The iPad flat out dominates the tablet market as we speak, with something around 80%+ market
share.
But just as Android phones pulled up neck and neck with the iPhone, Android tablets can
do the same.
I�m B.C.
with Top 5 ways that could happen according to developers who write
tablet apps.
#5: New places to buy apps.
iPad is tied to the iTunes store and while it is the biggest, not
everyone thinks it�s the best.
Developers like freedom as much as they like beer, so Stevo�s parental ways in the iTunes store
have them always seeking looser ground.
Developers also want to get to you via multiple app stores, like Amazon.
#4: Honeycomb OS.
This is a big one, the new version of Android specifically developed for
tablets.
It debuts first on the Motorola Xoom, CNET�s BOCA winner at CES 2011, and for the first
time gives us an Android flavor that stretches out an rocks a larger screen, support multi-core
processors and has built in management tools for business customers � that�s something that
can fuel a LOT of sales.
#3: Better bells & whistles.
Let�s face it, Apple has the knack of giving you less and convincing
you its more.
But things like cameras, expansion ports, different screen sizes, 4G, or and Flash
support so you can really use the web, that might print with consumers.
#2: Control fragmentation.
This is a little under the hood, but its key.
There are many flavors of
Android at any one time: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and soon 3.0 Honeycomb are all in the wild.
Then add the
various skins that hardware makers put over Android to make it look like their own deal and,
well, you have a serious threat of confusing people to death and getting them to flock back to
Simple Land.
Before we get to #1�here are 5 of the most anticipated Android tablets here or on the way in
2011 as we speak:
Kind of a formidable onslaught.
#1: Be cheaper.
Yep, Apple�s Achille�s Heel: They�re stuff is expensive, and a lot of folks like
cheaper.
Imagine that.
iPad�s start at $500 and go to over $800.
That�s a month�s net pay for a
lot of folks.
Think they�re gonna� be running around with an iPad?
Android tablets will be in
heavy price competition between the makers of some 90 models expected on the market, and
between retailes who have the flexibility to really discount them, unlike Apple.
Now stay on top of all the new Android tablets that are coming out, we cover them obsessively on cnet.com.
And for more Top 5�s like this one head on over to top5.cnet.com.
I am Brian Cooley, thanks for watching.
