50 percent Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners may switch to iPhone 7: IDC

Image: Hui Renjie

By tech2 News Staff /  01 Nov 2016 , 10:42

Who will gain from Samsung’s loss? This has been on everyone’s mind ever since Samsung Note 7 fiasco hit headlines compelling the company to recall Note 7 completely (in a fireproof box) and offer refund to users. It has paved way to other Android premium device, but the most obvious answer has been the iPhone 7. There have been reports claiming 5-7 million users may switch to iPhone 7. Now, a new IDC report about those who owned the exploding Galaxy Note 7 states that half of these users may switch to the iPhone 7.

IDC has surveyed 1,082 US consumers via an online survey on 17 and 18 October, which was mere four days after Samsung pulled the plug on Note 7. It was conducted on  507 current Samsung users, 347 who have owned the device and 228 who have never owned Samsung device. It included 24 Note 7 users. However, out of these 24 users, half said they have or will choose an iPhone to replace the recalled Samsung device, while 17 percent said they would choose another Samsung device.

Apple iPhone sales during the quarter is 45.5 million units, but it is down from 48 million in the same quarter last year. However, in Q4 earnings call Apple had already reported a record number of Android switchers. The Note 7 fiasco might just help further increase the numbers for Apple.

It was just recently that prolific analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI (via 9To5Mac) said Apple will be eating into Samsung’s share with at least 5-7 million ex-Note 7 users will switch to the iPhone 7, and majorly to the larger iPhone 7 Plus.

The Galaxy Note 7 was Samsung’s big bet to take on the Google Pixel and iPhone 7. Unfortunately, it never really went on sale in India. Samsung is now trying to appease users with the older Galaxy S7 and S7 edge models. However, a Galaxy S8 is said to be in the making and the company is trying to push it out as soon as it can to make up for the losses. However, we hope Samsung takes the extra time for a thorough security check, this time.

The drastic fall in tablet shipments is a sign of the changing times, and that includes the Apple iPad

By Nimish Sawant /  01 Nov 2016 , 11:46

Tablets shipment numbers haven’t been able to maintain the same momentum as smartphone sales. In it’s latest quarterly tablet tracker, International Data Corporation (IDC) states that the worldwide tablet market has seen a slump with a 14.7 percent year-on-year decline in terms of shipments. In Q3 2015, the tablet sales stood at 50.5 million units, which came down to 43 million units in Q3 2016. But when compared to Q2 2016, the Q3 2016 shipments were up by 9.8 percent, thanks to upcoming holiday season.

One of the major reasons being stated is the rise in low-cost detachables being sold under $200 (approx Rs 13,500). But according to IDC’s senior research analyst Jitesh Ubrani, low cost detachables also lead to a low cost experience, which is detrimental.

“The race to the bottom is something we have already experienced with slates and it may prove detrimental to the market in the long run as detachables could easily be seen as disposable devices rather than potential PC replacements,” said Ubrani.

The state of tablets

Among the tablet makers, only Amazon and Huawei showed a growth from last year. Apple with 9.3 million units sold is still a market leader in the tablet category with a 21.5 percent market share. Samsung follows with 6.5 million units sold and 15.1 percent market share. Amazon at number 3 recorded the largest year-on-year growth of 319 percent thanks to the Amazon Prime Daily Sale, which saw the

Big data, business analytics to hit $203 billion by 2020, says IDC report

By Conner Forrest  | October 3, 2016, 9:41 AM PST

A spending guide by IDC forecasts that the big data market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7% though 2020, led by five distinct industries.

The big data and business analytics (BDA) market is predicted to hit $203 billion in the year 2020, up from $130.1 billion in 2016, according to research firm IDC. The findings, released Monday, come from IDC's Worldwide Semiannual Big Data and Analytics Spending Guide.

"The availability of data, a new generation of technology, and a cultural shift toward data-driven decision making continue to drive demand for big data and analytics technology and services," said Dan Vesset, group vice president of analytics and information management at IDC, in a press release.

One of the most interesting takeaways from the report were the