LG has revealed it had shelved plans to develop future tablets, instead choosing to focus on expanding in the smartphone market.

Speaking to Bloomberg, LG spokesperson Ken Hong suggested freeing up its resources to focus solely on its smartphone business could enable it to gain share from its rivals.

Anti-Android

"We've decided to put all new tablet development on the back burner for the time being in order to focus on smartphones," said Hong.

LG's move comes as many OEMs fail to make a mark with Android tablets.

Though both Samsung and Amazon have enjoyed a modicum of success with Galaxy Tab and Kindle Fire respectively, they've made little impact on Apple's market leading iPad.

Indeed, commentators have been quick to suggest the tablet market is already far too crowded, with HP having pulled support for TouchPad just months after its launch and RIM recently shelving the 16GB PlayBook as the device struggles to gain share.

No surface decision

LG's decision comes just as another major player enters the field.

Microsoft's Surface – which will run either Windows 8 or Windows RT – is to serve as the OS's flagship in the coming years, though LG claims it doesn't see the Redmond giant's tablet as a competitor.

"LG doesn’t see Surface competing with anything we’re focusing on at the moment," Hong concluded.

[source: Bloomberg]