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The Smart Techie was renamed Siliconindia India Edition starting Feb 2012 to continue the nearly two decade track record of excellence of our US edition.

February - 2010 - issue > Entrepreneur 101

Apple Tablet Why is it a Big Deal?

Gunjan Sinha
Monday, February 1, 2010
Gunjan Sinha
For many of the technology enthusiasts, the launch of Apple iPad is quite a landmark event this week. There is a popular belief that we may be seeing the emergence of a new platform for application developers. The Apple Tablet sits right in between a phone and a laptop, which many believe is a better device than the much touted netbooks in the same price bracket. The reason I wanted to discuss the Apple tablet is to explore some ideas on how this new form factor device might enable new classes of application. It truly can be a game changer – and hence a real opportunity for innovation and startups. I foresee the far reaching impact of devices of this type, creating a whole media consumption experience for global consumers.

First True ‘Lifestyle’ Device

Laptops were invented for productivity, and iphones and smartphones primarily for communication. Each of these devices heralded a whole genre of software applications. Laptops gave birth to a myriad of productivity software back in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. The same is true of the iphone and smartphones around early to mid 2000’s; they led to a large number of ‘mobile’ applications for communication and entertainment.

Tablet form factor is primarily designed for consuming digital media, and therefore for engaging and entertaining yourself. It can be used for productivity or communication, but that is not the primary purpose of this device platform. This genuinely promises to be a lifestyle device.

Emergence of New Class of Web Applications


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