There’s no doubt that Apple has, with their iPad, single-handedly introduced to the masses to tablet computing – in much the same way that the company used the iPhone increased awareness for smartphones. With millions and millions of the iOS-powered Apple iPad already shipped around the globe, it’s clear that the Cupertino, CA.-based company has locked up the tablet market for 2010. There are whispers of Android tablets coming to market later this year, but Apple probably isn’t losing any sleep over concerns that the iPad will be overshadowed by a newcomer. In fact, we probably won’t see any other tablet “killing” the iPad in 2010.
The folks over at Shanzai posted an interesting analysis of the burgeoning tablet market today. The story leads with the assertion that there will be no iPad killers in 2010. That’s a fairly bold claim to make, given the amazing tablet tech we’ve seen from the likes of Samsung of Notion Ink, but we’re inclined to agree – to an extent. While Apple can rest assured that the iPad will continue to dominate the tablet space throughout 2010, we’ll most definitely see at least a couple tablets birthed this year that will eventually gain enough traction to give Apple reason to worry.
The meat of the argument against an iPad killer in 2010 is that there simply isn’t enough time for any Android tablet to ramp up production, sales, and marketing in time to dethrone the iPad as the reigning king. Sure, there are tablets like the Samsung Tab that will offer a smaller (arguably more usable) high-resolution 7-inch screen size and two cameras; the Notion Ink Adam that will offer an LCD display that can be used in a passive black-and-white mode to save power and make reading text easier on the eyes; and the PalmPad that will bring the heralded webOS operating system to the tablet space; but none of them will be able to overtake the iPad this year. It’s just not possible.
Other tablets likely won’t even be available for purchase in 2010, taking them out of contention for tablet supremacy in 2010. And, the tablets that do make it to market this year may not have enough time to beat out iPad sales numbers. It’ll also be hard for Android tablets to make a name for themselves amidst a flood of other tablets that will prove to have similar features and will run the same operating system.
We’ve been bullish on the iPad for a while, but we have high hopes for competing tablets. If anything, it really doesn’t matter that the iPad will sit comfortably at the top of its hill for the rest of 2010. What’s important is that the iPad will force other manufacturers to step up their game and offer some competition. Because, when manufacturers compete to innovate, it’s the consumer that wins.
So, what tablet are you looking forward to seeing? Check out our Most Anticipated Tablets of 2010 and then sound off in the comments below!
[Via: Shanzai]
