Opportunities in the Tablet Generation; Update from 89th Social Media Breakfast

I got a call from a friend a few days back, who happens to be a web designer. In our phone call we discussed the next big trend in web design and what skills must be acquired to stay ahead in the game.  We realized the growing trend for websites to have mobile and tablet (touch) versions along with the usual web version. This has opened doors for new possibilities and opportunities in web interface design. With the explosive growth of Tablets and solid growth projections for future, tablets are becoming the way people consume web content. Even though my phone call ended with mutual agreement on cracking up HTML5 instead of Flash, the thought stayed with me. Few days after, with Apple’s first quarter results and the January 2012 Textbook Initiative, the future started to come out of the fog and dawn in my face.

It has been two years since the launch of the iPad. It was a huge bet from Steve Jobs in launching a product with no category in an entirly new form factor,the iPad has become the numer- uno choice for Tablet computers today. It is phenomenal how a product which defined a category is becoming the chosen device for education. Not just the iPad but the Tablet (form factor) itself is fast becoming as solid tool for education, entertainment and business.  At the 89th Social Media Breakfast we discussed the opportunities in education, entertainment and business and brainstormed on ideas for the next big game in tech.

Tablets in Education

Check this video which sums up Apple’s recent announcement to reinvent the textbook. From iBooks-2 to tools for teachers to create new textbook content for the iPad. Nivesh Sharma pointed out about Pearson Publishing’s initiative to digitize all their textbooks. (Interesting) It is not just for education, but for iPad/Tablet app developers, kids are a big target market. There’s a huge collection of apps specifically designed for kids on the app store and the touch interface makes the experience intuitive as well.

Tablets in Business

Another trend I noticed with the iPad/Tablets becoming popular in the business world, was the concept of BOYD (Bring Your Own Device). Even though many organizations did not adopt iPads for enterprise initially, many IT departments had to support the iPads/Tablets owned by a growing number of employees. BYOD is becoming an acceptable norm in the industry. Another exciting possibility which got us hooked was Augmented Reality and its applications. Check this cool video about where AR is headed, its a bag full of ideas.

Tablets in Entertainment

Tablets offer a form factor which offers a very intimate viewing experience. Companies like Netflix offer their entire library of content for the iPad and subscription based music services like Spotify are already becoming popular. What particularly got us excited (geeks?) were the two toys made with Augmented Reality and well supported by iPad, Tablets and Smartphones. The AR Parrot Drone and Sphero.

If you’re fascinated with the evolution of social media and tech and want to discuss, share and brainstorm ideas, feel free to check out our Meetups. We meet every friday morning in West Delhi (India). Join us 🙂

Image Credit: flickingerbrad @ Flickr