LG pausing tablet business to focus on smaller devices

Over the past couple of years, LG has come across a fair amount of criticism from their users as well as loyalists over their late operating system updates to their Android power devices. It has seen the brand go from being a top smartphone manufacturer to its current ranking, which is being lower than their rivals, who include Samsung and Apple. If a report by Bloomberg is anything to go by, then it appears that LG is using this as an incentive and will be discontinuing their tablet development for a while to concentrate on their smaller devices, which includes smartphones.

LG to stop manufacturing tablets for the time being

As per the report, the author states, “LG Electronics Inc., the world’s No. 4 mobile-phone maker, will sideline tablet computer development to focus more on smaller devices rather than compete head-on with Apple Inc.’s iPad.” Speaking on this decision by LG, Ken Hong a spokesperson for the company has issued a statement that reads, “We’ve decided to put all new tablet development on the back burner for the time being in order to focus on smartphones.”

Earlier on this year, LG introduced the Optimus Pad LTE and just like their rival Samsung with their Galaxy Note, they aimed to challenge Apple’s dominance in the tablet segment. LG also manufactures Windows-based devices. One would wonder if the decision for LG to step out of the tablet business for the time being is because of Microsoft's recent unveiling of their tablet, the Surface. However, Ken Hong stated, “LG doesn’t see Surface competing with anything we’re focusing on at the moment.”

The report concludes by stating, “The electronics maker is trying to turn around its mobile- phone business with its Optimus line of Android-powered smartphones after being overtaken by Apple (AAPL) as the No. 3 handset maker last year. LG, which also makes Windows-based PCs, is still open to making phones using Microsoft software, Hong said.”

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