01.05.10 : 0 comments
Some predictions on tablet usage
With all the buzz about 2010 being the year of the tablet computer, I’ve seen a lot of speculation about the hardware, but very little about how they will actually be used, especially in the business world. (With the exception of eBooks and magazines, of course.) Here’s a couple of different ways I expect to see them used.
Education
Tablets will forever change how we learn as interactive textbooks replace their print counterparts. Expect to see them in wide use at the college level within a couple of years, and as prices drop, they’ll make their way into our primary and secondary schools. (This is great for us because studies show we retain more knowledge when more of our senses are engaged while learning.)
Restaurants
I think the tablet computer will have a significant impact on the food service industry. I see the waitresses role being limited to almost exclusively taking orders. Since they can now send their orders immediately to the kitchen via the wireless network, there’s really no need for them to leave the dining area. (Bus people would handle the food delivery and clean up of the tables.) Eventually, when tablets become cheap enough, waitresses will no longer be needed because each table will have it’s own computer where you’ll input your own order.
I’ll be sharing some more predictions as we count down to Apple’s announcement later this month, so stay tuned. Please feel free to share your predictions as well!
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