iPad Claims Another Casualty – LG Drops Tablets Plans
LG Electronics Inc. has already decided to bow out of the tablet race before they really even started. The company announced today that they will completely shift their focus away from tablet computer development and focus on phones instead of trying to compete head-on with Apple’s iPad (which LG has been unsuccessful in doing to date with their most recent Optimus Pad LTE device).
This is likely good news for LG, who can focus their research and development efforts toward their core-competencies –particularly in a market where tech giants are falling after being spread too thin. This is likely even better news for the other tablet manufacturers (other than Apple) as it will prevent further market fragmentation and make way for their products to compete more effectively.
Ken Hong, a spokesman for Seoul-based LG commented on the company’s decision to shy away from tablet development by saying that they have, “decided to put all new tablet development on the back burner for the time being in order to focus on smartphones.”
Interesting enough, while LG mentioned the iPad as their specific and targeted rival, Hong was quick to dismiss the new Microsoft Surface tablet as anything that they were concerned about. An easy comment to make before the tablet hits retail shelves I suppose as we are all still wondering just how effective and persuasive the new product will be.
LG does make Windows-based mobile phones, but the company appears to be placing a primary focus on their Optimus line of Android-powered smartphones (products designed to compete most directly with Samsung’s successful Galaxy line of smartphones).
It shouldn’t be forgotten that LG has a lot of other irons in the fire aside from mobile devices, with an announcement coming just recently that the manufacturer is getting involved in the thin-film solar market (to create an environmentally ‘greener’ way to generate electricity together with Samsung and Foxxcon).
