Mobile devices and tablet technology is progressing quickly, and more competitors are joining the market for both types of equipment.
The current major tablet computers that are on the market include the Kindle Fire ($199), The Asus Eee Pad ($350), the Sony Tablet S ($475), the HP TouchPad ($250, $100 recently)), the Samsung Galaxy Tab ($500), the BlackBerry Playbook ($350), the Motorola Xoom ($450), and the Apple iPad ($475) and iPad 2 ($500). (Unknown, Tablet)
The Apple iPad was released in the United States in early 2010, and they were only available initially at The Apple Store locations and the Apple website. Since then, it was made available at retailers along with cell phone companies. Nearly a year after the iPad came out, Apple released a second generation of the iPad, or iPad 2 with many new advancements, such as a thinner tablet size, a better processor, front and back cameras, and more, while still keeping the same battery life expectancy and nearly the same price. The Apple iPad really jumpstarted the market with tablet PCs, even though it wasn’t the first tablet to be released.
Currently, more competitors are joining the market of tablet computers, whereas the life of the netbook computer seems to quickly be ending. While the idea of a small laptop was appealing before the takeoff of the tablets, they are disappearing from the sales floor, and not because they are selling.
Currently, more competitors are joining the market of tablet computers, whereas the life of the netbook computer seems to quickly be ending. While the idea of a small laptop was appealing before the takeoff of the tablets, they are disappearing from the sales floor, and not because they are selling.
In the next ten years, it isn’t infeasible to think that something else will come along to knock tablet computers out of the picture, as floppy discs, big clunky computers, low function laptops, and workstations have, and how desktop computers slowly are. However, it can also be predicted that tablet computers will take over the full size computers. With technology advancing so quickly, tablet PCs may become direct competitors to laptops and desktop computers. Motherboards and memory devices are getting smaller and more powerful, so it is possible for tablet PCs to become the new full functioning computer in the near future.
Mobile devices are changing much more rapidly than pretty much any other technology on the market. The types of mobile phones are conventional cell phones, or smart phones. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) aren’t technically mobile phones, but rather a combination of a computer and mobile device. Conventional cell phones are very basic wireless phones. They allow the user to make a receive calls, store phone numbers, send and receive text messages, and not much else. Some of the more “advanced” conventional cell phones have low-resolution cameras, and limited browser functions. Smart phones are basically mini computers. The can perform all the functions of a conventional cell phone, along with media browsing, word processing, email managing, wi-fi connecting, GPS navigating, and much more. These phones are usually equipped with a QWERTY keyboard, and a touch screen for easy operation. The major brands of cell phones include but aren’t limited to Apple, HP, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony. (Unknown, Consumer)
The problem with the advancing of mobile devices is that it is becoming very difficult to find conventional cell phones at mobile retailers, now. Especially for the convenience and safety of older America, much more than the basic cell phone is difficult for adults to use that haven’t been exposed to technology like the recent generations have. Granted, the luxury of having a cell phone has diminished, the cost is still quite high. The price of a smart phone, without the price of a calling plan, is upwards of $300 or more for some. Of course, if you set up a contract, that price drops. But with a smart phone, you are required to pay for a data plan per month. Until early summer of 2011, most phone companies were charging a flat rate for unlimited data usage. Now, there is a flat rate up to a certain about of used data, and then there are charges for going over the data limit, making it even more expensive. The cell phone carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus, and Sprint, are all trying to have the best deals, even though the coverage doesn’t work everywhere.
The problem with the advancing of mobile devices is that it is becoming very difficult to find conventional cell phones at mobile retailers, now. Especially for the convenience and safety of older America, much more than the basic cell phone is difficult for adults to use that haven’t been exposed to technology like the recent generations have. Granted, the luxury of having a cell phone has diminished, the cost is still quite high. The price of a smart phone, without the price of a calling plan, is upwards of $300 or more for some. Of course, if you set up a contract, that price drops. But with a smart phone, you are required to pay for a data plan per month. Until early summer of 2011, most phone companies were charging a flat rate for unlimited data usage. Now, there is a flat rate up to a certain about of used data, and then there are charges for going over the data limit, making it even more expensive. The cell phone carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus, and Sprint, are all trying to have the best deals, even though the coverage doesn’t work everywhere.
In the next ten years, mobile devices will get even smaller and even higher functioning. It could be that conventional cell phones will become completely obsolete, and the higher technology will be forced onto everyone wanting a cell phone, whether for the functions of a smart phone, or just a lifeline for emergencies. The continued competition will probably never lessen from where it is now. With more children getting cell phones for their personal use, the number of subscribers is very unlikely to drop in the near future as the new versions of cell phones and smart phones continue to roll out on a regular basis. The consumers’ need for the most recent technology keeps companies afloat and pushing for the next big product.
Current operating systems for any computer technology include Linux, Leopard, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and others. More and more tweaks are occurring to technology, that these operating systems will probably be unable to handle some of the upgrades. Microsoft Windows has developed many subsidiary operating systems over the years to compensate for advancements in technology, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Needless to say, most other systems will have to rework their current operating systems like Microsoft. Within the next ten years, Windows, Mac, and Linux will still be around, with changes. New systems will probably emerge over time, as well.
References
Unknown. "Cell Phone & Service Features from Consumer Reports." Consumer Reports: Expert Product Reviews and Product Ratings from Our Test Labs. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile-devices/cell-phones-services/cell-phone-service-buying-advice/cell-phoneservice-features/cell-phone-service-features.htm>.
Unknown. Tablet Comparison | Tablet Pc Comparison 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/>.
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