Tablets for You, Me, and Everyone Else
As I mention earlier, I have the Motorola XOOM tablet, and I love it. However, some people don't like how big it is and prefer the Samsung Galaxy Tab because it's smaller and more portable. This is the beauty (and downfall) of an open system such as Android. Its beauty is recognized by the fact that we have so many great options for users to consume our applications, but at the same time, this is a downfall. Each device is made with different hardware and is also made with a different screen size. So you can see how certain device sizes and models play directly into your end goal as a developer — developing an application that helps change the world.
Wait, did I really say that? Yes, I did. You sure can develop an application that can change the world. I mean it! Because there are so many different tablets, you can then use these options to play directly into your plans.
Let me explain in more detail. Remember the last time you went to the doctor? He was probably wearing one of those white lab coats — right? — the kind provided by the hospital or medical facility. But have you ever noticed how big the pockets are on those devices? They're actually pretty small. A Motorola XOOM wouldn't fit into the pocket sleeve. However, a Samsung Galaxy Tab does fit perfectly into the sleeve.
Another start-up that I'm part of, Agile Medicine, uses a smaller tablet (such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab) form factor to develop cutting-edge software for the medical industry. Doctors and other medical professionals can use these devices to perform a wide array of operations in a health and medical capacity, meaning that these health-care professionals can become more productive while taking care of you and me on a day-to-day basis. The same thing could not be done for any of the larger tablets.
Specializing in a particular size of tablet can work out for the better if you just think out of the box. For example, you could develop applications for the logistics industry that allow drivers (think UPS/FedEx) to scan, check in and out, and have customers sign for packages all through your app. Other examples include an app that allows auto body shops to provide repair quotes via the tablet. By circling or coloring damaged areas of a vehicle illustration, clients can see what the quote is referencing. Other possibilities include student assistant learning aids, communication devices, and control flow dashboards for manufacturing companies.