Here’s what HTC's rumoured tablet will need to do to succeed

So, HTC is planning a new tablet. A spokesperson for HTC recently mentioned that a tablet is ‘definitely’ in the works. Their earlier tablet, the Flyer, didn’t really fly off shelves when it was launched exactly a year ago, but this new one is planning to bring something ‘unique’ to the table. The spokesperson made sure to mention that the upcoming tablet is going to have a unique selling point. Well, that’s great, but we can safely assume that it will still run on Android, presumably Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. So, here are the points we think HTC needs to cover if they plan to launch a new tablet to take on the likes of the Nexus 7, the iPad and the Surface – by Google, Apple and Microsoft respectively, and succeed.  

Price your tablet sensibly

Be well aware of the market - more people continue to buy or at least, want to buy iPads more than any other tablet. If you have a product that can’t compete, for whatever reason, you have to price it aggressively. That’s exactly what Google did with the Nexus 7. A $199 price tag has made everyone sit up and take notice. But the Nexus 7 does have a few price trade offs – something which the next gen HTC tablet could improve upon. For example, a SIM card slot and a microSD card slot. 

What's next?

Try to build an ecosystem around your device

People buy tablets and like to install a bunch of apps on them. Make your own app store, filter out poor quality apps, bring in app development houses to make customized apps for your tablet. Offer users a great experience with the product. Don’t wait on Google for the next big Android update to bring in features. Let the next big Android update arrive, but add more to it yourselves. The Nexus 7 is built around an ecosystem which sadly, isn’t available world over. If HTC can manage an ecosystem with this new tablet, they’ve got an immediate advantage over the competition. The Tablet P could have been a brilliant eBook reader and if its form factor would have been properly optimised, it would have made for a great tablet. 

Focus on the feel and aesthetics

This might not be the most important part, but lighter isn’t always better. Most people use tablets while travelling, while sitting on a chair or lying in bed. There’re few people holding iPads in their hands while travelling in a crowded train trying to send an e-mail. It’s fine for a tablet to be a tad heavy, but make it feel right. iPads have always had a smooth yet solid feel to them. They may not withstand a drop, but they feel like expensive, exotic products. Loose panels, flimsy bezels, plastics in tablets have to go - bring in some metal!

Make one product, make it better 

Manufacturers come up with drastically different products under different series names every few months. This keeps diluting the product. Manufacturers need to have more finesse and focus a little less on marketing and fooling the customer. Overcomplicating things by offering a large variety of options to the customer and newly branded models every six months doesn’t help.

Besides this, what do you guys think should HTC concentrate on if it’s planning on a new tablet?