iPad : How Apple Started a Tablet Revolution
At the launch of the iPad3 on March 7, 2012 Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook, who succeeded the legendary Steve Jobs, said that the iPad was “the poster child of the post PC world”. With most other products such hyperbole would be dismissed as part of a sales pitch but not with the iPad. The first iPad was launched in January 2010 and in just two years; it has become the defining product of a whole new industry. The iPad 3 launch attracted night long queues in front of stores. Pre-booked sales have resulted in a 3 week waiting period to buy the product.
In 2011, Apple shipped an estimated 47 million iPads, representing a 73.4 percent market share. Over a dozen makes of tablet computers scrapped for the remainder. Forecasts predict a 2015 market of 320 million tablets with Apple continuing to dominate with a 50 percent market share. This market projection translates to a 70 percent per year compounded growth. A tablet revolution is truly in progress.
Apple did not invent the tablet computer
Contrary to common perception, Apple did not invent the tablet computer nor was 2010 the year of invention. The first tablet computer was in fact displayed at trade shows by Microsoft back in 2002. They had re-written the Windows XP platform to accept touch stylus inputs in addition to the mouse and keyboard and had packaged it as a concept product. Microsoft had also coined the name “tablet” for this device. Microsoft is not a product company and they had hoped that the concept would lead to computer makers like Dell and HP adopting stylus inputs for certain features of their computers. HP did develop a product but since the focus was always on the business user market, the product sank without a trace.
Apple itself had worked on tablet like devices in the 1995-98 periods, particularly the Newton PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) products that were not particularly successful. The impetus for the iPad tablet computer really came from the enormous success of the iPhone launched in 2007 that established consumer acceptance of touch screen technology and the intuitive ease of use that cut across language and culture barriers. The iPhone development in partnership with Cingular Wireless was to overcome the drawbacks Apple saw in its previous efforts to develop the Motorola ROKR phone.
The evolution of the iPad design was built on these foundations and helped by advances in microprocessors, touch screen displays and graphics user interface technologies.
The next phase of the tablet revolution
While the reasons for the iPad’s runaway success are still being analyzed, most people agree that the compact, simple-to-use design that permits even a 4 year old child to use the iPad, the effortless connection to the internet and the daylong battery life are important parameters that contribute to its success.
Tablet computer usage is now expanding beyond the traditional communication, information and entertainment applications to new areas like education, business and medical care. Several interesting experiments are under way around the world to propagate the use of tablet computers in education including the ambitious $50 tablet named Aakash in India. The first applications for medical care using tablet computers are with the US Federal Drug Administration for approval. Small businesses are beginning to buy iPads in increasing numbers in place of notebook or desktop computers.
The major limitation to faster spread of tablet computers remains the price. The $500 price tag is quite steep for applications such as education. The Kindle Fire tablet has set their price at $200, showing that lower prices are possible. The Aakash tablet, albeit with much lower specifications and capability, could set another benchmark.
It does appear that the post PC world is upon us and with increasing convergence between smart phones and tablets; perhaps Apple itself would come out with a new revolutionary product to replace the two devices with a single all-purpose device that everyone can afford. In the words of another Apple veteran Alan Kay, “the best way to predict the future is to invent it”.
Claudia is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on luxury and technology. She recently read an article on mobile games that attracted her attention. These days she is very fond of beach bag.
Naser from Tech Blog
Mar 31. 2012
Nice explanation Claudia. The tablet revolution is not likely to stop.
Peter Lee from Google Gravity
Apr 02. 2012
I think it’s still too soon to say we’re on a post PC era. Although no doubt tablets are becoming more popular these days, but there’re many things such as doing design works that is so unconvenient on a tablet compare to on a desktop or laptop. Tablets are good for checking emails, social media, presentations and most people think carrying it around looks cool. But we still need PCs(desktops or laptops) because tablets still cannot do eveything that a PC can do. Anyone agree with me?
Atish Ranjan
Apr 02. 2012
I agree PC is still more efficient.
jagat from Cell phones review
Apr 03. 2012
samsung Released a newest tab called samsung galxy tab7.7. it’s great tab as well as galaxy tab 10.1.
fazal mayar
Apr 05. 2012
I prefer a pc too lol but tablets can be a good alternative , thanks for this post claudia.
Atish Ranjan
Apr 09. 2012
Thanks Fazal For your comment.
Gaurav
Apr 06. 2012
Really Awesome Article on Apple Industries.
And I think Laptops and PC’s are never replaced by anything
BoltonHiTech
Apr 06. 2012
Great write, it is true that Apple does not invented Tablet, they do improve on others idea to make the industry boom. And as you can see, many people are now interested in having tablets more than normal phone
Thanks for the post
santosh
Apr 09. 2012
Apple started the tablet revolution with the iPad, touchscreen craze with the iPhone,and iPod before that,Now what will they come up with
Danny from pellet rifle reviews
Apr 09. 2012
I seriously hope that the good sales of tablets don’t make the pc/laptop makers to think they should change their focus on tablets. Tablets are not that great. They are more like a status symbol and a hipster gimmick.
I would not trade my laptop or phone for a tablet ever.
I believe ultra books are the future of laptops.
Elena Anne
Apr 10. 2012
I just recently read the autobiography of Steve Jobs and a cool thing to hear is that the iPad was actually thought of before the iPhone. They ended up just making a smaller version to fit the criteria they were trying to meet.
Thelma
Apr 11. 2012
The issue I see with the future and growth of tablets is that typing anything more than a short email on them is too much effort with the onscreen typing feature. I think there would need to be major advancements in dictation software before people really consider giving up their use of their desktop computer.
PrIyAnGsHu from Make Money On The Internet
Apr 11. 2012
Great post buddy ! Thanks for sharing it with us !
Pete Goumas
Apr 12. 2012
Th compact, simple-to-use design is the major reason of ipad success and it is interesting to know how apple started a tablet revolution.Thanks for sharing this informative article.
junaid from technoblasts
Apr 14. 2012
Ipads are really rising in the market and the inventions of new tablets wont stop but i prefer pcs and laptops rather than a tablet which is more convenient.Thanks for the information claudia.
Eric from Apple TV Review
Apr 14. 2012
I think that the higher price point for the iPad is a good thing for them. It makes people think that it is a premium product and people value and want premium products. Think of brands like louis vitton and coach. Do their products really cost hundreds of dollars more to make than anyone elses? Not a chance! But everyone wants those brands because of the status that they imply.
Praveen Rajarao from DailyMorningCoffee
Apr 27. 2012
Tablets are good to just throw them on the coffee table and use it for some limited browsing and stuff. When it comes to hard-core software development work or maybe even some serious blogging, i would prefer my laptop anytime.
Busy Sylvia
Aug 28. 2012
Nowdays Tablet PC becomes more and more important in our life. We can do a lot of things with it. Thank you for you sharing.