Will A Microsoft Tablet Perform Better Than Their Zune?

Microsoft is scheduled to make a big announcement on Monday.  And the advance word is that it will be a tablet, competing with the Apple  iPad and others.  While historically, Microsoft has licensed it's software on other products, the  plan may be for Microsoft to manufacture its own tablet.  The question is, can Microsoft catch up to Apple or will this attempt be as unsuccessful as their Zune product, an iPod wannabee?  So far the track record for Microsoft hasn't been good, but the mantra must be, never stop trying.

"The problem with this strategy in the tablet market is that Apple and Google have disrupted the business model.  Google offers its software for free, and its hardware partners struggle to match Apple on the price and quality of the iPad."  For Microsoft, the challenge must be to bring something new to the product line that competitors haven't done before and to make it better.  I can imagine that one way to take a bite out of Apple would be to price its table noticeably lower than the iPad.  Second would be to build in unique functionality that interacts seamlessly with its Xbox product.  A second screen perhaps to make game playing even more immersive or controller elements from the tablet to the  screen.  Marketing their tablet to their Xbox loyalists could also help capture a significant share quickly, provided that a needed benefit is demonstrated.

So stay tuned for Microsoft's Monday announcement.  The tablet space is getting more interesting, indeed.