With the iPod there was no competitively sized device for a while. And the iPod actually did develop an ecosystem that did matter -- HW ecosystem. The iPod could plug into anything.
In contrast the iPads ecosystem is a lot less important. And the HW/SW advantage the iPad has is dwindling quickly (the HW advantage is basically gone -- but it is still better SW, even ecosystem aside).
Also the iPod, with the white headphones, became a fashion statement. That's why Apple spent so much time on the iPad2 cover. They wanted to create the same visual fashion statement, but I don't think the iconic look has been created.
For these reasons I think price will play a major role. Not yet. i still don't think the core Android platform is good enough. But by the holidays, it might be.
I will say though that if Android misses the holidays, then Windows will likely be the one to really take on the iPad and Android on tablets will probably go the way of Linux on netbooks.
I don't think this game is going to be decided in a year. I suspect people mostly use tablets for web browsing, checking email + Facebook, and watching the occasional video. None of these applications are particularly "sticky" and I don't think dominance today is going to guarantee you dominance two years down the road at all.
In contrast the iPads ecosystem is a lot less important. And the HW/SW advantage the iPad has is dwindling quickly (the HW advantage is basically gone -- but it is still better SW, even ecosystem aside).
Also the iPod, with the white headphones, became a fashion statement. That's why Apple spent so much time on the iPad2 cover. They wanted to create the same visual fashion statement, but I don't think the iconic look has been created.
For these reasons I think price will play a major role. Not yet. i still don't think the core Android platform is good enough. But by the holidays, it might be.
I will say though that if Android misses the holidays, then Windows will likely be the one to really take on the iPad and Android on tablets will probably go the way of Linux on netbooks.