Weekly Review: Gearing Up for iPad Mini, Windows 8

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, the iPad’s domination of the tablet market is shaky as Android tablets begin catching up; Apple’s tablet only took about half of the U.S. market. Furthermore, the report did not include sales of some popular devices like the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Apple is not going to give up its crown so easily though, and is preparing to fight back with a 7.85-inch iPad mini to bring its market share back up.

The latest Apple rumors suggest an October 17 unveiling, with invitations expected to go out on October 10 and the new iPad ready to hit shelves in early November; supply chain players are already prepping shipments. But Apple is not the only industry giant gearing up to offer consumers something new. With the introduction of Windows 8, Microsoft aims to fully integrate the consumer experience across multiple platforms: PC, tablet, and smartphone. This may be Microsoft’s most ambitious strategy in recent years, but with the popularity of iOS and Android increasing daily, it comes as no surprise that the once dominant software giant is stepping up its game.

 With Apple and Microsoft news in the air, Samsung of course is not to be outdone. The Korean manufacturer is rumored to unveil a smaller Galaxy S phone, a relatively surprising move since the display size of Samsung’s devices has been continually expanding for some time now. As for Nokia, they are expected to introduce an entry-level Windows Phone priced at US$150 (TW$4,500), but whether this will help boost the struggling maker’s market share remains to be seen.

Finally, Apple and Samsung’s bitter feud continues as the latest iteration of court action surfaces; the Korean maker has filed yet another patent infringement lawsuit against the Cupertino company. Interestingly enough, it would appear that Samsung has benefitted from all the media attention; the latest figures indicate that even with the arrival of the iPhone 5, Galaxy SIII sales are up.