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An Apple iSlate vs Google Tablet battle might be about to start – there are rumors (SmartHouse Australia) that HTC is working in collaboration with Google on a Tablet and will be doing private demos at CES 2010.

The Scoop on the HTC, Google Tablet

HTC are also the company behind Google’s Nexus One smartphone (said to be launching on January 5th).

Here is what we know about the Tablet (based on rumors so rather undependable) -

1. There are several models of the Tablet including one based on Chrome OS. 
2. An Android based tablet will be shown at CES 2010. 
3. The Android HTC/Google Tablet has a Qualcomm processor, touch technology and new Adobe software. 

Apple iSlate vs Google Tablet – Is Google trying to steal Apple’s thunder?

Apple has redefined the mobile landscape with the iPhone. This is a huge threat to Google because -

1. In 5-10 years mobile might be much bigger than the Internet.
2. If Apple owns mobile they can replace Google offerings (search, maps) on the iPhone with their own products and services.
3. Search Engine companies already pay Verizon etc. huge sums to be the default search option on their phones. The last thing Google wants to do is pay a potential competitor like Apple for keeping Google the default search option.

That’s why we have had so many Android based devices and an FTC investigation of the iPhone.

At some point Google realized that, to actually compete with Apple, it needs to create its own hardware and build out its own channels.

That means -

1. A Google Phone.
2. A Google Tablet.
3. Android in as many devices as possible.
4. Chrome OS in as many devices as possible.
5. Google hardware and products that take on Apple (and potentially Amazon).

What better time than a couple weeks before the big Apple iSlate announcement to debut both the Google Phone and the Google Tablet.

Apple iSlate vs Google Tablet - It’s about Apple Vs Google?

Apple and Google are two of the most profitable companies in the world and they are increasingly beginning to see that there are very few highly profitable markets left.

1. They can’t go after Amazon as its margins are low and there’s too much domain expertise needed. 
2. Microsoft is too well entrenched to beat (at least not in the next decade or two).
3. There just aren’t that many very profitable companies.
4. On the other hand, Google’s 30%+ margins and Apple’s 21% margins are very appealing.  

Apple’s biggest opportunity might lie in taking over a lot of what Google does and Google’s biggest opportunity might be hardware similar to the iPhone and iPod.

Apple is one of a small handful of companies that are actual threats to Google.

The battle of Google/HTC Tablet and Apple iSlate is the beginning of a colossal war between Apple and Google.

Which Tablet is likely to win?

It’s not even close. If there is an iTablet it’ll handily beat a Google/HTC hybrid.

Apple have proven their hardware expertise. Google, on the other hand, are new to hardware and will probably miss with the first few versions of Google Tablets and Google Phones.

1. Additionally, the presence of innumerable Android based, Google branded phones is confusing and leads to splintering.
2. Google will have the exact same problem with its Tablet – there’ll just be too many companies trying to get Android or Chrome on their Tablets and it causes confusion and splintering.

Google will almost certainly lose the first round – However, it’s strengthening its strategy/initiative of pushing Android as the OS of choice for mobile devices and that might set it up very well for the second and third rounds of Apple iSlate vs Google Tablet.

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