The Factor Drivers towards Tablet Devices - Research Paper Example

The Factor Drivers Towards Tablet Devices Name University Affiliation The factor drivers towards tablet devices 1.0. Introduction The revolution of tablet devices in recent years has dramatically changed the global network and specifically within the social media environments. There are significant companies that are producing tablets with the major companies in the tablet market including Apple, Acer, Dell, Samsung, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola. The tablet devices are mostly used for media consumption rather that interaction-heavy task thereby changing user’s life in numerous ways. The tablet further continues to provide users with new uses and applications that were not possible with the traditional personal computers (PC). Aims and objectives of the research The aim of the research is to utilize recent literature on tablets applications by diverse users and hence determine among other things The difference between desktop computers and the tablet devices Determine reasons why organizations select to produce tablet devices other than use of other devices. Determine factors that drive the tablet revolution Determine the impact of the tablet devices in global network and on the social media environment. Tablet devices are a good example of a relatively new category of mobile computing devices that has gained wide acceptance especially among the relatively young generation. Tablet devices have also gained numerous uses, shaped, and revolutionalized personal and business computing. The widespread adoption of the use of tablet devices makes it an important subject especially in determining how the revolution would shape the computing and global network. The subject is also relevant since there is need for an understanding of the Research questions What are the differences between desktop computers and tablet devices? What factors have contributed to the tablet revolution? What is the impact of the tablet revolution? What are the advantages and disadvantages of tablets use? The paper highlights the tablet revolution and the impact that it has on the social, economic, and other aspects of individual’s life. First, the differences between the tablet devices and desktop computers are highlighted. This is followed by identification of factors that have contributed to the revolution of the tablet device industry and why major personal computer makers are turning towards tablets manufacturing. The issue benefits and advantages of the devices is captured next and this is followed by an analysis of the and advantages of the tablet devices. The impact of the devices in social, economic and other spheres is analyzed and future direction for research identified. A conclusion that covers the basic highlights of the paper is then identified. 2.0. Literature review 2.1. Differences between tablet devices and desktop computers Muir (2013) states that despite the similarities between notebook and laptops, there are also significant differences between the devices. Some of the key differences include input device, primary function, operating system, weight and size, processing speed, screen resolution, and connection to the internet. Tablets typically lack a mouse, keyboard, and a DVD drive with most of the input features contained in their touch screens. This is unlike desktop computers whose primary mode of input is through use of such devices as mouse and keyboard. In a tablet device, users tap the screen to enter the text of their choice. The screens are therefore tablets primary input device whereas for desktop computers, a mouse and keyboard are primary input devices (Muir, 2013). Tablets and desktop computers differ in their primary functions. Whereas the tablets were originally designed as devices for data consumption including media consumption through internet browsing, email retrieval, ebooks, music and movies, the personal computers are largely used for more complex and interactive tasks such as word processing, graphic design and other more complex tasks. The personal computers such as laptops would be better suited for the more complex tasks whereas the tablet devices are better suited for the data consumption such as sending email and watching movie and so on (Muir, 2013). The desktops and laptops use different operating system from the tablets. Whereas the tablets use the Smartphone operating system, the desktops use computer operating system. These systems work in different ways and are suited to different needs (Muir, 2013). Tablets are smaller and are lightweight making them more convenient to carry them. Desktop computers on the other hand are relatively bulky and heavy and thus not suited for mobility. Tablets weigh far less compared to a laptop with the common sizes ranging from 7 to 10 inches. Another major difference between the tablet devices and the personal computer is the processing speed and screen resolution. Similar to the personal computers, tablet devices have different processing speeds and screen resolution but their processors are different from those used in laptops. Their memory is always smaller compared to the laptops and these may range from 8 GB to 64 GB. However, the battery life for the tablet devices is mostly longer than for the laptops (Muir, 2013). 2.2. Factors that have driven towards tablet devices revolution and reasons why organizations chose to produce tablet devices over other type of devices Various factors have contributed to the tablet revolution and the significant increase in the number of users for the tablets and increase in the number of organizations that are producing tablet devices over other devices. Fidgeon (2011) notes that through usability interviews and observations, there is an obvious preference for use of tablet devices for self-contained and simple tasks although there is less use for work related tasks. Nonetheless, tablet devices are also finding application in diverse environments including at the workplaces especially in healthcare, retailing and in manufacturing. Such uses including access to enterprise network, and education and increased applications development environment are also contributing to the revolution in the tablet devices industry. The decline in the personal computer market has also meant that marketers have to come up with new products that will increase company’s sales and thereby improve organizations profitability. The use of data plans and applications for specific devices has also meant that most tablet devices are better able to retain their customers and offer products that will increase their earning capacities over time through lock in of their customers through various services such as data plans. Another major factor that have contributed to the tablet devices revolution is the fact that they are bigger and easier to navigate compared to the Smartphone and also smaller and lighter compared to the personal computers. In addition the fact that the tablet devices provide more real estate for developers to work and more enjoyable experience for the consumers have resulted to the significant adaptation of the devices among diverse consumers (Norkin, 2012). Besides the convenience in the use of the tablets, the myriad application especially for personal use has also resulted to the increasing use of the tablet devices. Besides retail, manufacturing, and education, individual use of the devices such as in banking has also increased the adoption of the device among users. Norkin (2012) points out that tablet devices through their applications are becoming crucial tool for individuals to access online banking services including access to statements, access diverse banking products, and transfer money between accounts and so on. Such innovative uses have increased their adoption and hence the need for organizations to produce tablet devices. 3.0. Benefits and advantages of using tablet devices The major advantages and benefits of the tablet devices are attributed to its characteristics. The fact that the devices are smaller, lighter, unobtrusive, and easily portable has made it applicable in a range of settings including in the learning environment such as classrooms. The tablet devices are suitable at the workplace especially for the non-interactive tasks such as checking email and for simple presentations especially aided by their rich graphics and the ease in transportation due to the non-bulk and lightweight factors. In addition, Fidgeon (2011) adds that the personal use of tablet devices is predominantly for consumption of media such as video, audio and for social activities including checking social website and email. This has made tablet devices a crucial companion for various applications such as internet advertising, education and other media rich applications. Deloitte (2011) asserts that other than the personal use, tablet devices are important for use in various workplace settings and especially in retail, manufacturing and healthcare. Such an adoption is based on the tablets lack of moving parts, ease of use, minimal need for training and the long battery life. The significant numbers of developers for applications that are applicable in the tablet devices have further increased the capacity for the applicability of the devices in diverse settings including in banks and other financial institutions to deploy online banking. Deloitte (2011) further points out that the tablet devices are easy to use and can serve as a constantly updated catalogue and thus it can be deployed in point of sales in combination with card readers. Norkin (2012) points out that one of the most important advantages of using tablet devices is the fact that it provides for greater flexibility and mobility, which may make them particularly useful for organizations that need to collect data away from offices. Users such as organizations are therefore better able to serve their customers wherever they are positioned. The instant access availed to such users when addressing customer’s queries is crucial for organizations as it enables the employees to provide accurate information to customers when required. Norkin (2012) also adds that perhaps one of the biggest advantages of tablet devices is the sheer number of applications that individuals and organizations can select from and deploy to meet diverse objectives. For instance, taking advantage of the mobile capabilities, touch screens and cameras, banks can open accounts, apply, and approve loans in the field. Banks can also compare information from other similar institutions concerning their performance. This is besides other applications that are already available and developed and which the organization can implement to streamline and improve the experiences of their customers. 4.0. Disadvantages of tablet devices Fidgeon (2011) suggests that tablets devices are mostly used for non-interactive and light tasks. One of the disadvantages of the use of tablet devices is the difficulty in using the devices for interaction-heavy tasks that require massive data entry. Websites have also had to be configured for use in some of the devices such as the iPad that does not support flash content. Another challenge with the use of the devices is the challenges of hitting appropriate targets in the touch screens. This makes the interaction slower especially where the touch targets are close to each other. The tablet devices are often not suited to support data entry. Fidgeon (2011) posits that research on users have shown that many users often abandon tasks when they become aware that a task involves inputting large amounts of data and instead opting to use the personal desktop or laptop computers. The use of tablets at the workplace especially for interactive tasks is limited, with most individuals preferring to use the devices for simple and self-contained tasks. The difficulty in using the devices for interactive and complex tasks such as creation of documents and editing is a disadvantage in its application at the workplace. 5.0. The impact of tablet devices The tablets devices are having a significant impact on different spheres of individual’s lives and industries. Organizations are also coming up with new uses for the devices. Anderson et al (2006) suggests that one of the areas that the tablet devices are having an impact is in education. The tablet devices have myriad applications that would affect the way it is used in education. According to Anderson, the tablet devices, with their characteristics of connectivity, portability, and stylus based input makes it a natural extension to the use of chalkboard and notebook. The fact that the tablet devices are powerful enough to use in number crunching and unobtrusive due to their smaller sizes has increased the applicability of the devices in learning environment. Fidgeon (2011) suggests that research on usability studies have shown that usage of tablet devices for media consumption also shapes the type of content that tablet device users expect. In this case, the revolution of the tablet devices shapes the users expectations and users expect easily legible text, video, and content. This also means that organizations should support the usage patterns. For instance, there is limited support for flash content for most of the tablets personal computers and for some devices such as the iPad, flash content is not supported. This means that organizations who want device users to access their site should ensure they are viewable by ensuring that there is no content in flash. The tablet device revolution has therefore positively influenced news businesses. Ron (2012) argues that the advent of the tablets has ultimately aided media consumption and subsequently positively influencing the news businesses. Such an impact is crucial for journalist who may use the platform to find new ways of changing the increased news consumption into consumption opportunities. 6.0. Limitation and future research Technology continues to change in numerous ways and the tablet devices will continue to change in design and attributes as more organizations continue to produce the devices. It is not possible to identify all the potential uses that the devices will be put into considering that technology may become obsolete within short periods especially where new technologies that replace existing technologies come into place. However, future research may go beyond identifying the factors that have contributed to the tablet devices revolution, advantages and disadvantages and their differences from the personal tablets and include new and possible applications that are likely to change the social and economic environment through their application in solving various problems. Another area where future research may cover includes the significant fragmentation that will continue to occur in the tablet market. Rosoff (2013) uses the analogy of the automotive market with trucks and cars to provide a picture of the various categories and subcategories of tablet devices that exist today. Such fragmentation is also likely to occur within the tablet market as seen with the changes in size from the defacto 10-inch standard size to other sizes and even including phone-tablet hybrids with diverse operating systems including iOS, Android, and windows among others. The impact of the rise of the diverse niches is an area that may generate wider research as the experiences of users differ. Finally, the rise in the use of tablet devices in content viewing, watching videos and so on is an indication that the rise of the tablet device may influence use of other media formats including television. Further research on how the rise of the tablet devices may influence use of other products such as the traditional television, and other media formats such as video on PCs, and T.Vs and the social and economic implications of these changes. 7.0. Conclusion The rise of new technologies often upsets the existing technologies and their application. The rise in the use of tablet devices have revolutionalised the way people interact by improving their social experiences through easy access to movies, ebooks, email, games and other media rich experience. However, the new uses of the devices especially in retail and healthcare among other areas point to the obvious benefits that may be attained from the use of tablet devices. References Ron, miller. (2012). The great tablet hope. Econtent 35.1: 32. Rosoff, Matt. (2013). Thinking of tablets only as new factor misses the point. Viewed on 7 June, Norkin, Ken. (2012). The tablet revolution. Independent Banker, 62.5. 14-17. 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