With 2011 touted as the year of the tablet, the tablet war begins this week with Apple unveiling its new iPad Wednesday and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) following soon with its PlayBook.Extending its tradition of updating its products every year, Apple is all set to unveil the iPad2 at an event in San Francisco.
In fact, the new tablet comes less than a year after its money-spinning iPad which has sold more than 15 mn units so far and accounts for 15 percent of the revenue of the world's most valuable technology company.
Though Apple's stock was slightly down Tuesday in line with the day's bearish trend on Wall Street, the fortunes of the cash-rich giant may see a big jump after the unveiling of the new iPad.
When Apple took wraps off the iPad last April, its stock zoomed more than 10 percent.
Analysts say Apple has smartly pre-empted the BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) by launching the new iPad, ahead of the rival's PlayBook. RIM had unveiled the PlayBook in September to announce its entry into the new arena.
But by hitting the market with its new iPad ahead of its competitors, Apple has made its intentions clear to stay as the dominant player in the tablet market that is estimated to grow up to 70 mn this year and 100 mn in 2012, say analysts.
