Apple iPads For Schools: News Corp to Challenge Apple iPad in Education Sector

Apple iPads For Schools: As we have discussed in the past, the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad is becoming more and more popular in schools all over the world. A growing number of institutions are realizing that this tablet has a lot to offer. For example, check out this story pertaining to Arkansas State University requiring students to purchase an iPad.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is actually the smart money’s second favorite publicly traded company but hedge funds have started dumping Apple in favor of a surprising financial stock (see which stock hedge funds are buying like crazy).

While there is no denying the fact that the iPad is the most popular tablet in the world, including in the education sector, there are other companies that want a piece of the pie.

In somewhat of a surprise announcement, it appears that News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) is getting in on the action.

Here is what The New York Times had to say about this breaking news:

“On Wednesday at the SXSWedu conference in Austin, Tex., Mr. Klein, the former chancellor of New York City schools and the current chief executive of Amplify, News Corporation’s fledgling education division, will take the stage for a surprising announcement. Amplify will not sell just its curriculum on existing tablets, but will also offer the Amplify Tablet, its own 10-inch Android tablet for K-12 schoolchildren.”

“In addition to tablets and curriculum, Amplify will also provide schools with infrastructure to store students’ data.”

As you can see, the Amplify tablet is hoping to square off directly with the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad. Whether or not the Amplify tablet has any success in the near future is yet to be seen, but it is safe to say that the company is going to give it a good try.

With all this in mind, you are probably wondering what this tablet is going to offer. Will it be able to compete with the iPad in terms of functionality and features? While there is not a lot of information available just yet, here is what the same Times article added:

“An early look at the Amplify tablet revealed a sleek touch screen with material floating against a simple background. If a child’s attention wanders, a stern “eyes on teacher” prompt pops up. A quiz uses emoticons of smiley and sad faces so teachers can instantly gauge which students understand the lesson and which need help.”

As you can see, this tablet has some features that the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad lacks.

Do you think the Amplify tablet stands any chance against the iPad? Share your opinion in the comment section below.

Check back here for more updates on Apple iPads For Schools.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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