a16z Podcast a16z Podcast: Apple and the Fate of Tablets
Apr 25, 2014
Benedict Evans, a technology analyst known for his sharp insights on Apple and the digital economy, joins the discussion to unpack the latest Apple earnings. He reveals how iPhone sales are soaring while iPad sales stagnate, raising questions about the diminishing role of tablets in a smartphone-dominated world. The conversation explores whether developers are prioritizing phone apps over tablets, the impact of this shift on innovation, and what this could mean for future Apple products and their market strategy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
iPad Sales Have Plateaued
- iPad unit sales flattened over the last year instead of following previous product-cycle ups and downs.
- Benedict Evans argues this signals plateauing demand rather than a temporary slowdown.
Tablets Squeezed Between PCs And Phones
- Tablets are being squeezed between persistent PCs and increasingly capable smartphones.
- Many people either keep their PC or rely solely on smartphones, leaving tablets as an accessory for some users.
Smartphones Crowded Out Tablet Apps
- Chris Dixon suggests smartphones crowded out tablet-focused app development because entrepreneurs chased the newer mobile platform.
- Benedict Evans agrees opportunities are larger for pocket devices, explaining developer attention shifted to phones.