Sony looking at developing iPad competitor

Electronics giant thinking long term for its tablet assault

14 May 2010 11:01 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

Sony is considering launching a tablet to rival Apple's iPad, a senior vp confirmed to Bloomberg, although it wants to asses how the market adapts to this new product line first.

Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony’s Information Technology Products unit, was speaking in San Francisco when he revealed the plans. “We have been taking a deep look at developing a tablet for a number of years, not just because of Apple but because it creates some interesting opportunities," he said.

Abary was keen to stress, however, that Sony wanted to see how consumers react to the latest tablet offerings before it fully commits to its own device. “The iPad has created a new opportunity,” he said. “Now we can get a good judgement as to whether the market is truly accepting of it.”

Apple have definitely cast the first stone in the battle for tablet supremacy. Sure, its not the first tablet, but it has raised the bar in terms of both excitement and expectation. But with Google reported to be in talks with Verizon regarding a tablet of its own, the German made WeTab soon to launch, a BlackBerry tablet supposedly on its way and also Archos, Dell and Samsung also said to be throwing their hats into the tablet ring, it's going to be an interesting few months in the world of tablets.