(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), which revolutionized reading with its Kindle e-reader, is expected to unveil a tablet computer next week that analysts say will seriously challenge Apple's (AAPL.O) market dominating iPad.
Amazon on Friday invited media to a press conference to be held in New York next Wednesday, declining to provide further details.
But analysts were confident that the world's largest Internet retailer will introduce its long-awaited tablet computer this year to expand in mobile commerce and sell more digital goods and services.
"Wednesday is tablet day," BGC partners analyst Colin Gillis told Reuters.
The tablet has been awaited as a strong competitor to Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) iPad. Apple has sold about 29 million of the devices since its launch in April 2010.
"The real issue here is that, you know, it is likely going to be good for consumers; is this going to be good for shareholders?," Gillis said. He wondered whether Amazon would price the tablet below those of rivals -- and thereby do little to boost margins.
"Knowing Amazon, it is likely to be a very aggressive price," Gillis said.
Source Amazon expected to unveil tablet next week | Reuters
More Amazon Kindle Tablet: Android Tablet or eReader on Steroids? | PCWorld Business Center