After iPad, Rivals Offer Variations on a Theme

As soon as iPad, Apple's new tablet, appeared in sales, other companies started thinking about their own devices. These tablets, generally called slates, are characterized by low-cost, capability, low weight and thickness and the lack of physical keyboard.
Google and H.P. are preparing their versions of slate in response to iPad. H.P.'s slate is said to have camera and ports for other devices like mouse. Google plans to release Android based tablet that would a rival to iPad. There are couple reasons why Google has chosen Android instead of its other computer operating system, Chrome OS. Chrome is made only for browsing web and Android is already fully developed platform having features very similar to iPad.
What makes Google tablet attractive are company's popular services like Google Books, Google Reader and Google Voice., and the fact that it is going to be more like computer, which means much more functional.
There are also rumors that Nokia, world's largest cellphone producer, plans on making its own slate. 

Google probably won't be as successful as Apple, but it will bring competition and rivalry to tablets and e-readers market. Apple will keep lead, but with an opponent behind Apple will have to improve and develop its product. Free market with competition is always beneficial for everybody, and especially customer.

Source: New York Times