So have you gone out and purchased your IPad or digital pad yet? Or are you having a little difficulty making your decision amongst the many available brand names and features offered and available? It would seem this is the new craze and direction we and many of the digital manufacturers are moving in. First there was the Apple IPad which dominated the digital pad industry in 2010, with an upgrade and improved IPad2 in the earlier part of 2011. This was then quickly followed by three other competitors, Motorola (known for the XOOM), Samsung (introduction of the Galaxy), and most recently HP(now offering the HP touchpad). With so many choices to choose from and the conveniences included with each device, it would not surprise me to see the world of IT take another dramatic turn. These devices offer email, defined photo viewing, internet connectivity, wireless and bluetooth services, video capturing, video conferencing, connectivity to another mobile device(with web capabilities), wireless printing and so much more. They all offer the option fo either a 16GB storage space for $499.00, or a much larger 32GB storage space for $599.00. I am even considering getting me one, so I can continue to be an effective and proficient examiner, even on the go. in my research I have found that these are only the most popular fore-runners, as there are so many more tablets out there by so many other manufacturers or by same manufacturers just on a lower scale. So if you are dreading the high price of these big guns, it may behoove you to do your research into one of these others. A great place to start (besides online) would be at one of your local retailers, bestbuy, office depot, officemax, mobile provider, and Radio Shack. Prices with these less known brands appear to run from $99 to $150, and of course storage space on each will differ, (from 2GB to 16GB) so be sure to purchase one that has an adequeate amount of storage space and that best serves your needs. why not take a look at what the major players have to offer and what each pad offers as far as features.
APPlE: (IPad, IPad2)
Apple is rumored to be coming out in the fourth quarter of 2011 with the IPad3. After controlling the market completely in 2010 and continuing its rule in the first half of 2011, the big brand name is rumored to now be attempting to face its competition with a new IPad that will boast a 2560X1920 video display which is 6x the resolution of the current IPad and double that of full HD.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad?afid=p219%7CGOUS&cid=AOS-US-KWG
Samsung: (Galaxy 10.1)
Second on the market to utilize the Android 3.1 software on its Galaxy digital pad, Samsung is definitely a fore-runner in this market and era of digital pads for both the home and business user. Having made a large contribution to the IT industry over the years, there is no telling what additions this big manufacturer will add to its pad as the times progress. We can expect to see a lot of new upgrades and additions from them in the near future. They are currently offering an upgrade to the original Galaxy tablet called the Samsung Galaxy II.
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab/GT-P7510MAYXAR
Motorola: (XOOM 10.1 w/ Wi-FI)
The world’s first device powered by Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) software and the first with the updated Android 3.1 software, rethought, designed and optimized for tablets, this major engineer and telecommunications guru has set the standards and revolutionized the need for communication for several years now. From pagers, to cell phones and other communication devices to their now infamous digital XOOM pad.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11465208
HP: ( HP Touchpad WI-FI)
New to the game with its launch of the HP touchpad, HP is gaining a lot of attention in the digital pad market. Its new pad offers some pretty cool features to aid both the home user and the business executive. HP computer owners will no doubt be looking to upgrade to this new digital device at some point for a better computer and internet experience.
http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/webos/us/en/tablet/touchpad.html
No matter what brand name you choose, it appears you can’t go wrong as they all offer you a means to be more proficient in all you do, even while on the go. My question is, how do you reload the operating system on each of them? And are these the new devices that in a few months, the now servicing field technicians will find themselves supporting and repairing for endusers? Sounds like a need for some upgraded IT skills and/or cetifications, depending on the manufacturers preference. It may just result in some basic on-the-job training depending on the tech’s level of skills. The new netbooks started out with no CD/DVD drives, and these new digital pads are carrying on the tradition, so are we seeing the end to CD/DVD software downloads? As much as I do like change and have no problem keeping up with the ever changing times, I also feel it is very resourceful to keep in play some of the old school methods of doing things, just in case of emergency, you have a fall back plan available. After all, the economy, tornados and hurricanes haven’t exactly been financially and energy friendly in the last few years and who knows what is to come.
