Tablets are currently developing and evolving very fast, with the introduction of better processors like the tegra 3 chip which consumes less power and does more work, Tablets are fast becoming very capable devices. They are fast evolving from a luxury device to devices with quite some capabilities. They could be equipped with as much as 1gb of ram and 1Ghz processor. But let’s face it, they still have a long way to go in being a replacement for the laptop/ notebook/ netbook or even being a very capable must have mobile device. I’ve written out some things/features you might see in future tablets.
Improved Batteries and/or Inbuilt solar charging system
Tablets still can’t perform a host of task laptops and desktop can. Tablets still can’t run high end apps like Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop and other apps like it with a high system requirement.
Tablets would get better in the future; they’ll get more powerful and the more powerful they get the more power they would require to run. As a result of this development, either or both of the following scenarios would take place:
- Better Batteries would be developed
- Tablets Would have inbuilt alternative solar charging system
Improved OS
This is a key factor in the future of tablets; The Os of a tablet is an essential core as regards its ability, capacity, price and use. Tablet Os which includes iOS, Android, WebOs, Blackberry and the upcoming Mozilla Firefox Os have come a long way already. As the Os develops, the inbuilt apps are improved for stability, a better user experience and increased functionality. New and very capable app apps are also developed frequently taking advantage of the Os development.
Improved Hardware
Like the desktop, tablets would keep evolving, better processors, better scratch resistant HD displays, scratch proof, shock proof casing are all expected in the future. Even add-ons like CD-ROMs are a possibility in the future.
Dedicated Tablet Functions
As the Os and hardware of tablets improve, the functions of tablets would expand resulting in a drastic increase in their use. I see tablets evolving from being just accessories to essentials. Tablets would become much more capable devices in the future and as such they’ll have dedicated functions such that it wouldn’t make logical or financial sense to perform such functions with some other device. Take Access control for example, organizations may prefer to install tablets that can function as a facial recognition hardware via camera, retina scanner via camera, finger print scanner via touch screen, palm reader via touch screen, voice recognition via microphone, barcode scanner via camera than to install a dedicated hardware for the same purpose.
One might argue that the cost of one tablet compared to the cost of any of the above access control systems would be higher and as such become a disadvantage, however one tablet can function as voice recognition hardware, facial recognition system, retina scanner, fingerprint scanner, palm reader, barcode scanner and a password restriction system and this would be its selling point, Imagine having all this security options in one device alone and this device being cheaper as one item purchase compared to buying multiple devices for each of these purposes. The cost of installation and maintenance would also favor tablets.
Access control tablets can also function as communication devices between entrance points and the restricted area.
Organizations would prefer to install tablets instead of dedicated hardware since they could also be transformed for other use if need be making them the ecological and economical smart option.
A Universal Docking Port
With both Os and Hardware development on tablets, their purpose would greatly increase and tablets would replace lots of gadgets. We already know how tablets are currently replacing GPS devices in cars and public places. I envisage they’ll do a lot more replacement and as such, a universal dock/port for maybe not all tablets (iPads especially) but most tablets be adopted. Tablets may adopt USB 4.0 or 5.0. Tablets would in the future replace more than mobile music players and cameras, it would replace entertainment systems in airplanes, ships, trains and even cars, it’s already doing so, Coach travelers on Singapore-based carrier Scoot have already replaced their entertainment systems with iPads, I expect to see data centers adopt the new Microsoft surface within four years of its inception.
External Devices
As a result of all these replacements, tablets would be made to function with a lot of external devices, Microsoft surface which has a USB 3.0 port can already work with external CD roms, external hard drives, almost any printer (with existing drivers for windows 8), USB converters like USB to RJ45, etc.
There would also be scenarios where there would be need to use tablets as an external storage device or even connect an external storage device to it. Tablets could also metamorphose into driverless devices such that users would be able to connect it to almost any kind of printer, scanner or any other hardware either wirelessly or wired without needing a driver. This without driver installation method was adopted in windows 7 such that pc owners could use some printers, scanners and other USB devices in a plug and play fashion.
Conclusion
Research shows that the average tablet owner’s usage a tablet is 35% for surfing the web, 22% social media, 12% playing games, 12% watching videos and 19% usage goes to other apps. In the future, I expect this to change drastically.
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