The TV industry is going through an interesting phase as the global TV sales are heading southward but the sale of 4K TVs is heading northwards," Satoru Arai, head of Sony Middle East and Africa, told Gulf News, after launching six new
Android models with prices ranging from Dh4,999 to Dh19,999on Tuesday.
The YOGA Tablet 2 10-in and 8-in
Android models start at $299.99 and $249.99, respectively.
He expects new versions of the iPad, Surface and several
Android models. Amazon is also reportedly working on new tablets.
Scott Bicheno, analyst at Strategy Analytics, said the latest trends showed 'the worldwide smartphone industry has effectively become a duopoly as consumer demand has polarized around mass-market
Android models and premium Apple designs,' the report added.
Institutional investors noted that the significant price gap between iPad Mini and
Android models will benefit Nexus 7 to grow in sales further.
Most premium smartphones (like an iPhone and many
Android models) are so-called worldphones that can work most anywhere in the world.
And none of the
Android models compares with the 9.7-inch Apple iPad at 2048 by 1536 pixels.
Palumbo says that schools are buying iPads over
Android models in part because there's "safety in numbers." Schools can build consortiums, share solutions and tap into what Apple claims are its 20,000plus education apps.
The firm's current smartphones and its BBM platform are hugely popular in the Middle East - but that's not replicated elsewhere on earth where Apple and
Android models have surged well ahead.
Works with: Laptop, PC, iPhone or iPad, selected
Android models and Xbox 360.
Currently only a handful of phones feature NFC including such popular
Android models as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus ($300 with a two-year Verizon Wireless contract) and Google Nexus S 4G ($100 with a two-year Sprint contract).
Cheaper
Android models, costing as little as $100 to make, have helped Android emerge as the dominant platform in smart phones, attracting dozens of manufacturers ranging from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to no-brand Asian vendors.