Apple hopes to catch rival tablets with iPad ads

Apple has been hoping to grab some possible tablet buyers by running Google ads against its own competition, searchers are finding today. A search in the UK for the Dell Streak, where it's already on sale, turns up an AdWords spot for the iPad alongside those from Dell itself. Likewise, looking for the as yet uncertain HP slate has been turning up similar ads for some web residents; since it's unreleased, the HP device gives Apple the only sponsored search result.

Such tactics aren't uncommon in other categories, as automakers will often run ads against each other to lure customers. The practice is relatively rare among home electronics, though, and Apple has largely shied away from such attempts itself. Searching for Zune-related queries, for example, doesn't turn up iPod ads.

The campaign suggests Apple is especially concerned about attracting and keeping customers in the early phases of the iPad's history, even though very few direct competitors are shipping while others have either been delayed or possibly killed outright. The Streak isn't due to reach the US until July, and competition from ICD and Notion Ink may not ship until towards the end of the year. [via TechCrunch]

By Electronista Staff