Apple -- with its maket-leading gadgets and astounding market cap -- may appear to rule tech. But there is one category in which it is not setting the pace: mini-tablets. Rumors of a tablet smaller than the iPad abound, but so far nada. Why would Apple even delve into the category when the iPad trounces every other tablet out there? There's a market for a smaller form factor. Amazon's spartan, $200 Kindle Fire sold well last holiday shopping season for instance.
Google's Nexus 7 really shows the potential of the segment, however. Analysts and reviewers have characterized it as the product to put out the Kindle's flame. Until recently, Google has been developing its mobile operating system for phones and tablets used by Samsung, Asus, HTC, Amazon and many others. With a direct-to-consumers model, Google wants a piece of the content consumption market via its own media store, Google Play. Question is, can the Nexus 7 eclipse the Kindle Fire and compete with whatever Apple may unveil in the coming months?
The most intriguing aspect of the Apple-Samsung mega-trial is the number of amazing revelations.
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