In 2010, Apple sold 15 million iPad units. Now, the company is selling the iPad 2, and around the United States, the device is practically impossible to find. Even those who order the tablet online need to wait weeks for it to arrive at their homes. But it’s a much different story on the Android side. Tablets running on Android, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom, haven’t been selling all that well. In fact, a recent report from Deutsche Bank claims Motorola has sold just 100,000 Xoom tablets since that device’s launch more than a month ago. That’s not good news for Motorola, and it’s certainly not good news for all the companies looking to try their luck in the tablet space in the coming weeks and months. But luckily for those firms, all is not lost. With the right strategy and a few smart moves, Android tablets can succeed along with Apple’s iPad 2.Read on to find out what Android tablets, including those that are out now, will need to offer in order to be a success in that hotly contested space this year.
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A Better Operating System
Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" was supposed to be the operating system that would finally put Apple on notice. But after using it on the Motorola Xoom, consumers have quickly realized that it’s nothing of the sort. It has odd design quirks, it’s buggy, and it fails to live up to the hype. Android tablet makers should keep that in mind and think seriously about waiting for Google to fix those problems before they release their own devices.
A Google Tablet
In the smartphone market, Google made a very smart move: It launched a device with its name on it. By doing so, it brought attention to Android and made customers think twice about the iPhone or RIM’s BlackBerry. The time has come for Google to do the same in the tablet space. If it offers up its own tablet, it can showcase its take on tablets and potentially drive more demand for Android-based slates.
4G Out of the Box
One of the biggest mistakes Motorola made with its Xoom was not offering 4G out of the box. Instead, those who buy the device will need to wait for the free upgrade. Going forward, Android tablet makers must make 4G available and offer it as soon as the customer breaks the device out of the box. Apple’s iPad 2 lacks 4G. That’s a good thing for Android tablet makers, and it should be exploited.
Google’s Focus
It’s hard to say where Google is focused right now. The company undoubtedly has designs on commanding the mobile market, but it also has a new leader at the top in company co-founder Larry Page. So far, Page hasn’t outlined his strategy with Google. But in order for tablets to be successful, Page must ensure that his company is focusing on delivering a worthwhile experience in all tablets running Android. If he can do that, Android slates should have a much greater chance of winning over consumers.
A Single iPad Competitor
When the Motorola Xoom was first announced, everyone compared the device to Apple’s iPad. The only issue is it did little to actually compete with Apple’s tablet. And in the end, there are still no worthwhile competitors to the iPad 2 on store shelves. The time has come for a single Android tablet to compete on the same level as the iPad 2. If it can do that, consumers might finally warm to the idea of buying a tablet other than one made by Apple.
A Worthwhile Enterprise Option
The corporate world is still waiting on a worthwhile tablet. And what better way for Android to succeed than for a company to offer a device that would appeal to those customers. The Cisco Cius, which is expected to launch later this year, might just be that device. It will come with video conferencing options and run Android. It will also have a 7-inch display. If that device can be a success, Android might have a better chance of catching on in the tablet market.
Many More Apps
When Apple CEO Steve Jobs discussed the iPad 2, he mentioned that Android tablets had a select few apps available to them. The iPad 2, he said, would ship with an available 65,000 applications. It was a major discrepancy that caught on in the mobile market. In order for Android to be a success in the tablet space, more apps must be developed for it.
Strength in Numbers
If the smartphone market has proven anything, it’s that Android can be a success as more and more devices running the operating system hit store shelves. That’s precisely why more Android tablets need to hit store shelves. If the market is flooded by those products, each and every tablet running the operating system has a better chance of succeeding. It has happened in the smartphone market, and it could happen in the tablet space.
A Commitment to Large Displays
One of the issues with the Dell Streak, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, is that those devices have small screens. The Streak has a 5-inch display, while the aforementioned Galaxy Tab comes in with a 7-inch display. The iPad 2, on the other hand, has a 9.7-inch screen. Whether Android tablet makers like it or not, the iPad 2 is the device by which all other tablets are judged. And if a product has a smaller display, consumers will take issue with that. Going forward, large displays could mean a greater chance of success.
Cheaper Pricing
The Motorola Xoom is available without a contract for $800. With a two-year commitment, it costs users $600. That’s an expensive proposition, considering the most expensive iPad 2 model goes for $829 and the cheapest version retails for $499. In order for Android tablets to succeed, they must be cheaper than the iPad 2 but deliver the same value. It might be hard, but it’s what’s necessary in a market that’s dominated by such an entrenched competitor.
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In 2010, Apple sold 15 million iPad units. Now, the company is selling the iPad 2, and around the United States, the device is practically impossible to find. Even those who order the tablet online need to wait weeks for it to arrive at their homes. But it’s a much different story on the Android side. Tablets running on Android, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom, haven’t been selling all that well. In fact, a recent report from Deutsche Bank claims Motorola has sold just 100,000 Xoom tablets since that device’s launch more than a month ago. That’s not good news for Motorola, and it’s certainly not good news for all the companies looking to try their luck in the tablet space in the coming weeks and months. But luckily for those firms, all is not lost. With the right strategy and a few smart moves, Android tablets can succeed along with Apple’s iPad 2.Read on to find out what Android tablets, including those that are out now, will need to offer in order to be a success in that hotly contested space this year.