Fear Not—The Android Tablet is More than Myth

The competition for mobile Web dominance is undeniably fierce as titans Apple and Google vie for consumers’ attention and loyalty, but this competition seems to be totally nonexistent when it comes to tablet computing devices—the iPad is still the only gadget of its type and, at this point in time, Apple appears to have the tablet market totally cornered.  But given the popularity of the iPad—Apple is selling approximately 1 million units every month—it’s clear that there is a market for tablet devices and consumer interest is not lacking.  So where are all the tablet competitors and iPad ‘killers?’ That’s exactly the question many tech writers and analysts are asking, and Google seems to be at the heart of most inquiries.  So, really, what’s the hold up?

If the rumors the tech community is spreading are true, many device manufacturers have plans to release tablet computers later this year, or early next year, but their releases are on hold because of the Android OS.  Operating systems designed to power Smartphones cannot simply be installed on larger-screened tablet devices, but must be refined to function optimally on the distinct hardware, which seems to be problematic for Google. According to a report published by CNet, the Android OS is not yet “tablet-ready” because some critical adjustments still need to be made to the software, although most expect that Android 3.0, aka “Gingerbread,” will be up to the task (its release is expected this fall).

In the meantime, there is no shortage of Android tablets in the works: among others HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Viewsonic, Texas Instruments, Sony, Toshiba, Lenovo, Acer and Dell are all rumored (or confirmed) to be developing the hardware for such a device.  And that list doesn’t even account for BlackBerry’s Black Pad, and the Windows-based HP tablet, both of which seem to be struggling from their respective OS issues.

If it’s true that this slough of tablet computing devices will hit vendors over the next year, and assuming that the tablet device reaches the level of market adoption that tech analysts predict, how will it affect the ways that consumers connect to content channels and, more broadly, the Internet?  As mobile marketing begins to take off with major brands as well as smaller businesses getting on board, will advertising find its own niche on tablet devices? Many of the first adopters of the new media format have been successful in repackaging content and graphics to engage users and faciitate interactivity—for example the publishing industry, which seems to be have found an audience through their content rich iPad apps, like Wired’s and Popular Mechanic’s, which are both subscription-based.

But as the new platform really starts to emerge, as it is expected to next year, how will brands take advantage of the new opportunities to engage consumers with rich, interactive media? Though at this point we can only really speculate about how tablet devices might influence the market, we anticipate that some restrategizing lies in the future when it comes to content management and presentation.  What do you think? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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