Today has been, on the mobile front, one of the most significant occasions in recent times, with both Google and Microsoft grappling for the attentions of the on-looking tech world by releasing some pretty significant products.

Google’s event was called off due to the impending wrath of Hurricane Sandy, but that didn’t stop the Mountain View-based search giant getting its product announcements out there.

Although nothing unexpected was unveiled by the Big G, the Nexus 10, 32GB Nexus 7 along with a 3G-capable model, and LG-manufactured Nexus 4 are pretty significant statements to make on the same day Microsoft launched Windows Phone 8, and with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean also getting some airtime, the battle for supremacy in the smartphone and tablet market is finely poised.

Apple really asked a question of the smartphone market when it launched the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 last month, and I firmly believe both rival companies have answered that question with aplomb. By announcing so much in such a short space of time, Google has outlined its intentions to compete not only with the Cupertino’s flagship smartphone, but also its main iPad and brand-new iPad mini, which launched to a mixed response.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has arguably been the busiest of the big three companies having retailed Windows 8, and with Windows 8 RT, Windows Phone 8, the Surface, and a plethora of WP8 devices all having arrived within the last couple of days, there’s little doubt Steve Ballmer’s company is in it for the long haul.

For the first time in a while, there’s a real wealth of competition in both the smartphone and tablet market, and today’s announcements have been a big contributing factor. No longer are we talking about the iPhone, iPad, Galaxy S (insert version number here), or the multitude of failed Android tablets. The Nexus 7 has been a success, and now offers a larger storage option. Windows Phone has received much acclaim – no less from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and with the Microsoft Surface taking as intriguing approach as the Windows Phone 8 operating system, I simply cannot wait to see how each fares this Fall.

At present, given Microsoft’s lack of apps, the immediate dominance of Android and iOS isn’t particularly under threat, but one has to wonder whether, perhaps this time next year, the tale will take a very different direction.

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