Google is shortly planning to sell through their online store, their own co-branded version of the Tablet PC. This in the hopes of taking away market share from one of their chief arch rivals and direct competitor, Apple Corp, and their dominant industry standard iPad Tablet.
Some may recall that Google attempted to get into the hardware device market with, to some observers, less than favorable results. To remind those who don’t remember, a few years ago, Google offered the consumer mobile crowd their own version of the smartphone which was marketed under their own brand, named the Nexus One. The Nexus One unfortunately ceased production a short time later after showing poor results.
This didn’t deter their latest attempt and effort however to get back into the mobile device market with lessons learned about better marketing hardware devices along with improved mobile technology.
Google is also hoping to further boost their share with the Android Operating System in the growing tablet device market. Google’s plan to manufacture their own tablet will begin once they fully acquire Motorola Mobility, which is expected shortly.
Can Google Compete In The Tablet PC Market
So the biggest question is, can Google compete with the already established likes of Apple as well as Amazon, who are years and versions ahead in hardware technology. Some experts are suggesting that Google may initially have a difficult time to gain any traction.
Since the consumer tablet market is now bombarded with new tablet models entering the market on a regular basis, and because of this, there are those suggesting a new tablet product, even if it’s offered by Google, may be a bit of a tough sell.
The biggest factor for potential success would be the price point, along with the features which are offered by Google. Clearly, Apple with their iPad dictates the market, while setting the standard, with the debut of their latest version 3. They’ve also set the price command at $499 for the basic Wi-Fi model, and increases upwards from there.
Amazon, the other major tablet player has also firmly carved out their own niche with the Kindle Fire, mainly because of the devices lower price, features, and its compact size.
Amazon also has a large established buyer audience of millions with their successful Kindle ebook reader, the majority who have adopted the Kindle Fire tablet. It’s predicted that they’ve already sold close to 10 million units of the Kindle Fire tablet in just a few months.
The Outstanding Google Brand
Google, other than the tablet market which they’re attempting to conquer, undoubtedly carries the strongest brand name. The apparent lack of success of the Nexus One smartphone project however revealed that they can’t depend on their name alone.
They need to stand out and establish themselves separately with this product, offering an acceptable price point, which should most likely be less than the iPad, a cost that the tablet buying market is willing to bear.
Apple is both developmentally as well as technologically years ahead of everyone else, as they’ve sold millions upon millions of the iPad and they’re showing no cracks in their dominance.
Consumers who are expected to be in the market for tablets are on the rise, as the majority are now trading in their old expiring tired laptops for a new slick shiny user friendly tablet PC. There are predictions that there will be 60 million tablets sold annually in just a few years.
Tablet Competition Becoming Fierce
There are a variety of tablets of all prices, sizes and shapes which are currently offered on the market. But it’s Apple and Amazon who has the stranglehold, where the majority of the other hardware manufacturers products are too costly or faulty.
Another reason for Apple and Amazon’s dominance is because they’ve managed to create their own digital ecosystem which surrounds and is dependent on their tablet hardware.
The iPad after all is just a piece of hi-tech hardware which allows entrance to the various services which Apple offers, such as: iTunes, the App Store, iBookstore, iCloud, and a variety of other digital content and services.
Amazon has also taken the same path. Once you purchase the Kindle Fire and take it out of the box, it becomes an instant electronic gateway which connects the user to a smorgasbord of Amazon’s various marketplace of goods and services that they offer. This includes: music, ebooks, movies, apps and a lot, lot more.
So in essence, in order for the consumers to be able to gain entry into the services of what these digital giants have to offer, they are required to purchase the tablets for access. The tablets just act as a looking glass into their mobile worlds.
Google Needs Their Own Digital Ecosystem
This is what Google needs to do for their Google tablet to succeed. Google needs to go beyond just offering a chunk of hardware for the consumers to purchase.
The tablet should be considered a secondary yet necessity device which their customers needs to purchase, so they can gain access to Google’s own virtual world which they’ve created for them.
Google, showing signs that they realize this, has recently consolidated most of their digital services including: their ebooks, music, movies, and apps into a centralized location which is now known as Google Play.
This in obvious attempts to position their digital wares to compete against what Apple and Amazon has to offer. This is the first and foremost signal that Google does indeed see the “vision” of what the others are doing when they eventually introduce their tablet. They are giving the consumer a reason to buy their tablet.
Is The Google Tablet In Sink Or Swim Mode
Yet, the biggest deciding factor for Google will still be the price. This was exactly how Amazon was able to take market share away from Apple with their Kindle Fire. They offered their Android powered tablet for $200 or less.
The iPad however is in a completely different class of tablet altogether as it now comes with a much higher definition screen. A feature which also happens to be the key buying point for the majority of consumers who are looking to buy a tablet. Other wanted features in a tablet include: fast processing power, speed, quick response and reliability.
So it’s up in the air what Google has in store. Will they substitute features for a lower price point or will it be slick, shiny and fast much like the iPad.
Will Google also be able to compete with Apple and Amazon when it comes to providing digital content, which is the primary reason why consumers will buy a certain tablet. But we all know that Google will forever be Google.
The consumers has made the biggest statement by lining up overnight, whipping out their wallets and buying the Apple iPad. This is and will remain the tablet of choice. So what Google’s most likely doing is attempting to establish who’s going to be second, them or Amazon.