The Revolution Will Be Tabletized
Contrary to popular belief, modern computing isn’t perfect: laptops are often bulky or underfeatured to diminish weight, and desktops are large, power-hungry pieces of inflexible architecture. It is for this exact reason that authors, futurists, and technophiles have tried to envision what, exactly, the next evolution of the art of computing will be, especially in a post-smartphone, post-netbook world. The veil, however, has been lifted: tablet computing is the next wave.
Apple can be given credit for making tablets once again interesting through the iPad, but their product will not be the dominating, monolithic product offering that the iPod or iPhone has been, thanks in large part to having Google’s Android mobile operating system now publicly available. Since Android launched, Apple fanboys have done nothing but entirely misunderstand what the point of a free, unrestricted, open source operating system means for the world of gadgets, and there hasn’t been much to sway such mistaken opinions – with the exception of Motorola’s Droid, Android-based smartphones have been unable to individually reach levels of great success and saturation.
The world of mobile computing is finally changing for the better, however, as the use of Android across multiple smartphone devices has eclipsed that of Apple’s iPhone. Having proven the viability and utility of an easily deployable mobile operating system with no restrictions on content through the pure force of the market, it’s not difficult to see that tablets are next, thanks to the overhyped release of Apple’s iPad: device makers can build their gadgets and implement Android, making the time-to-market significantly shorter due to no period of software development.
So it should be no surprise that Dell has announced what they’re calling a small-screen version of a tablet, known as the Streak, that’s based on Android: with all the hardware and network functionality seen in the iPad, and the superior software that is Android, this is a legitimate entry into the field. Tablets are dependent upon touch, making hardware a more important piece of the gadget’s puzzle than for a netbook, and their mobile features are equally just as important – Dell is well known for their ability to produce solid products based on hardware, but their poor, often embarrassing, software capabilities have previously hindered other gadget attempts, such as MP3 players.
Android for tablets needed a big entry into the market for its particular version of gadgetry to appear legitimate, much as the smartphone needed the release of HTC’s myTouch, and Dell has now provided fuel for the fire. The Streak may not be successful, but that’s actually not even important: the market has been opened and Apple’s dominance stands challenged early in the release cycle, both of which are necessary factors to ensuring viable competition.
Next up? Minority Report-style interfaces.
Kyle can be found on his blog, on Facebook, via email, or on Twitter.
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I had a mini-tablet about 10 years ago.. from Palm! Here we go again. I wonder if consumers will figure out what to do with a rectangular screen, hand held computer with no keyboard this time.
I realize they’re not new, but I think this time they might catch on – after a decade of iPods, smartphones, and tiny laptops, I don’t see why they wouldn’t.
–Kyle
In response to another comment. See in context »Huge difference is connectivity- Palm had Sync and IrDA. The iPad has WiFi- and if you can work around the mobile browser, Cloud computing seems to be the way to break out of the iTunes trap.
So in a way, the iPad might finally be the push that the Mobile Web really needed. Not to mention force a huge redesign in websites- Mobile will have to be a core function, not an afterthough like it was 10 years ago. Now if they could learn from Palm and design for offline/intermittent web connectivity.
In response to another comment. See in context »Agreed. The previous instances of tablets were a little early for their time, because the Internet wasn’t what it was today, people could barely use computers, cellphones weren’t in everyone’s pocket, etc. But most especially because there wasn’t such a thing as “wireless Internet” back then.
I think the iPad can be given credit for making tablets viable again, but they’re not going to be the end-all of tablets. Android, for example, has much better capabilities for offline/intermittent use than the iPad does, not to mention core functionality. This is why I’ve been saying that Android is what will historically matter, despite the brand recognition Apple has.
–Kyle
In response to another comment. See in context »Many don’t need files and computing power, the next big thing is what will bump the computer back to work and out of the house, something marketed right that is as easy as turning on TV for senors to surf, watch!
Well Kyle, looks like you’ve changed your tune since “The lie of the ipad”
Android is HUGE – If Apple doesn’t make some very quick – and very smart moves, like allowing Verizon to sell iphones for instance – this could turn ugly real fast. Whatever the case, the next 6 months will be crucial for market share in the long haul.. It is going to be VERY interesting to watch it all unfold.
Dennis – Portland, OR
No, Dennis, if you read carefully, you’ll see that I was panning the iPad and not the idea of a tablet. You’ll also notice that I’ve been claiming Android would be the market changer since the iPad made it’s first appearance – this is what you failed to notice on all items previously. So try rereading what I actually wrote.
That being said, you’re correct that Android is having a huge effect.
–Kyle
In response to another comment. See in context »Kyle,
The iPad is the game changer because Apple was the one with the balls to launch this risky idea that had never seen any success.
The iPad has been ENORMOUSLY successful and will continue to be.
Android is a stellar product, no doubt – but you cannot deny that Android is riding Apple’s coattail even though they (Android) are beginning to show some early dominance.
Oh – and yes you have flip flopped a little bit – I meant no disrespect, no need for detail – just pointing it out. My reading comprehension is quite sharp. It was merely a casual observation.
I look at both products equally, and with objectivity on both sides. It seems to me that you have a hard time looking at Apple objectively because of your hard (and most likely justified) opinions against Apple. Not a slam, merely an observation.
Let’s keep it civil…
Dennis – Portland, OR
In response to another comment. See in context »Dennis,
The iPad is not a “game changer”, and this is a conversation we’ve had before. Enlarging the iPod, using the same software, and selling it as a new product is not revolutionary or gutsy.
You’re asking for civility and pretending to be so when in other comments you’ve done nothing but detract from the conversation, which brings me to my point: it’s impossible to “flip flop” when your opinion doesn’t change.
Tablets, I believe, are an important next step. The iPad, however, is not. My criticism in the past has been directed specifically toward the iPad and its fanboys, while also mentioning that Android-based tablet devices have a chance at true innovation. Let me suggest once again you re-read the two posts in question, because you seem to not be comprehending quite as much as you believe you are.
This is not “Kyle vs. Apple”, this is analyzing products and companies based on reality, not market hype and fanboy attitudes. Dell’s product is not revolutionary, which I made clear in this piece, but it’s likely the first foray into what will be a large non-Apple market – that’s true objective analysis.
These sorts of conversations are not going to continue. If you want to comment, be my guest – just remember that the electronically printed word of my work is on my side, in terms of defending against such arguments, and that if you want to be delusional, you’re welcome to that as well.
–Kyle
In response to another comment. See in context »[...] The Revolution Will Be Tabletized (trueslant.com) [...]