Tablets: Could be the Future of Personal Computing
By Benjamin Blascoe
I think we were all pretty mesmerized by the movie Minority Report’s depiction of ‘space-age’ computer software – watching the actors move documents by touching the screen and sliding as opposed to an external tool like a mouse and keyboard. Then a few years later, lo-and-behold, the tech gurus of our time made it happen with touch software. Apple hit it big with the iPod and iPhone marketing campaigns and ever since, they have had a seemingly firm grasp on the ‘touch’ realm of technology (although HP and Dell have also developed).
But now that touch software is everywhere we look via our personal devices like phones, mp3 players and now computers, what is next?
According to an article in BusinessWeek by Olga Kharif, tablets are the next step. Basically, a tablet will act much like a laptop computer except with much more versatility and portability. It is the ultimate in personal computing. A one-unit extremely portable device that can do everything but make phone calls – for now…
In the article Kharif says, “There’s no hotter topic [than tablets] in Asia right now,” says Richard Doherty, a director at market researcher Envisioneering Group, who says Apple has developed prototypes of two different tablet machines—one that resembles a large-sized iPod and boasts a 6-inch screen, and another that features a larger display.” Forget the billboards with childish games for the iPod Touch, Apple is going to launch a laptop that looks, acts and thinks with the touch software!
This is going to be larger than Tickle me Elmo!
But Apple is not the only company planning to launch a tablet. Nokia, the world largest manufacturer of cellular telephones is planning to drop a tablet, as well as TechCrunch.
I know what most of you are thinking… Tablets? Those are not new…
History does repeat itself and the tablet is no exception. Microsoft as well as some other tech aficionados have all put out tablets in the past only to be pulled from the shelves. However, never before in history has anyone been as synonymous with style, luxury and comfort as Apple and henceforth, their debut of the tablet will streamline other companies to follow suit. Kharif says “The addition of new players such as Apple, however, could help make these machines as popular as netbooks, the small and inexpensive laptop computers whose sales are expected to almost double this year, despite the recession.”
As for the price, I am sure we will have to wait and see what the market deems worthy. Assumptions say anywhere from $700 to $2000. But as a business tool, these devices are priceless. Given that Apps for Blackberry and the iPhone are starting to cater to the business realm and that the tablet will be able to use these, the tablet will act much like a portable office giving the user access to anything and everything one could ever need. Apple still has a stranglehold on the creative realm while others tend to lean towards business however, the inception of the tablet could change things… once and for all.
I am excited to see how other companies such as Dell, HP, Compaq and Microsoft respond. What do you think, will the tablet revolutionize or flop? Join the discussion…
