News Analysis: Google's Android platform is expected to make a serious play for the tablet market. But when it's all said and done, Apple's iPad will have the best year of all.
If 2010 was the year of anything in the technology industry, it was tablets.
Apple's iPad ushered in a new craze in the marketplace
that will stay on the minds of consumers and enterprise customers around the
world for the foreseeable future. Its influence was bolstered by competing
devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Dell Streak that appealed to customers
in their own way.
Considering
the importance of tablets in 2010, most believe that they will be even more
prominent in 2011. Multiple vendors plan on getting into the market with the
majority of those companies putting their efforts behind Google's Android
platform. They seem convinced that, as in the smartphone market, Android will
find a way to overcome iOS to lead the way.
But
even with the onslaught of Android tablets coming out next year, Apple's iPad
will overcome the fresh competition and enjoy an even better 2011.
Here's
why:
1.
Verizon's help
There
is a very good chance that Apple will be offering both an AT&T 3G and WiFi
option, as well as a Verizon 3G and WiFi option to customers with the launch of
the iPad 2. That's a significant development. Although current Verizon
customers can use the MiFi 2200 hotspot to access the company's 3G network from
the iPad, it's a less desirable experience. It could be pushing some customers
away. With the next iPad, that will be worked out-and Apple will enjoy stronger
sales.
2.
Buyers are sold on iPad
When
the iPad first launched, the market wasn't sure what to make of it. Some
consumers believed that it was going to be the next big thing, while others
decided to take a wait-and-see approach. Still others determined that waiting a
year for Apple to work all the kinks out would be the best move. With those
factors in mind and
considering the update that the iPad
2 will be,
it's likely that all most of the hesitation will fade away in 2011.
3.
Enterprise help
The
corporate world has historically been the last to adopt a new technology.
Companies around the world are worried about productivity, security and other
aspects that aren't necessarily improved by jumping to a new technology so
quickly. But now that the enterprise has been able to examine the iPad
throughout the year, it's quite likely that it will jump on it in a big way
next year.
4.
Android isn't a guarantee
Android
is enjoying substantial attention in the mobile marketplace because of its
success in the smartphone space.
But that doesn't mean that it will be a
success in the tablet market.
Android 2.2 running on the Samsung Galaxy Tab leaves much to be desired. It's
hard to see how it can match the iPad's iOS platform. Simply put, Android might
make gains in 2011, but it won't do enough to stop the iPad.
Email
Print
