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Thanks to the extraordinary success of Apple's iPad, it seems that tablet computers (sometimes known as slates) are now popping up at a very fast pace from every major technology manufacturer.
Digital Frames, eBook Readers and The Death of the Netbook?
Digital frames and eBook readers seem to be keeping their own. The digital frame is a natural adjunct to the customary frame for viewing enjoyment and sharing of a large number of photos in one frame. The eBook reader is a natural option for consumers who wish to have way to their book content at a moment's notice. Each is a natural outgrowth of the technological advancements of the 21st century and each has proven useful in its own niche.
The tablet computers that are being produced today are still too costly to cause any concern for manufacturers of digital frames and eBook readers. It seems there is only one type of computer technology that stands to lose ground with the coming of the tablet pc. And that is the netbook.
The new tablet pcs are touted to be able to perform as well if not better than any netbook. They are also fairly comparable in price. And, if this technology is whatever like its predecessors, the price of tablets will very swiftly drop as soon as consumers frame out either or not (and if) they categorically are the excellent middle ground in the middle of a smartphone and a computer, both in mobility and highlight capabilities.
The Tablet Concept--Not New
The tablet belief is not a new one. It is at least a decade old. The early tablets were basically laptops that had swivel displays. They no doubt had more power and capabilities than the tablets of today but they were much heavier and bulkier and much more expensive. Even today, these "tablet computers" are still very expensive. They include models such as the Lenovo ThinkPad X Series and the Dell latitude Xt2.
Windows Os vs. Google's Android for mobile Devices
The Windows operating systems for these earlier tablet-type devices were not capable of propelling them into the ultra mobile pc devices they were advertised to be. When Google introduced the Android Os, an highly versatile solution for the mobile-embedded industry, it was at a time when it was foremost to compete with the increasing popularity of the Apple iPhone. Thus the Android Os was used primarily for mobile phones, not tablet computers.
Ebook Readers and the iPad
In the meantime, eBook readers came on the scene with easy interfaces that needed very little computing power, foremost to prices that were very affordable. When Apple saw the popularity of these devices, it decided to increase the size and functionality of its iPhone and the iPad was born. The iPad was meant to compete directly with the eBook reader. But the iPad, with its added hardware and functionality also fit perfectly into what was thought about a dying market--the Tablet Pc.
So the tablet frenzy has begun and once again, thanks to Apple, the buyer is now faced with an extraordinary number of choices as manufacturers feel the frenetic need to introduce their own versions of tablets. The Ces (Consumer Electronics Show), which took place in the first part of January, 2011 in Las Vegas, was the showcase for introducing a good number of them. These included familiar brands such as Dell, Lenovo, Hp, BlackBerry, Viewsonic, Toshiba, Motorola, Samsung and some lesser known brands as Aoc and eLocity as well as many others.
Patience On the Part of the buyer is Required!
It is foremost to remember that as the new models appear on the marketplace, bugs will invariably become apparent. Responsible manufacturers will swiftly furnish firmware updates to fix these so there will have to be a period of adjustment and patience on the part of the consumer, as with any new (or new/old) technology.
Tablet Computers - An leading Re-Emerging Technology for 2011