Tablet business booming, profits not

Notebook sales are down but tablet sales are up, more than enough to replace them. That all sounds like good news, unless you are an ODM in which case you may be worried since the profits to be made from tablets compared to notebooks is less.

Digitimes reports: "Since tablets have a simpler design than notebooks, the ODMs are only able to earn about US$9-10 for each tablet made, lower than US$13-20 for notebooks. 

 In addition, fewer components needed means that ODMs will have difficulties using their purchasing advantages to earn profits, and tablet brand vendors' demand for specific components will also impact the makers' profits, the sources noted."

Suppliers of chips for tablets, like VIA and VIA's WonderMedia, are also affected by this trend since they and their competitors will have to get very aggressive in pricing in order to get sales.

Google ARM cooperative platforms to assist WonderMedia

Google and ARM are looking into standardizing features so that tablets and other devices running Android can be updated. At the moment, a lot of smaller players, including VIA's WonderMedia which uses an ARM processor, are part of tablets that run Android but can't have the version updated. Digitimes is reporting that Google and ARM are now working together towards Android 3.0 having known platform features. This would make it easier for smaller players to offer a more robust solution.

VIA's own tablet design?

The coverage that I read from last week's Computex trade show seemed to have VIA carrying on about the tablet PC designs that their VP had taken around to US media the week before (see my earlier posts). Expert Reviews, however, have images and information about a VIA "tablet design".

VIA is no stranger to putting out prototypes of new device segments. They were the first out with a netbook platform, although it was called something else ... the OpenBook I think? Anyway, I just thought it was interesting that a VIA prototype ARM based 7" tablet is out there. Sadly, the one that Expert Reviews got to see didn't even power up.

"To make things more interesting, Via is also aiming for a bargain $199 price point too, but this is more than the $100-$150 that was hinted at just a few weeks ago.

Via also had some words on Intel's attempt at low power with its Moorestown hardware. It said that x86 won't cut it against ARM in the ultra mobile space."

Two mystery Android tablets

For the last couple of days I have shown you some of the cheap tablets that VIA has been busy promoting leading up to Computex - Android devices with WonderMedia chips inside. But there are two models on the list for which not much is known.

The G-Link A8 looks like it has a considerably small screen than the iPad - unless they are very large hands.

The FirstView PC707 (second picture) has that Appley look although the screen seems to be a bit more widescreen-ish.

But that's about all I can tell you. I'll keep my eye out on the Computex coverage.

Eken's 8" Android tablet

Pictured above is the Eken M003 tablet. It would be pretty hard not to concede that it's been inspired by the iPad ... but it's a different beast ... er, kitten ... large cat maybe.

The Eken M008 has an 8 inch screen which is slightly larger than the 7 inch norm for most tablets, but smaller than Apple's 10 inches. It's an LCD full color screen. It supports 32GB of storage via an SD card slot. Inside you'll find a WonderMedia chip. It run Android (of course!). It's said that it will cost about USD 230 and apparently you can get it in pink, black or white.


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