The HP TouchPad tablet isn’t doing well on the market at all. I hardly think most of us are surprised by that. Android and the iPad own the market and many of the Android tablets are not selling well either. That fact didn’t stop HP from tossing the WebOS tablets onto the market at a premium price and so far, people have stayed away.
The sales of the HP TouchPad are so poor that sources are telling AllThingsD that BestBuy is trying to get HP to take some of the tablets back. Best Buy apparently purchased 270,000 TouchPads and according to reports it may have only sold 25,000 of the number it purchased.
Market Competition and Challenges
A person familiar with the TouchPad sales claims that 25,000 sold may be a charitable estimate. HP wants Best Buy to wait and see how things do. I just don’t see the tablet ever selling well, it’s a third tier OS on a third tier tablet right now in my mind. It’s going to take a price cut much greater than the $399 price to lure customers in.
The tablet market is fiercely competitive, dominated by giants like Apple’s iPad and a plethora of Android tablets from various manufacturers. The iPad, with its sleek design, robust ecosystem, and strong brand loyalty, has set a high bar for competitors. Android tablets, while varied in quality and price, benefit from the widespread adoption of the Android OS and the extensive Google Play Store. In contrast, the HP TouchPad, running on WebOS, lacks the extensive app ecosystem and brand recognition that its competitors enjoy.
WebOS: A Missed Opportunity?
WebOS, originally developed by Palm, was praised for its innovative features and user-friendly interface. However, it struggled to gain traction in a market already saturated with iOS and Android devices. HP’s acquisition of Palm and its WebOS was seen as a bold move to enter the mobile market, but the execution fell short. The lack of developer support and limited app availability were significant drawbacks that hindered the TouchPad’s appeal.
Moreover, the timing of the TouchPad’s release was less than ideal. By the time it hit the market, consumers were already heavily invested in the iOS and Android ecosystems. Switching to a new platform with fewer apps and less support was a hard sell, even for tech enthusiasts.
Price and Consumer Perception
Price is a critical factor in consumer electronics, and the TouchPad’s initial premium pricing did not help its cause. At $399, it was competing directly with more established and feature-rich tablets. Consumers were hesitant to spend a significant amount on a device with an uncertain future and limited app support.
HP’s strategy to position the TouchPad as a premium product without the necessary ecosystem and support was a misstep. A more aggressive pricing strategy, coupled with strong marketing and developer incentives, might have given the TouchPad a fighting chance.
The HP TouchPad’s struggles in the market can be attributed to a combination of factors, including fierce competition, a lack of app support, and an ill-timed release. While WebOS had potential, it was not enough to overcome the significant hurdles in the tablet market. A substantial price cut might attract some customers, but it is unlikely to change the overall trajectory of the TouchPad. What do you think?
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