Security

Although some consumers rebuff claims that Android security is an issue, for enterprise users, especially, its a major problem. So, as the iPad and Windows 8 tablets enter the enterprise, Android will be left out in the cold. And over time, that could have a profoundly negative impact on the operating systems adoption.

Apples iPad is the king of the tablet market. Some researchers say that eventually, the device will buckle under the pressure. But theyre wrong. The iPad is what people want and will continue to want in the coming years. Android-based tablets wont significantly challenge iPads leadership.

Android is a fine operating system, but its not iOS. Consumers are making that abundantly clear with each new iPad they buy. Apples iOS is simple to use, it doesnt suffer from security issues, and its feature set is top-notch. Androids Honeycomb platform falls short in many of those areas. And until it turns things around, itll be on the outside looking in.

While the talk surrounding the tablet space is largely focused on Apple and Google, its important to point out that Windows 8 is coming. And when it launches, it could very well derail Android. Like Google, Microsoft is offering its operating system to any and all vendors, effectively pitting the two companies against each other. Given Windows success in the past, it should be quite interesting to see if Android can hold up against the Microsoft licensing juggernaut.

Speaking of Microsofts mobile strategy, its also worth noting that several vendors are already warming to the idea of bringing Windows 8-based tablets to the market. In fact, HP, Dell and Asus have all made their intentions known. In the coming months, even more companies will likely follow suit. When that happens, Google will have to wonder if vendors will offer both Windows 8 and Android tablets. Theres a good chance they wont, especially if Windows 8 tablets outsell Android models.

This year, tens of millions of slates have been shipped worldwide, and the vendors are starting to assume their places behind Apple. However, Android sales are tiny, compared with Apples. And when Microsoft enters the market next year, things could get even worse. Despite what Google says, slower-than-expected tablet sales are making Android vendors nervous.

Just because Android is successful in the smartphone space, it doesnt mean that it will have a strong showing in the tablet market. Smartphone customers and tablet customers are looking for very different things. So far, it appears theyre not as willing to adopt an Android device over the iPad. That could change, of course, but to simply assume that Android will be successful in tablets because its a winner with smartphones is ridiculous.

Google has made the poor decision to offer several different versions of its Android operating system. Furthermore, its desire to let vendors modify the operating system however they see fit is becoming a liability in the tablet space. The iPad is successful in large part because people know what to expect from iOS. But an Android smartphone owner running Gingerbread will be lost on Honeycomb. Thats a major flaw in Googles strategy. Its hurting the company in a big way.

When will Android vendors finally start innovating? Looking around the market, its filled with a host of devices that, in one way or another, fall short. Dell has arguably been the worst culprit, first unveiling the 5-inch Streak tablet, and then following that up with a similarly disappointing Streak 7. And although Samsung is commonly cited as a top iPad competitor, the Galaxy Tabs design is derivative. Until Android vendors start taking chances, the operating system will continue to be an after-thought for consumers.

Finally, we need to look at Google. Theres no debating Google wants to be successful in the tablet space, but for some reason, it hasnt been so willing to help vendors out. Honeycomb was a mess at launch. It has yet to use its brand to help sell a single tablet the way it does with its Nexus line in the smartphone space, and it consistently focuses its mobile discussions on handsets. The time has come for Google to show it truly cares about tablets or watch Android become further marginalized.