Why would an office not support a tablet…They run XP or Vista the same as a desktop or laptop?

I could imagine them getting lost more than a laptop simply because they are portable whereas for most people a laptop rarely leaves their desk, and if it does it is to take it home to the kitchen table. I would guess the loss/stolen rates probably approach that of a Smart Phone.

btw
Peter
What is the traffic regd users of this site???
Mr Platter shares his incessantly.

Interesting comment about the early adopters.. I would have agreed with you, especially as it comes to those that post and comment on the site however I happen to know the traffic that Peter achieves here and without releasing that information (thats Peter’s decision not mine, although I have suggested it as the numbers are impressive) I would suggest that the site achieves a good range of readers both inside and associated with the industry. I don’t believe there is enough early adopters in the industry to generate the sort of traffic he achieves. Obviously the other indicator of the general “exposure” of the site is the quick input from companies that are mentioned both in a positive and not so positive light.

From my experience PDA and Smartphones have had minimal impact on the industry as a whole.

I believe that there are a number of reasons for this but some of the major ones are :-

1/ Too Big – Smartphones are just to big for the average agent to use as a primary phone for everyday use.

2/ Too Small – PDA’s and Smartphones generally are just too small to act as a mobile computer. Their screens are far too small to

3/ Unfamiliar data entry – Most salespeople are just learning a full size keyboard let alone handwriting recognition, tiny virtual keyboards or T9 input.

4/Unfamiliar Operating Systems – Again, salespeople are use to good old windows whilst there are a number of mobile operating systems including a few different versions of windows mobile, linux, Apple, palm, plus symbian and more…

5/ Restricted programs – The number and range of software solutions is very restrictive and what is out there is generally expensive and underpowered.

There are of course individuals that still gain great benefit out of a PDA/Smartphone in our industry but for the masses I think they miss the mark by a long shot. If you take out the phones like the Nokia N95 which is technically a smartphone but 99.9% would use it as a normal phone and I reckon the saturation of PDA’s and Smartphones would be under 1%.

IMHO a better solution would be a Slate Tablet (with docking stand, mouse and full size keyboard for use in the office). It’s an operating system salespeople are familiar with and there is no restrictions on what programs they can run. Combine this with a small mobile phone and you have the best of both worlds. Tablets and particularly slate tablets have come of age but unfortunately the major retailers don’t seem to be interested in stocking them as their appeal to consumers in general is low. Those that are stocked are the laptops that convert to tablets. These are still very heavy and expensive and thus some of their portability is sacrificed. We like to have a feel and play with something that is new and unfamiliar before we buy it.

A true Slate Tablet weighs around 1.2 to 1.5kg and can pack up to a Core Duo processor. The Convertible Tablets weigh significantly more, normally between 2 and 3kg. All tablets are primarily aimed at the business user and since they are unfamiliar to most people this will hamper their takeup.

Another option would be the UMPC (Ultra Mobile Portable Computer) that are starting to appear. The issue I have with them is they have much smaller screens and are normally underpowered so struggle with anything other than web browsing or email.

Broker actually, but I have an IT background so yes I do love my gadgets.

Craig,

The iPhone should come in a 3G flavour when it hits Australia which should help your internet speeds.

If you are an Aussie, you have obviously imported and cracked the iPhone you are obviously a gadget lover. Assuming your an agent, whats your experience been like with the tablet. How do you use it in your everyday work ??

And I have a Tablet PC as well and agree that Microsoft could have done it better.. perhaps we won’t have to wait long for <a href=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4243000.html?series=48″ title=”Apple to do it right.”