Tablet computer “pads,” that is. Yes, other tech giants, along with some start-ups, are once again following Apple in an attempt to gain a portion of the market that Apple created. The WeePad, JooJoo Tablet, and HP Slate are among the competitors that announced or released tablet computers within the past month.
Clearly, there is a pretty good market for tablet computers, as Apple announced Monday news that it has sold 1 million iPads in the first month! But will other companies be able to capture the same appeal that Apple has with the iPad?
Analysts think not. The International Data Corporation says that “Anybody can make a tablet. I could go to Taiwan, hire a contract manufacturer, and make ‘Bob’s tablet,’ but the hard part is doing the software and getting the applications.” If any company CAN do that though, it would be HP.
Though it is perhaps possible for HP to take some of the market away from Apple, in the long run I don’t think it will make much of a difference for Apple. All of these other companies are followers. But the leader remains the leader.