Amazon unveils £130 iPad rival

The 'battle' of the tablets has some very interesting points (from strategic management). Although, the tablets are not technologically superior to existing devices (ie laptops), they are entertainment items, and Apple has create a new segment in the market. The success of these products lays with the complimentarities that are to be developed with the rest of the products (ie iPad and iphone). Amazon offers the new tablet as 'ungrade' to kiddle which quite dominant in its market. Amazon seeks to establish synergies between the Kindle Fire and its e-books, mp3s businesses. It is quite interesting that Amazon is expected to seek access to the mobile handsets for greater coverage of the market (as Google recently did with buying Motorola's handset business unit). Also, amazon's strategy is a very good example of 'low cost leadership' as it is losing about $50 per device.

March launch for 'cheapest car'

Could this be the answer to the problems of the automotive industry? The low frills strategy has restructured the airlines industry; could a similar approach do the same for the automotive? It would be interesting to examine whether Tata could launch this product in more mature industries like Europe or US.

March launch for 'cheapest car'
India's Tata Motors has said its Nano, billed to be the cheapest car in the world, will be launched next month.
The company said the launch would take place on 23 March in Mumbai. It will start taking orders in mid-April.
The basic model is expected to cost about 100,000 rupees ($1,984, £1,393). The car was due to have been launched last year.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7911749.stm

Mobile phones take to the skies

Does this make sense? A low-frills, cost leader company to differentiate in such as a great scale that even the likes of BA do not... Interesting to note how the company uses customer feedback (you can read and compare with this commentary on the US automotive industry http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_06/b4118032619547.htm?chan=innovation_auto+design_top+stories)

By Colette Hume BBC News

Picture the scene - you're on the plane on your way to a dream holiday destination. Take-off was smooth and the drinks trolley is on its way down the aisle.
The mood is complete - then a mobile phone rings.
For some that sound spells heaven, for others hell, but from now on it's a reality for thousands of Ryanair passengers

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7900802.stm