Google Slated to Challenge Kindle Fire with New Tablet
It wasn’t too long ago when Google was creating its own Android-powered smartphones under its own brand name. That’s why it comes as little surprise that they are supposedly planning to jump into the tablet computer market in 2012.
However, the latest buzz implies that Google may be releasing their device as a competitor to the low-priced Kindle Fire rather than the more sophisticated, higher-priced iPad.
This is contrary to earlier comments by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt regarding plans to market a tablet this year. He had previously hinted at a top-of-the-line unit, which many had interpreted as a potential rival to Apple’s iPad series.
Based on recent updates from DigiTimes, the rumored Google tablet would be a seven-inch device with Android 4.0 and a possible price below $200. This puts it in the same price range as the Amazon’s Kindle Fire.
Given this current development, it appears as if Google is realistically placing its goals by competing against the Kindle Fire, rather than going up against the upcoming iPad 3. Despite its much higher price tag, the iPad has long held a lot of clout in the tablet market, unlike the Kindle, which isn’t too far- removed from its humble beginnings as a mere e-book reader.
Experts believe Google’s new tablet may be out as early as spring 2012, but DT added in its report that Google Taiwan did not confirm any plans of releasing a tablet under the Google brand name. So it appears as if consumers will have to stay tuned to the latest developments, especially since Apple is also rumored to be planning its own entry in the budget tablet race.
Related posts: