Evolution of Tablet Computers

The Altair 8800

Charles Babbage's invention of the first computer in 1822, which he called the 'Difference Engine', occupied a large room, used vacuum tubes instead of integrated circuit boards, and did very basic computing that wrist watches do today. But it started a new era, of computing devices. Later, in the year 1975 came the Altair 8800, the computer which made Bill Gates follow his Microsoft dream. The Altair looked like an a toaster, did not have a mouse or a monitor (as they weren't invented yet). It was just a rectangular box, with a circuit board. Our friend Bill, who fell in love with the Altair, wrote 'BASIC'  (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) for the Altair. A computer language to create simple programs for the toaster, I mean computer. But inspite of its looks and its pathetic computing ability, it started a micro computer revolution.
Today, we have multiple devices doing the same tasks, but have been distinguished because of their shape, size, and usage. For example, Smart phones, Laptops and Desktops can browse the web and create documents. Then why not use the same old device, if they all do the same?
Here is where the difference comes in, you can't carry a desktop on your shoulder. You can carry a Laptop, but then again, it occupies space and has weight. But your smart phone, is light and equally good in performing the basic tasks. 'When multiple devices have the same computing ability, then the preferred device, by default is the one with the best shape, size and weight' A simple one liner that defines the whole idea behind the money these gadget companies are making today.
Another such gadget, is the 'Tablet' Computer.

Microsoft's Tablet PC

Tablet Computers are not a new invention, there were tablet computers before that came and went, failing miserably in the device market. The idea of a Tablet computer goes all the way back to 1968, when Alan Kay came up with a concept of the 'Dynabook' which looked like a Laptop-Tablet hybrid. Later in 2000, Microsoft came up with its 'Tablet PC' which was a tablet computer as big and as heavy as a laptop, it had a swivel touchscreen, could be used a Laptop and a Tablet. Finally in 2010, Apple came out with it's iPad, which was light, fast, and the first successful tablet computer. Unfortunately, Apple designs products that are sleek and smooth, but they don't communicate with other devices. The first iPad had no slots, not even a USB slot, all it did was to access the internet through WiFi and was a stand alone mini-computer. But like every time it has happened in the past, Apple's iPad started a new era, an era of Tablet computers.
This time, things were a little different though. It was not only the Apple iPad that started this tablet revolution. Somewhere else, in a computer lab, a team was designing a powerful multi-platform operating system. The operating system was named 'Android'. Google purchased Android Inc. and modified the Android OS to be simple, stable and could run on almost any device. That's where Smart phone companies got a big break through, they used the Android OS for their devices, and the outcome were powerful Smart phones. Then an Android version called the 'Honey Comb' was launched, which was specifically designed for tablet computers. That's where this revolution actually started, newer tablets were launched, which had multiple slots and would connect with other devices seamlessly. In no time, the market was saturated with these Android Tablets, launched by various hardware companies. Each with its own distinct features to stand up against its competition.
Today? We have Tablets selling in almost every device market. Though the market success of these devices has been low, eventually they will succeed. The price factor has been one of the reason for their failure, but the prices are bound to fall, as local companies manufacture cheaper Tablets, multinationals will be forced to drop their prices to face the rising competition.
It is clear, that Tablet computers are the future of computing devices, soon they will be performing all the tasks which your computer does today, and will be the primary communication devices, replacing smart phones. It all goes back to Charles Babbage, and all the other inventors that started technological revolutions bringing the technology to what it is today.