News Analysis: Although several Android tablets are coming to store shelves over the next few months, they won't be able to take on Apple's iPad.
Apple's iPad is selling extremely well across the world. It is
quickly becoming one of the most coveted technology products, and will likely
be a top gift choice during the holiday season. But in the coming weeks and
months, the iPad will be faced with stiff competition from several
Android-based devices. In fact, the Samsung's Galaxy Tab is scheduled to hit
store shelves next month. And when that happens, the real tablet war will start.
Luckily for Apple,
it
won't have much to worry about in the short term. The slate of
Android-based devices coming to store shelves in the next few months won't
create the kind of excitement that the iPad has among consumers. They won't
even appeal to enterprise customers who are looking to bring tablets to their
operations. Simply put, the upcoming range of Android-based tablets won't be
able to match the iPad on any level.
Read on to find out why:
1. Android 2.2 won't work
Google has made it clear that Android 2.2 is designed with
smartphones in mind. And it won't have a suitable Android OS version available
to tablet customers until later this year at the earliest. So far, some vendors
have listened to Google's warnings and decided to delay their products. But
others have not. It's a bold, yet potentially poor move. Android 2.2 isn't
ready for tablets. Once customers find that out, the iPad will be even more
viable.
2. Google isn't fully invested
Google
is most worried about its smartphone operation. It makes sense. That's the
place where the company can generate the biggest profit. It's also the space
where most of its partners' devices are competing. Realizing that, Apple has an
opportunity. With Google's attention elsewhere, the iPad maker can continue to
improve its tablet and attract customers. The longer it can do that, the harder
it will be for Android tablets to catch up.
3. It's a numbers game for Android OS
Google's Android platform requires the help of a slew of
devices in order to be successful. As the smartphone space has shown, a single
product cannot beat Apple's iPhone. But several products can. The same can be
said for the tablet space. Because of that, Google needs to get many more
tablets on store shelves before it can even come close to matching Apple. And
both the search giant and Apple know that.
4. Consumers don't want it yet
There is no indication that consumers really want an Android
tablet just yet. The reason why is simple: Hardly anyone in the mainstream
knows about those products. That is partly a failure of the vendors to get
their products in front of people. But it's also due to the shadow the iPad
casts over the market. And until consumers realize that they want Android
tablets, they will continue to opt for Apple's alternative.
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