New York
– Heating up the market further after the release of Apple’s (NASD: AAPL) iPad, Google (NASD: GOOG) is
"soon expected" to begin selling a tablet PC of its own, The New York
Times reported.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly divulged some details about
the device to friends at a recent party in Los Angeles, while people with knowledge of
the project told The Times that "the company has been experimenting in
‘stealth mode’ with a few publishers to explore delivery of books, magazines
and other content on a tablet."
The company is also reportedly considering
an apps marketplace for tablet PCs.
The Times report notes that Nokia (NYSE: NOK) also plans
to release a multifunctional e-book reader device, while Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) "is
flirting with the idea" of releasing a slate. HP is expected to release
its tablet PC by midyear.
Related Links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/technology/12slate.html
I’m really hoping the competitors can put together a device to rival the iPad. If Apple locks down this market, I don’t think we’ll be seeing much innovation any longer. But with some competition, I think we’ll see the technology grow in leaps and bounds, much like the smart phone market has been one-upping each other.