At last count, Apple’s iPad has more than 66 percent of the tablet market to its name. Android-based tablets, on the other hand, have only about 26 percent of the tablet space under their control. All other tablet makers that are trying to grab market share with their own platforms are trailing far behind those competitors. Considering all that, it appears that Apple will dominate the tablet space for at least the next year. But what will happen after that? Surely Apple will continue to sell a large number of iPads, and the company’s products should continue to set new benchmarks in the tablet space. But as the Cupertino, Calif.-based company continues to face pressure from all sides, it might not take long for Apple to be toppled as the tablet leader. Of course, there are some that say it can’t happen. They point to the iPad’s success so far and say that Apple has cemented its position as the market leader. But those folks fail to realize that many people said the same thing about the iPhone. Although Apple’s handset is the best-selling smartphone in the world, total worldwide sales of Android devices are easily eclipsing it. Therefore, it’s worth pointing out that while the iPad might lead all devices in unit sales for the foreseeable future, it will eventually be overcome by competitors. This eWEEK slide show explains why.
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It’s a Numbers Game
The biggest issue standing in the way of Apple’s iPad is the sheer number of Android-based tablets coming to the marketplace. Over the next several months, prominent companies, including Amazon and others, will be offering Android-based tablets. As in the smartphone space, the sheer number of Android products shipping could cause the iPad to lose its control over the market.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire
As soon as Amazon announced the Kindle Fire, just about everyone agreed that its $199 price tag could be a game-changer. Research firms echoed that sentiment, with many of them saying Amazon’s slate could have a profound impact on the tablet market. Although the Kindle Fire might not match iPad 2 sales initially, Amazon’s aggressive pricing could eventually help its tablet trump Apple’s in total sales.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire
As soon as Amazon announced the Kindle Fire, just about everyone agreed that its $199 price tag could be a game-changer. Research firms echoed that sentiment, with many of them saying Amazon’s slate could have a profound impact on the tablet market. Although the Kindle Fire might not match iPad 2 sales initially, Amazon’s aggressive pricing could eventually help its tablet trump Apple’s in total sales.
Missing Steve Jobs’ Influence
Let’s face it: Steve Jobs was the visionary behind Apple’s iPad. But now that he has passed away, the company’s future is in the hands of Tim Cook, a CEO who just doesn’t have the vision that Jobs did. That alone could scuttle Apple’s chances of indefinitely staying dominant in the tablet market.
The Lack of 4G
Apple seems to be against 4G connectivity in the mobile space. The company was expected to bring it to the iPad 2, but didn’t. It was also expected to offer it in the iPhone 4S, but balked at the idea. Other tablets, however, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, come with 4G support. Apple’s decision to leave out 4G could come back to haunt the company.
More Vendors, More Problems
All this talk of Android forgets the fact that other companies are also trying their luck in the mobile space with unique operating systems. RIM, for example, has the BlackBerry PlayBook, which runs its new tablet operating system. With Windows 8 around the corner, vendors will likely jump to that platform as well. With all the competitors the iPad faces it’ll be tough to stay atop the tablet space.
Beware Windows 8
Speaking of Windows 8, that operating system could very well become a major issue for Apple. The OS, which is expected to launch last year, can be used by any vendor to bundle with their products. So far, only a few companies have publicly signed on to Windows 8 for their tablets. But considering some analysts believe Microsoft could sell more than 300 million licenses of its next OS, it might not take long for other companies to jump on the bandwagon. Windows 8 could be a real threat to Apple and its iPad.
Google’s Influence on Motorola Mobility
Google keeps saying that it will have no influence over Motorola Mobility after its $12.5 billion acquisition of that company closes. But does anyone really believe that? The search giant wants Android to succeed in the tablet space and it has its sights set on Apple. Look for Google to play an active role in Motorola’s future tablets and expect those devices to sell exceedingly well. Google understands mobile customers, and that can’t be discounted.
The Tablet Price War
When HP announced that it was discontinuing its TouchPad tablet, the company dropped the price of the device down to $99. Instantly, the tablet became a hot item for consumers. The Kindle Fire, at $199, has become a similarly appealing device, thanks to its price tag. Now, tablet vendors are thinking seriously about becoming price leaders to compete against Apple’s iPad 2, which starts at $499. Given the success of cheaper tablets, that strategy might just work. And in the process, the iPad might lose some of its influence.
The Commoditization Killer
Although Macs are selling well, Apple still has a long way to go to catch competitors. The reason for that is simple: the PC market has become commoditized. Apple bucks that trend by offering more sophisticated (and well-designed) products. The strategy is great for profits, but bad for market share. Looking ahead, it appears the tablet market might also become commoditized. After all, there’s only so much companies can pack into tablets. As the latest releases show, there aren’t too many differences between some of the top devices. If the tablet market becomes commoditized, expect Apple to suffer.
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See All Slideshows
At last count, Apple’s iPad has more than 66 percent of the tablet market to its name. Android-based tablets, on the other hand, have only about 26 percent of the tablet space under their control. All other tablet makers that are trying to grab market share with their own platforms are trailing far behind those competitors. Considering all that, it appears that Apple will dominate the tablet space for at least the next year. But what will happen after that? Surely Apple will continue to sell a large number of iPads, and the company’s products should continue to set new benchmarks in the tablet space. But as the Cupertino, Calif.-based company continues to face pressure from all sides, it might not take long for Apple to be toppled as the tablet leader. Of course, there are some that say it can’t happen. They point to the iPad’s success so far and say that Apple has cemented its position as the market leader. But those folks fail to realize that many people said the same thing about the iPhone. Although Apple’s handset is the best-selling smartphone in the world, total worldwide sales of Android devices are easily eclipsing it. Therefore, it’s worth pointing out that while the iPad might lead all devices in unit sales for the foreseeable future, it will eventually be overcome by competitors. This eWEEK slide show explains why.