Apple Inc. debuts its most significant overhaul of the iPad today in San Francisco. Bloomberg reports that for competitors trying to get a foothold in the tablet market, the most important announcement may be what CEO Tim Cook does with the older models already on the shelves.
As it introduces a new iPad decked out with faster processing speeds and a sharper screen, Apple may also slash the price of the existing model from $499, said Chris Jones, an analyst at Canalys, a technology research firm. That would squeeze rivals such as Amazon.com Inc., whose $199 Kindle Fire is targeted at budget-conscious customers, he said.
Apple has cut the price of older models to attract bargain- hunting shoppers when unveiling a new product aimed at the high end, a pincer movement used with success on the most recent iPhone. While today’s focus will be on the new version, which will have access to speedier wireless networks, the iPad 2 price cut may have more significance to makers of cheaper tablets that haven’t been able to match Apple’s success.
“It will put pressure on those who are trying to undercut the iPad on price,” said Jones, who said Apple may lower the price of the cheapest iPad 2 by $100 to $399. “The market has changed in the past few months with the arrival of Amazon.”
Read all about it at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-06/apple-pinches-tablet-rivals-on-both-ends-in-unveiling-newest-ipad-tech.html
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