Seeing How Tablets Have Evolved

The term “tablet” isn't new: It's been around for decades. Unfortunately, not one manufacturer and operating system (OS) provider has nailed the implementation enough to make a large splash in the computing market. Tablets were introduced as smaller computers with computer OSes, such as Windows XP, Vista, and 7. These devices resembled laptops, but the screens sometimes swiveled, allowing them to fold backward and sit atop the keyboard, simulating a tablet that you'd write on.

At first, most tablets were controlled via a physical pen interface. Users eventually wanted the ability to use these tablets as computers and usually just opened up the keyboard and performed the functions they needed to perform with the keyboard open. In the end, the user didn't use the tablet as it was designed (for the most part). Implementations changed, designs changed, and new innovations occurred in this space. Unfortunately, though, none of these implementations caught on, mainly becauseusers wanted to use these devices as laptops, not tablets.

Fast-forward to June 2007 when the first iPhone was released and a new generation of phone was born. Android quickly came to market and began to dominate market share. Phone devices have consumed the mobile market and just recently the same market has been infused with a new contender — the redesigned tablet.

Apple introduced the iPad in early 2010, creating uproar in the mobile device market by introducing a tablet with a form factor that even though it was unproven, it still managed to emerge as a winner (as proven through popularity and sales). The iPad changed the way users interacted with tablets. Most users (myself included) found themselves using the device for things they never thought they'd use it for:

• Reading books

  I had lost my interest in paper books prior to the new tablets.

• Playing quick fun games
• Using it as a learning tool for children

  Many apps are very educational.

• Watching movies

Android 3.0 was still in development, and the only Android tablets on the horizon were the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Dell Streak. Unfortunately, these Android tablets were released with the 2.x Android framework. The Android team informed the world that the 2.x version of Android was not built or optimized for a tablet experience and that they were working on a new version. Finally, in February 2011, the first Android 3.0 tablet was released — the Motorola XOOM.

As of this writing, I've had the XOOM tablet for a few months, and I can honestly say that the Android 3.1 operating system is stellar. Having owned an iPad for more than six months, I can also easily say that this is the iPad's greatest competitor and that I enjoy the Android 3.1 experience of the XOOM much more than I do the iPad. While my reasons may be personal, I still do believe that Android 3.1 is a significant contender in the tablet market. And although the iPad and XOOM run on different operating systems, they do share one common mechanic — the form factor.