More competition makes for better tablets

Competition in the burgeoning tablet market is heating up. Already, winners seem to be emerging, while others are trying to stay afloat. But, according to a New York Times report, as the market continues to grow, the competition will only become fiercer.

Writing for the newspaper's Gadgetwise blog, Sam Grobart notes that competition in any market is good for the consumer. As demonstrated by the car industry, the more players involved, the more options the consumer has. Rather than everyone driving around in the same vehicle, the roads are populated by a variety of models that cater to different customers' specific wants or budgets.

Tablets are no different, Grobart asserts. Apple® has proven to be a dominant force in the market, but devices based on Android™, Windows® and other operating systems are quickly picking up steam as well.

As this trend continues, users will have a wide variety of tablets from which to choose. Additionally, manufacturers are more likely to keep pushing the limits of their devices in an effort to trump the competition. As a result, a better tablet is likely to emerge.

 "[T]hat's because competition breeds excellence," Grobart writes.

Google™ and Apple are expected to account for 90 percent of the tablet OS market through 2017, according to research firm In-Stat. However, other players may eventually emerge to shake up the competition.