By Joe Wilcox, Betanews

There are close to 90 different tablets announced for 2011 delivery. Some of the hottest models, like the Motorola XOOM, are weeks away from availability. Meanwhile, hype continues as fervently as ever about iPad 2. In such a competitive market, with overwhelming number of choices, there are going to be losers -- and lots of them. Is there a formula for success?

Earlier today, I asked Stephen Baker, NPD's vice president of industry analysis, three things tablet manufacturers/retailers need do to be successful. One of the three I most expected didn't make the list (more on that later). Baker is unusual among industry analysts for his no-nonsense common sense about retail. Tablets aren't just tactile in how they're used. People will want to touch and hold them before buying them, which means retail distribution. Besides something new needs to be seen before purchasing; it's retail marketing 101 stuff.

Three Things

I asked Baker: Are there three things you would recommend that tablet manufacturers/retailers should or should not do to be successful? He chose to answer about what they should do. His responses are organized 1, 2, 3 with additional perspective from me.

1. "Focus on distribution. As more and more companies get in you are going to need shelf space and presence to survive."

In late January post "Why is iPad successful?"