Acer has been a partner with Google for quite some time spanning several different types of devices. While we are all familiar with the company’s Chromebook, Acer also has their Iconia tablet series that has certainly had its stints of popularity. According to the company’s chairman, we could be seeing Acer push these Chrome and Android based devices even harder than they have previously.
Like other OEMs, Acer is currently double-dipping in the mobile world as it has been producing Windows devices as well. While it may have seemed like the company has been focusing on these Windows devices, that is likely to change. This is as a direct result of Acer posting an unfortunate loss in Q2 of 2013. The company blames Windows 8 as the platform is not very popular with neither consumers nor developers.
Currently, Chromebooks make up about 3% of the company’s shipments. It is unclear as to what other Acer products make up, but the company is hoping to have 12-13% of its product shipments be those based on Google software by the end of the year. Even further, Acer’s chairman stated that he hopes to increase that number to 30% by the end of next year. This would mean a significant push and will undoubtedly require further innovation.
Acer is certainly setting its sights rather high as they haven’t exactly flourished. The company only claims about 9% of all tablet and PC sales worldwide. This means that Acer is unable to make a significant presence while using both Microsoft and Google software.
This certainly isn’t a good sign for Microsoft as Acer was one of the first early adopters of the Windows 8 platform in the tablet space. In addition, both HP and Lenovo have both publicized their desire to adopt Google software for some of their devices. With the PC market dwindling day by day and the tablet market making incredible strides, hardware OEMs must do what is necessary to keep their brand afloat.
It is always unfortunate to see competitors struggle as it tends to stifle competitiveness. However, it certainly does bode well for Android users as Acer is likely to try and focus the lower-end market by providing devices at highly affordable prices.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Via: CiteWorld