RIM's PlayBook attracting developers, but lags behind iPad: Survey - Tehran Times

Developers are increasingly interested in Research In Motion’s upcoming PlayBook platform, at least according to new survey data posted by Appcelerator and research firm IDC. However, that same data suggests the iPad and Android tablets continue to dominate developers’ attention.

Appcelerator and IDC surveyed some 2,235 Appcelerator Titanium developers earlier in January on “perceptions surrounding mobile OS priorities, feature priorities, and mobile development plans in 2011,” according to a note posted on Appcelerator’s Website.

Based on 1,971 developers’ responses, the percentage “very interested” in developing for the PlayBook platform has increased from 16 percent in September 2010 to 28 percent this month. By contrast, interest in developing for the iPad rose from 84 percent to 87 percent during that same period. Interest in Android tablets bumped from 62 percent to 74 percent.

In other words, despite that accelerating interest in the PlayBook, the platform continues to lag behind most competing tablets—except for the still-hypothetical devices running Palm webOS, which placed last among tablets with 16 percent “very interested.”

Hewlett-Packard, which acquired Palm in 2010, has yet to announce any tablets running the operating system, although it is expected to do so at a Feb. 9 event. Rumors are also circulating that HP plans on introducing a netbook running webOS, in addition to tablets and smartphones.

Competition with tablets is due to increase exponentially throughout the rest of 2011. In addition to the next-generation iPad expected to debut sometime in the next few months, manufacturers ranging from Toshiba to Motorola have Android-based tablets in the works. Seeking to differentiate itself within that crowded field, RIM plans on marketing the PlayBook as a device with particular appeal to the enterprise, a longtime customer base for the BlackBerry franchise.

The publication DigiTimes recently suggested that both Motorola and RIM have placed substantial tablet orders with their Taiwanese component makers. RIM will launch a WiFi-only version of the PlayBook this quarter, with a 4G-enabled version available via Sprint by summer. 

Consultancy firm Deloitte recently estimated tablet shipments in 2011 at 50 million units, ahead of research firm IDC’s predictions of 44.6 million units for the year. “Although some commentators view tablets as underpowered media-consumption toys suitable only for consumers,” Deloitte reportedly wrote in its annual sector forecast, “in 2011, more than 25 percent of all tablet computers will be bought by enterprises, and that figure is likely to rise in 2012 and beyond.”   (Source: eWeek)

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iPad iOS 4.2 Update: Keeping developers on side

About time or what? Finally Apple is releasing a new update for the iPad! But… is this enough to keep the developers interested and on side? We have already brought you the Gold Master iPad iOS 4.2 update previously but there is still the unknown question of when this will be being released.

The fact that the iPad has barely had an update since it was released when you consider how many updates have come through to the various models of iPhone, so the question I am asking is why? Is there unrest with the developers?

Head across to bnet to read the full article by Erik Sherman around the unrest with developers and Apple’s plans for world domination. Erik mentions a little bit about each of the platforms including Android and Microsoft and how Android continue to take the spotlight from Apple. Erik also mentions that he feels Microsoft’s new mobile platform is gaining at least the same amount of attention as the iPad. Do you agree?

So what features would you expect to see in the update? Perhaps multi tasking, improved enterprise features and improved email would go down well. Is there anything you feel is missing from the iPad? Something that you think would turn this device from good to great? Let us know in the comments below.

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<b>iPad</b>: Bigger Screen Means More Profit for Developers: Apple «

A new report says people are willing to pay more for iPad apps than they are for those that support only the iPhone, and the gap may be growing. The average price for an iPad app has risen 14.5 percent in the last six months, while the average iPhone app has only experienced a 2.3 percent rise.

The average selling price of an iPad app is just under $5, and that number grows to $5.80 for those found in the top 100 paid apps list. On the iPhone, the average app sells for just above $4, and when you look at the top 100, that number drops to only $2.14. That makes successful iPad apps 171 times more expensive than their iPhone equivalents.

The iPad has only about 13 percent of the total 300,000 apps available in the App Store, with 37,887 titles as of this writing. And only 7 percent of titles are universal, meaning they work on both devices. So while the volume business isn’t quite there yet, and it’s early yet to make any definitive pronouncements, it does seem like iPad owners are willing to spend more on apps than those carrying iPhones.

I know I feel more comfortable spending $9.99 or more on apps for my iPad. The difference in screen size accounts for some of this, which is tied to an increase in usability on the Apple tablet. Also, since the iPad exists somewhere between a smartphone and a computer, I feel comfortable paying prices for software somewhere between what I expect to pay on either platform.

Given that users seem willing to pay more for the iPad, and given that investment in the development process seems to be about the same for apps for both it and the iPhone, I think we’ll see a lot more interest in the platform. We’ve already seen that devs and publishers are keen on providing iPad offerings, and if the device really does sell as much as many are saying it will next year (subscription required), I think iPad-specific apps could see way more growth than anticipated in 2011.

If you’re an iPad owner, are you willing to pay more for apps for your tablet than you would for the iPhone or iPod touch? And if you’re a developer, is iPad development an attractive option because buyers are willing to pay more?

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