This year will host the arena for the battle between IPad VS Android tablets. We have felt the presence of Android tablets last year, and with the recent developments to Android and the upcoming release of Android 3.0 tablets it is certain that they will have a bigger presence this year. The obvious question that pops up is: Are Honeycomb devices capable to take on the IPad? Are android tablets really ready to kill the IPad?
Apple iPad is definitely the first of its kind, but competition makes either a product stronger or weaker. Today we will discuss some parameters that may affect the future of who will win the battle. It is only natural that you (the consumer) deserve to judge who will win, but for now let’s base our assumptions on 5 pillars.
Pillar 1: The Device
It’s basically iPad versus the various (prototype and already available) Android Tablets. The screen sizes don’t just limit on 10 inch screens but they can go as low as 5 inch nowadays. This might be a handicapped area for Apple. Android tablets provide versatility and a wide range of choices for consumers to pick a device that can satisfy their needs. Also android tablets are manufactured by several trusted companies, like Motorola, Asus, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer that have their own followers and loyal customers. These companies compete to produce the best android tablet and this competition leads to better and more innovative products. This may matter a lot, but still, Apple is still Apple.
Pillar 2: The Price
Some people, especially those who haven’t tried any tablet yet would really consider the price as a big deal. Android tablets have a clear advantage on this because you can get a tablet from as low as $200. Apple on the other hand has a more or less fix prices on their iPad, which is generally high. In an ideal economy most consumers would probably prefer Android tablets but price isn’t everything. People also look into the different product features, software and quality of the device and until now Apple has more to offer in these areas.
Pillar 3: The interface
Obviously one of the biggest differences between the two is their operating system; Apple with their strong and mature iOS and Google with their innovative Android OS. For the past year Android OS was very well behind the iOS since until version 2.3 was basically build for smartphones. This year and with the release of Android 3.0 is a different story. Android 3.0 is optimized for tablets and based from previews will present a new approach for tablet computing. Un-doubly this would be a threat for Apple if they don’t make some good improvements on their upcoming OS. Leaked information about iOS 4.3 promises that Apple will have something new to offer but nevertheless Android 3.0 is a major step forward for Google who had already won the smartphone market share with their existing Android OS.
Pillar 4: Features and Applications
Apple devices have their unique features and a hefty number of 300,000+ applications already in their app store. This number is quite hard to catch compared to android applications which counts low for now. The problem for Google is that the majority of the existing Android apps in the market is not optimized for tablets or for android 3.0 and it will take some time for developers to catch up. Apple with their solid number of apps can go nowhere but higher so we will have to wait and see which company can satisfy better the software needs of consumers.
Pillar 5: The customers
Apple managed over the years to build their own crowd and customer circle that really stays loyal to them and this result in millions of sales on release dates. Apple is quite blessed but keep in mind that in the market, anything could happen. Customers would soon create their own view for both products and in the end they will favor what they would love more.
In conclusion, today is still early to predict or to say who would win this battle. Though this would be coming really soon.
