the growth of Apple's iPad sales has screeched to a halt.

In the June quarter, Apple's iPad sales dropped a startling 14% year over year, to only 15 million units.

Even after adjusting for channel inventory, iPad sales to consumers dropped 3% year over year.

This in a tablet market that is projected to grow about 50% this year.

So, what's going on?

Well, part of the issue is a tough comparison with last year: The iPad with a retina screen launched in the June quarter last year, and this triggered a nice jump in iPad sales in that quarter--to 17 million units from 12 million in the prior quarter. That set a high bar for this year's June quarter.

But that's not the whole problem.

The larger problem, arguably, is that Apple is trying to maintain premium pricing in a market in which competitors are increasingly selling high-quality iPad alternatives for significantly lower prices.

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: apple; ipad; sales
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last
To: SeekAndFind

“The larger problem, arguably, is that Apple is trying to maintain premium pricing in a market in which competitors are increasingly selling high-quality iPad alternatives for significantly lower prices.”

Essentially, that’s always been Apple’s business model. They have to keep releasing novel things, just to get a few years where there is no real competition, and then they can clean up. Once that window closes and people start releasing similar products that are a lot cheaper, instead of adjusting their prices downward to be competitive, Apple takes the sales losses.


21 posted on 07/24/2013 9:44:34 AM PDT by Boogieman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

You are saying what I have been saying to all these goober that think laptops and desktops are going away. If you do real work you need one. If you are a social media hog then a tablet is fine.


22 posted on 07/24/2013 9:49:11 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: LongWayHome

The cloud. Just another waste of time that will be exposed as crap and a boon for the government and thieves. Too bad businesses have bought into this mirror game to save a buck. You have absolutely no control over anything that is not on your system. Accounts, passwords, anything.


23 posted on 07/24/2013 9:51:32 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

My iPad is about that old and I really like it. It is my library now and I have over 200 books on it and keep adding when new books come out. My daughter gave me a new iPhone for my bd back in January and I am still using my old one. If it works, I don’t like to change. My iPad does everything I use a puter for. It is easy to use, portable, lightweight, etc.


24 posted on 07/24/2013 9:52:47 AM PDT by MamaB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Resolute Conservative

It’s easy for older people to use....my mom’s bingo games & some of the local papers she reads can float in the clouds for all she cares:) Everything you do is known somewhere by someone these days as we have found out.


25 posted on 07/24/2013 9:55:58 AM PDT by LongWayHome
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

OT question: I have an Ipad tablet but I am interested in upgrading to a droid based tablet. Trouble is, I’ve bout a bunch of movies on ITunes and I’m afraid I won’t be able to access or download them to a droid. Is this a legitimate concern?


26 posted on 07/24/2013 9:56:49 AM PDT by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I love my iPad. It does everything I need and I’m certain that I will have it for awhile. I can’t be the only one. I think that has a lot to do with slow sales; the people that initially bought them see no reason to buy another so soon..


27 posted on 07/24/2013 9:59:05 AM PDT by cardinal4 (Skip impeachment and move straight to deportation..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

This is the continuing story of the total collapse of the electronics industry.
Customers are demanding new devices faster than the industry can produce them.
Electronics manufactures spend all their energy chasing customers and never recover their development costs.

Electronics industries who have already died:
Home audio
Home video
Car audio

Ones which are starting to die:
Desktop computers
Laptop computers
Computer graphic cards

In danger of collapse do to no profit:
Smartphones
Tablets


28 posted on 07/24/2013 10:00:39 AM PDT by Zathras
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

I use win8 on my desktop, laptop, phone, and surface - absolutely love it. Different? Yes. Bad? To the contrary. It moves the windows experience into the modern, multiple device world. Can’t beat having all of your work kept in sync across all devices.

My desktop isn’t touch and win8 is just as easy to use as win7 and XP for those that like to use a 15 year old technology.


29 posted on 07/24/2013 10:01:19 AM PDT by HonorInPa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

The new Google Nexus 7 inch tablet is coming out at the end of the month, and it will have a high resolution display that is BETTER than Retina. Plus, it will cost only $229. I, for one, made the switch to Android with my phone, and I am pleased with my choice. Don’t get me wrong—I still love my iMac and my work-issued iPad gets a good workout. But, Apple is not bulletproof despite their outer appearance.


30 posted on 07/24/2013 10:06:35 AM PDT by Arkansas Toothpick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K
I would probably have driving to Seattle and torn Bill Gates’ nutsack off like a bathroom paper towel dispenser

Dude! I'm still laughing. I feel your pain with regards to W8, but not as much as Bill would feel if you did as you suggest. LOL!!!

31 posted on 07/24/2013 10:13:57 AM PDT by Sergio (An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Win 8 is applicable to touch technology hardware which wasn’t very prevalent last year. There are now a growing number of laptops and desktops with touch tech and using Win 8 on them is a breeze. It is very easy to intermix touch actions with mouse and keyboard actions with Win 8 on a touch laptop. When I do upgrade my laptop in another year or so it will be touch tech with Win 8 or its successor.


32 posted on 07/24/2013 10:18:17 AM PDT by RJS1950 (The democrats are the "enemies foreign and domestic" cited in the federal oath)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
My two cents, and I hate to say it, having worked for Apple in the past (freelance contract) and affiliated companies (remember Claris?)... When Apple founder Steve Jobs died, the heart and soul of the company vanished overnight. They will struggle along, but barring some miracle, I would not be surprised if Apple is gone or close to it in five year's time.
33 posted on 07/24/2013 10:20:17 AM PDT by Joe Brower (The "American People" are no longer capable of self-governance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

I have one of the original ipads and have seen absolutely no reason to upgrade.


34 posted on 07/24/2013 10:22:48 AM PDT by sheana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

Remind me to never make you mad.


35 posted on 07/24/2013 10:25:43 AM PDT by listenhillary (Courts, law enforcement, roads and national defense should be the extent of government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: circlecity

All movies and TV shows rented or purchased from iTunes have digital rights management restrictions. Because Android doesn’t support Apple’s iTunes DRM, video from iTunes won’t work on Android.


36 posted on 07/24/2013 10:29:29 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid (Demand Common Sense Nut Control.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: LongWayHome

I bought a Chrome laptop last Christmas for Mrs. R2.

Because she could not open, edit and view Microsoft Word - she won’t use it.

I love it. Its fast and easy. And no chance of viruses ever.


37 posted on 07/24/2013 10:36:45 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: PaForBush

what kind of work do you do?

When I am trying to open a File Explorer to look at data out put fuile, run the Visual Studio debugger, run my program AND a Word document containing the specs, a tablet interface that makes those ‘apps’ run full-screen DESTROYS my productivity


38 posted on 07/24/2013 10:45:47 AM PDT by Mr. K (4 election)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: listenhillary

just guard your nutsack!!!


39 posted on 07/24/2013 10:47:09 AM PDT by Mr. K (4 election)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Mr. K

especially when in the middle of all that an email comes in and takes over the whole screen

AND, when a 20 mimnute compile is going on and I want to play a little solitaire, AND watch the news AND Freep, it is FULL SCREEN APPS!!!

you can only do one at a time


40 posted on 07/24/2013 10:49:25 AM PDT by Mr. K (4 election)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson