To me, this sounds very close to the Idea vs Execution we are all so familiar with here at HN. People who know can't really claim that it's because Apple came first - Windows had tablet devices before. People also can't claim it'd because Apple learned from earlier tablets, because others have come after that aren't as good. It's a result of Apple producing a good tablet.
I have a PlayBook I use for day-to-day in my day job, and it sometimes feels as if some design decisions were made to deliberately be different from Apple. However, it leads to an overall inferior experience for me, that I'm close to giving up on the device. I can't see myself recommending it to anyone, except for the fact that it plays Flash. However, even that issue isn't as big as it was before.
I'm still hoping someone else produces a compelling product to challenge Apple, whether it be Google, Amazon, or Microsoft. It would not be good for all inovations in this product category to only come from one company.
Yes, and not just anybody producing a good tablet, but Apple producing a good tablet.
> it sometimes feels as if some design decisions were made to deliberately be different from Apple
It is tough to follow without being labeled a follower. If you do things the same way, you are branded a copycat; if you do things differently, people will say you are trying too hard to appear original even though in reality you are no different from others (this was Apple in the early 2000s -- remember how some people criticized them for trying too hard with fruity-looking iMacs, etc.?) Being different works, but you have to do it consistently as well as strengthen your image with positive real-life outcomes.
I have a PlayBook I use for day-to-day in my day job, and it sometimes feels as if some design decisions were made to deliberately be different from Apple. However, it leads to an overall inferior experience for me, that I'm close to giving up on the device. I can't see myself recommending it to anyone, except for the fact that it plays Flash. However, even that issue isn't as big as it was before.
I'm still hoping someone else produces a compelling product to challenge Apple, whether it be Google, Amazon, or Microsoft. It would not be good for all inovations in this product category to only come from one company.