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The tablet market is an interesting space. It gets all kinds of attention, but the vast majority of folks have yet to buy one of the devices. Over time, that’s expected to change as the Apple iPad and its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, start attracting more and more consumers. But for now, it’s a small, nascent market that has a long way to go before it has a major impact on the industry as a whole.
Because of that, the tablet market isn’t even close to being decided. There are still far too many companies that have yet to reveal their strategies for anyone to crown Apple or any other firm the winner in that space.
Here, eWEEK takes take a look at why the tablet market isn’t dominated by any company just yet.
1. Apple’s iPad isn’t dominant-yet
Apple’s iPad is performing extremely well in stores. In fact, Apple has sold more than 3 million iPads since the device launched earlier this year. But that doesn’t mean that the tablet is dominating the market. All that means is that the iPad is the first success in the tablet space. And going forward, another, more-capable device could supplant it.
2. The Android juggernaut
Android OS is slowly making its way to the tablet market. So far, it hasn’t done much to beat the iPad. In fact, the Dell Streak, which runs an outdated version of Android, is arguably the most significant release thus far. And so far, it has performed poorly compared with Apple’s device. But in the coming months, a slew of Android-based products are coming. When that happens, expect a major battle between the firms.
3. Samsung is a concern
Samsung announced recently that it plans to release a tablet to compete with Apple’s iPad. The Galaxy Tab will boast a 7-inch display, run Android 2.2 and take on Apple’s iPad directly. When the device launches at some point in the future, Apple will need to worry. Samsung is successful in the mobile market. And with a viable touch-screen tablet coming, it could give Apple a run for its money.
4. It’s still in its infancy
It might be easy to crown Apple’s iPad the winner of the tablet market now, but let’s not forget that the space is very much in its infancy. And in the coming months and years, things will change. As they do, expect companies to make drastic decisions. Meanwhile, the market as it’s known today will be jolted by new ideas and changing consumer desire.