Tablets are personal, recreational devices

A RECENT "editorial" by popular tech website Endgadget debating the level of productivity that can be achieved with slates as opposed to laptops struck me as odd.

Slates are not the necessary "third devices" that must be owned, and that the current crop of tablets in the market cannot replace the ever-reliable modern laptop just yet, the author argued in a personal take on a debate that is likely to be a popular topic amongst technophiles in the coming months.

Touching on the limitations of tablets, the writer lists down a series of disadvantages of using slates for work; for example the "awkwardness" experienced when using one (to type or take photos), the fact that the need for a "third device" is completely a manufactured idea by marketers trying to convince consumers that it is a device worth owning if they already have a laptop and a smartphone.

"Apple, and everyone else trying their best to hawk tablets, would have you believe that there's a huge hole in your technophile lifestyle that can only be filled by hauling around yet another contraption", the author writes, adding that a smartphone and a laptop combined is more than sufficient to cater for general productivity needs.

Naturally a flurry of comments followed the post, reaching up to 46 pages' worth. A minority agreed with his views, while more than a few pointed out the author's oversight on the single most important thing that was mentioned in the beginning at the article: that marketers are convincing buyers that tablets are worth purchasing as a "third device".

"The article keeps talking about why you wouldn't use the tablet in place of either a phone or a notebook. Isn't the entire point of it being labelled "the third device" that the device does not replace those products, but rather complements them?", reads one comment.

I am against the view that smartphones are comfortable to surf websites on, let alone watch movies on. On qHD displays becoming the norm for smartphones, "most modern smartphones can match even the highest-resolution display", which is true, but I believe compromising screen estate for better pixel resolution just doesn't cut it.

Speaking of ergonomics, repeatedly zooming and panning to view websites is far from the most natural way to surf the Net — just as uncomfortable as it would be squinting at a 4.3-inch screen while watching movies.

Not to say I disagree with the general sentiment of the article, I do think tablets are still novelties to many professionals out there who edit movies on the go, or use resource-heavy software such as Photoshop. Hence that's why marketers are spot-on to label the slate as a "third device". It was never one to replace the smartphone OR the laptop, but merely to be used alongside the two.

I view it as more of a personal, recreational device. In a previous article, I cited a report issued by bit.ly, a URL shortening and analytics service, which revealed clear patterns in statistics on links clicked vs time of the day and type of device used.

"Overwhelmingly, individuals were waking up to using their computers and smartphones and staying glued to those devices through the day — but as their use waned toward the end of the work-day, people started picking up their iPads. On the weekends this adjusts slightly, with more iPad use throughout the day as well," said the report.

"What these statistics suggest is that the iPad is establishing itself as a truly recreational device. The work and school days are now ended with the types of casual web surfing, news and book reading and game playing that the iPad excels at."

While the report only cites the iPad as an example, it gives a general idea of when and how slates are commonly used.

At the end of a long day, would you want to lug a hot and heavy piece of equipment onto your lap, wait for it to boot, etc — just so you can check some e-mails and surf the net, and maybe (comfortably) watch a few video clips and send a few tweets along the way?

I don't think so. But nonetheless, the author is right. There is no actual need for a third device. It is merely a luxury only some will be able to afford.

The Brunei Times