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Posts Tagged ‘apple ipad’

HP Tablet Means Business – Or Does it?

October 27th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

There’s no doubt about it. The Apple iPad is still a hot ticket and is expected to remain so through the holiday season. But tech watchers also have their eyes on another tablet – one that claims to be less about consumption, and more about business.

Windows Slate 500.

The so-called business tablet went on sale recently with little fanfare.

Why?

At first glance a Windows-based tablet just seems like a crummy idea. But, the Slate claims to fill the role of what the iPad and other consumer-based tablets lack – and that is mobile business.

The HP tablet has front and rear-facing cameras. It has a USB port and an SD memory card slot, not to mention a 32-bit Windows 7 Professional operating system.

With the Slate, HP also has its sights set on specific industry segments such as retail, insurance, hospitality, healthcare, and education. Based on its research, HP believes there is a need for a portable, tablet device complete with customized Windows-based software in these industries.

That is all well and good… but will there ever be a real need for a business-based tablet in the broader sense? And, furthermore, is there really a big distinction between the Slate and a tablet like the iPad?

No really.

While the Slate’s suped up features standout now, it’ll only be a matter of time before the other tablets follow suit. Cameras, USB ports, and memory card slots are all expected to show up in the next version of the iPad in 2011.

And, with regard to need, well, Tony Bradley at PCWorld sums it up perfectly. He writes:

Users don’t want a tablet to be a full desktop operating system, or run all of the software, and use all of the peripherals commonly associated with PCs. They have PCs for that. The tablet is a mobile computing device with the emphasis on “mobile” rather than “computing”. The tablet needs to be lightweight, have exceptional battery life, and provide intuitive–preferably one-handed–access to all of the tasks and tools users need.

The quantifiable difference between consumer-based and business-based tablets seems a little muddled. But, I do commend HP for giving it the old college try. Spin it whichever way you want  - marketing is marketing. And, if HP says the Slate is ideal for business – and people buy it – then so be it.

Can’t knock ‘em for trying.

 Tags: apple ipad, business table, hp tablet, mobile business, windows slate 500

iPad – Pure Luxury

June 17th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

So I came home with an Apple iPad last week. I didn’t think I’d get one – in fact, my husband was hell bent against it – but I bought one anyway.

It’s a great device. Awesome, actually.

The gaming apps have kept us mindlessly entertained for hours. And, every so often, when I feel that my brain has been sufficiently sucked dry of any literate thought or notion – I dive into the Press Reader app and browse my favorite newspapers. I need that stimulation every now and again.

The thing is, as awesome as I think the iPad is, my household doesn’t need it. Not even in the slightest.

It’s a luxury item. Pure and simple.

We’re not going to use it to increase our productivity. And we’re certainly not going to use the e-reader – at least not anytime soon. I love my books and I’m not ready to give them up just yet.

In all honesty, what the iPad has given us is games, kids activities, some educational tools, and access to new media  - all stuff I can get on the Internet. Seriously.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re keeping our little iPad. I see its potential, especially as my children get older and need supplemental educational tools.

But until then, I’ll listen to my daughters fight over who gets to play Angry Birds and my husband tap away at Bejeweled.

We’re going to Italy this summer… maybe I convince him to start learning Italian with the iPad.

Fat chance.

 Tags: angry birds, apple ipad, ipad gaming apps, press reader app