DyslexicAlucard
Member
I think there is zero chance of a Windows 8 tablet that is competitive with iPad 3 on specs and price, and I doubt on user experience or ecosystem either. There is no mindshare battle here, Apple has won it, it's over. I want to see competition as much as the next guy, it's good for everyone, but I just don't see where it's realistically coming from in the near to medium term.
I think there's room for a tablet that does more than an iPad does; essentially what Windows 8 promises to be: a portable, fully-functional Windows PC. The iPad is great at what it focuses on, but it's not as robust as a PC. I'm not saying MS takes even, like, 10% of the market in the next year or anything, but I think it's not unheard of to say that MS could take a piece of the tablet pie. 10 years ago, no one thought Apple would come back into prominence, and look where we are now.
As for what's next for iPad 4, or even iOS in general? Well, they can't just keep going the "sharper, faster" route forever. They need a complete overhaul of the OS and interface. The whole layout of the iOS platform is getting stale, and a new look would do wonders in making me care about the platform again--even if it is mostly just a cosmetic difference.