Sunday, May 4, 2014

How to make Tablets Successful and Popular


How to make Tablets Successful and Popular
This is a follow up to my blog piece “Why I think Tablets going to be a failure (in the long run)”.

My analysis was based on what is currently available and presented to an average customer with basic security in mind.
If one tries to do too many things from a little gadget (Camera, Phone and a PC) it is bound to become a failure when other professional options are available to do the same jobs.

Suddenly the creativity takes backseat and low priority when one is obsessed with promoting the new gadget which has hit the market but trying to vie with already established professional standards.


I always believe there is many ways making a tablet popular and successful.

This is just a glimpse of my thinking.

My comments were not negative but based on pragmatic reasoning.
If things are dicey the hardware manufacturers are not willing to manufacture little gadget in large numbers.

So I try to think of new ways of making the hardware manufacturers aware and looking at its market force, is for the tablet to be flexible and adaptable to the emerging market especially with school kids in mind.

I thought the tablet is going to be in every kids hand when it emerged first but companies trying to make a capital out of tablets took narrow and selfish approach and killed the universal use of a tablet.


Just like the OLP (one laptop for kids) it died a natural death.

Let me say how we can tackle this problem.

I believe there are many ways like ASUS transformer but I will state what I believe will turn the tables upside down.

How to overcome the problem?
1. Just make the tablet a “Game Console” to play with many sizes.

I really mean a Game Console with many options.

2. This game console should not have a proprietary operating system.
That is an essential necessity.

3. On top of the game console one should build the functionality like a Linux Samba Server.
The ability to link to one's personal computer or laptop if one desires.

This is the crux point.

It is an accessory to what one already has.
No body is going to throw away one's functioning PC or the Laptop since the new kid or the tablet has come home.

The new kid has its own role and it adds to the family needs.
It should not be a duplicate.

If one thinks, the Tablet as an Accessory, the driving force is already there.

It is like a remote control if one uses the WiFi to link to the PC or the Laptop or another Tablet.
I prefer the wired or USB connection with security in mind.

4. How is link maintained?
Either Hardwired or WiFi.

5. Lot of guys and girls would want to carry a portable hard disk or pen for mobility or current work.
So if one makes the tablet the portable companion another low key job can be accomplished without a hassle.

Like the Raspberry Pi one can keep on adding more and more functions.

With the three I mentioned, Game Console, Link Console and Work Console, the tablet can be in every body's hand including school kids.

So my Tablet which is going to have mass scale production and mass appeal has following features.

1. No operating system.

2. Lot of games with USB port for the Game Kit.

3. Stand to keep it erect when playing games or working.

4. 64 SSD hard disk, more is not unnecessary since it is linked to the home computer or the cloud.

5. Silky browser to read the email.

6. BIOS not possessed by a big company. 
One is free to dual boot with one's favorite Linux or proprietary operating system.

7. Lot of USB, MicroUSB, HDMI and other hardware links.

8. Good battery life.

9. Hardwired and WiFi connection.

10. Affordability like Raspberry Pi.

11. No connection to a particular company with dependency on cookies.

I think it is going to be the way forward for the tablets, an accessory everybody needs, like a remote control.

It can actually be a better “Remote Control” that will open one's garage door or light up the house when one enters the house.

Possibilities are countless when one gets out of the “Closed Box” thinking, which is actually the function of a laptop or a personal PC.

Postscript; 
I missed the points that Tablets can be go between the Phone or Camera with suitable Hardware and Software (WiFi) access. but it is a minor point.

12. Security Gateway:
It can be better utilized as a Security Gateway to Internet.
That is futuristic.
Passwords are becoming not reliable due to governments and hackers using them in eavesdropping.
The tablet can be used to monitor biometrics (Full Hand instead of Thumb imprint or Retinal Image) along with other dimensions of security (password) to sign in.
This is something the present dimensions of phone cannot deal with unless one uses, an image (Retina or hand held in front) in front of the phone face.
 This has commercial use.
Your comments are welcome.