After the April release of Apple’s iPad, and the following release of Samsung’s Galaxy, Consumer Electronics Show attendees are anticipating a huge showing of tablets at this year’s event. Some are even speculating over 100 new tablets will be debuted, including one from Blackberry manufacturer RIM and a highly anticipated tablet from Motorola.
However, most won’t survive the year, and some won’t even make it past the end of the four day event. This is largely because it’s still a fairly new market. Consumers have yet to demonstrate consistently how they will use tablets, so industry leaders are kind of taking a shot in the dark when it comes to the technology. It remains to be seen whether the tablets will be used primarily as e-readers, video viewers, hand held gaming devices, or more like laptops. Once consumer demand is clearer, manufacturers will be better equipped to cater their devices to meet that demand. In the mean time, the CES is being flooded with potential must-have devices.
Some of the factors that will play a role in tablet survival in 2011? Functionality and price. Currently, most people use their tablets for the internet and email, then watching videos and reading books. However, those trends could change as new applications and functions are released.
Pricing is another element that can spell success or death for new tablets being debuted at the CES. Most analysts agree the average tablet user wants to pay less than $400 for a tablet. That’s far below the bottom of the barrel iPad, but right in line with the Galaxy S.
iPad 2 Case Spotted
In other CES tablet news, a day before the show officially starts an iPad 2 case has been spotted. The case is made by a little known Chinese manufacturer, Dexium. Although the company wasn’t overtly advertising the case, they weren’t denying it’s for the iPad 2 either. Especially when people started realizing the case doesn’t fit their current iPads. It features a hole for the anticipated extra camera, more room for larger speakers, and a slimmer design.
Of course, Apple doesn’t have anything to say about the product. Rumors have been running wild about what Apple will say or do at this year’s CES. But, based on previous movements by the company, it seems unlikely that they will announce an iPad 2 at the CES. The product was released in April of 2010, and its follower will most likely be announced in the same month of this year. But, stranger things have happened than Steve Jobs giving the public what they want, when they want it.
Keep Your Tablets Running
One new device being debuted at this year’s CES is the nPower PEG. It uses your kinetic energy to harness power and provide juice to your dead device. That provides you with power no matter where you are, or how close you are to an outlet.
The stick is a bit large, something you would have to carry in a backpack, and it’s not clear how much it weighs. But it’s a step forward in becoming less reliant on traditional power sources, which may someday free people from power outlets altogether.
These types of possibilities are what the CES is all about! And the show hasn’t even officially started yet!
One Comment
This is very interesting since AT&T and Verizon are both really large companies. I think the iphone will be great no matter what company it is with, but its not like AT&T will stop the I phone. With this battle between them now, i think Apple will make a newer I phone like always and not know which company to use…