Vizio to challenge Apple with low-prices

SAN FRANCISCO Vizio Inc., the nations second-largest televisionsupplier, will introduce a low-cost smartphone and tablet computerusing Googles Android software to attract consumers who cant affordApples devices. The smartphone with a 4-inch screen and tablet withan 8- inch display will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Showin Las Vegas, which begins Thursday, Chief Technology OfficerMatthew McRae said in an interview last week. Irvine, Calif.-basedVizio will also showcase TVs and Blu-ray players that use Google TVsoftware, he said. With the new products, closely held Vizio willchallenge Apple, maker of the iPhone and iPad, and Research inMotion, which plans to offer its Playbook tablet this year. Vizio,known for low retail prices for its flat-screen televisions, intendsto make its smartphone and tablet very aggressively priced, McRaesaid, declining to provide specific numbers. There is a huge gap inthe market for people who cant afford the iPad or whatever else,McRae said. The tablet and smartphone will be sold at Wal-MartStores and Costco, and a carrier for the devices will be announcedcloser to their summer debut, McRae said. Vizio, second to Samsungin U.S. TV sales, is customizing its Internet applications platform,combining the interface with Googles Android software on the tablet,smartphone and new TVs, McRae said. Were going to make sure all thisstuff works well together, he said. Youll see a nearly identicalinterface on the phone, tablet, TVs and Blu-ray players, hooked tothe same application store. Manufacturers trying to compete withApples iPad must create experiences that resonate with consumerssince the devices themselves are easy to create, said Richard Shim,a San Francisco-based analyst at researcher DisplaySearch. We arealready starting to see many of the players starting to invest inestablishing an ecosystem for their slate products, Shim said. TheVizio tablet and smartphone will feature transmitters that allowthem to function as remote-control devices for other electronics.Both will have access to a new Vizio On Demand movie service, whichwill let consumers purchase and rent movies, McRae said.