The Revolution of

Tablet Computers
and Apps
A look at emerging trends.

By Satwant Kaur

T
ablets did not exist five
years ago, but today they are one of
the most innovative and sought-after
electronic devices on the market. This
article will highlight the kinds of fea-
tures possessed by the next-generation tablet
computers. Applications (apps) are revolutioniz-
ing the consumer electronics market, and tablets
have been a central part of that revolution. This arti-
cle will discuss the emerging trends that will develop
in apps over the next five years. The discussion will
also focus on the role apps will play in the revolution of
the tablet computer. Also, a few breakthrough emerging
apps will be mentioned.

What is this revolution?

Next-generation tablets running next-generation mobile apps are
becoming the major platform to conduct business in an enterprise. These
mobile devices have all but replaced the old, tethered WinTel alliance of desktop
and laptop computers running desktop operating systems and applications. This revo-
lution has been fueled by many recent advances in communications, operating systems,
software applications, power, and hardware. © can stock photo

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MCE.2012.2223371

Date of publication: 10 January 2013

36 IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine ^ january 2013 2162-2248/13/$31.00©2013IEEE

 Some of the advances that have brought
immense power to tablets as the sole next-
generation mobile computing devices with
Next-generation tablets running
next-generation apps running on them next-generation mobile apps are
include becoming the major platform to
▼▼ c ommunication advances such as near-
field communication (NFC) on mobile conduct business in an enterprise.
devices, These mobile devices have all but
▼▼ operating system (OS) advances such as
the #86-based OS for mobile devices that
replaced the old, tethered WinTel
enable dual roles for both consumers and alliance of desktop and laptop
business users computers running desktop
▼▼ s oftware application advances, such as
image recognition, augmented reality (AR) operating systems and applications.
available on mobile devices
▼▼ power advances such as wireless power
transfer for mobile devices
▼▼ hardware advances, such as system-on-chip (SoC) multicore # 86 powerful processors with smaller size and
smaller power needs.
Mobile apps have brought us a long way in the last three years. Now, the exponential growth of handheld
devices replacing tethered computers is a natural precursor to mobile apps replacing traditional software appli-
cations. Today, most mobile apps are free, but they will become a major generator of revenue to the tune of
billions of dollars in the next three years.

What are the features of next-generation tablets?

Tablets will undergo many changes to enable seamless communication with external computing devices and
objects and enhance user productivity in a natural manner.

Greater Functionality and Small Size

Next-generation tablets will be small, portable devices that will give us the best of both worlds, combining the
functions of a cell phone and a computer. Although tablets will become easier to place in a purse or briefcase,
or carry as is, they will provide complete PC functionality and more. Smallness of size will not matter. Tablets
can take the form of foldable panels that fit in one’s pocket or any other space the user prefers. Tablets are also
attractive as highly portable and general-purpose front ends for back-end devices ranging from embedded
systems to powerful data-center systems.

Stronger Sensing Ability

Next-generation tablets will have mobile capabilities far beyond those of traditional computers, such as touch-
screens, “instant-on” capability, AR, movement-sensing, and location-aware applications. Tablets will sense
flight boarding passes and initiate data transfer and instantly give us complete flight details and status. Multi-
touch abilities can recognize multiple simultaneous finger touches, allowing for easy navigation and enhanced
manipulation of on-screen objects.

Digital Data and Documents

Global travelers can enter the United States by showing their passports on their tablet devices. Next-generation
tablets would give us seamless access to the files stored on a home PC or work PC over cellular or Wi-Fi
networks. As Internet and mobile data and online services grow in number and capabilities, user data and
preferences live on the cloud, not locally.

Better Display Abilities

Next-generation tablets will transition from liquid crystal displays (LCDs)/LEDs in plastic casing to transpar-
ent glass displays. They will also allow for extended displays. Next-generation tablets will extend the display
by using other home displays such as televisions, other computers, or other screens upon a user’s choice.
Capacitive contact screens can sense even a light finger on the screen. Touchscreen hardware will be enhanced
with multitouch capacitive touchscreens.

january 2013 ^ IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine 37

 Handwriting, Gesture,
and Voice Recognition
Handwriting recognition can be done with a stylus. Gesture
and voice recognition, along with intelligent contextual
knowledge of local cultures and languages, will be a
great asset.
User Location Awareness
Making tablets location-aware with GPS-like apps allows the
information to be better served and locally relevant.
Tougher Casing
The casing will be tough and resistant to a fall or a dip in
the water.
Endless Battery Life
Wireless power transfer from ambient surroundings will
account for an endless battery life.
Next-generation tablets will be
small, portable devices that will
give us the best of both worlds,
combining the functions of a cell
phone and a computer.
Universal Standardized Port
A single universal standardized port will include all
peripheral functionality for the current USB, secure digital
card, audio, and high-definition (HD) video ports.
Medical Scanners
Tablets will have a three-dimensional camera for a variety of
new apps, such as medical scanning and imaging. They will
have multiple scanners: a magnetic stripe reader, a barcode
scanner, and medical imaging scanners.
Flash Memory Solid-State Storage Drives
Tablets can have storage drives or on-board flash memory
instead of hard disks with moving parts. Solid-state memory
has better resistance to damage during movement.
Communications Protocols
Third-generation (3G) mobile telephony capabilities: wire-
less or Wi-Fi connectivity will be used for communication
between tablets. Bluetooth will be used for connecting
peripherals and communicating with local devices in place
of a wired USB connection. Wireless power, wireless Inter-
net, and NFC are the future and will make chargers and
cords irrelevant.
38 IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine ^ january 2013
Small Screens
Small screens are needed. Although large screen sizes are
more convenient, they add weight to tablet PCs and need
more power, leading to a shorter battery life. Thus, a smaller
form factor is optimal for the power, size, and weight consid-
erations needed for portability.
Next-generation tablets will bring us the capabilities of a
full computer running a desktop-like operating system but in a
smaller mobile format. Consequently, today’s tablets
serve multiple functions for multiple consumers and
enterprises: being the e-book when we want to read, the Inter-
net device when we want to surf the Web, the TV when we
seek entertainment, and a full-fledged computer (without a
keyboard), running enterprise business functions.
What do next-generation apps look like?
Technology breakthroughs, such as the availability of greater
bandwidth with fourth generation (4G) and powerful tablet
devices with rich image and video content technologies, have
enabled mobile apps to deliver real-time rich content to us
anywhere and at any time.
More than 1 million apps are available and have been
downloaded more than a billion times. Apps are widespread,
with a variety of uses in a variety of fields.
HEALTH CARE Apps
In health care, the need for expedited information delivery is
critical to human life. Thus, there are new health care-
related apps for doctors and patients that run on handheld smart
mobile devices such as iPads and Androids. These apps include
reference apps, educational apps, electronic medical record
(EMR) and patient-monitoring apps, imaging apps, and point-
of-care apps for doctors.
▼▼ Personal care apps for patients: Point of care apps are for
physicians to use with patients at the bedside. Examples
include DrawMD, Urology, and iSpineCare.
▼▼ The EMR and patient monitoring group of apps includes
Cerner’s Physician Express, Epic’s Haiku, GE’s CA
Mobile, DrChrono, and many more.
▼▼ Personal care apps such as Diabetes Buddy are a means to
help care providers recommend popular health apps to
their patients.
Operations Automation Apps
Organizations can streamline operations and decrease costs
by using real-time inventory management apps and assembly
line apps such as order tracking into their business processes.
APPS FOR BUSINESS
Mobile apps today are targeted at the consumer. Next-
generation apps will be targeted at businesses. The business
world’s adoption of next-generation apps is fueled by an
unstoppable trend to bring your own device (BYOD) to work.
This adoption will lead mobile apps to serve businesses just
as desktop applications do. This will lead to them being
charged instead of free as they are today. Mobile apps and
mobile Web experiences are suited for all business processes
and are resulting in a mobile workforce.
▼▼ Mobile apps are powerful for productivity such as e-mail,
calendar, and contact databases.
▼▼ Sales enablement apps are used for field sales.
▼▼ Insurance apps are used for mobile claims.
▼▼ M obile apps are used by the police and for city
maintenance.
▼▼ Apps are available for accessing real-time inventories,
carrying out risk assessments, analyzing customer rela-
tions management application data, and getting data on
competitor intelligence.
Security Apps
These apps provide the ability to lock doors using a mobile
device, such as a tablet or a smartphone.
Remote Control
The smartphone is the new remote control that never gets lost!
You can search for it by just calling your smartphone’s number.
Talking Objects
You can communicate with all the objects around you using
the apps and wireless sensors that are placed in the environ-
ment around you, that is, your home, appliances, cars, and
shoes, among others.
NFC Apps
NFC will turn objects into an army of service robots that will
turn on the sprinklers on a thief, keep your bath hot, or keep
your car cool at a command from your tablets.
Consumer Apps
Consumer apps include GPS, location-based services,
banking, and personalization:
▼▼ watch television with next-generation apps
▼▼ use apps to record your favorite programs at home
▼▼ enhanced personalization search looks at all entertainment
accounts (e.g., Amazon and Netflix) and finds the science
fiction movie you are looking for and then runs it
▼▼ personalization—information about your regular train to
work, favorite types of restaurants, and favorite hotel will
be stored and linked to the location-based environment
around you; tablets will be the assistants that walk with
you and look out for you.
Location-Based AR
AR apps will detect your location and send you local details
you are interested in, for example, the nearest asthma center
or cardiac facility if you feel something coming on.
▼▼ If you are running out of gas, apps will alert you of a gas
station in proximity.
▼▼ If your car breaks down, apps can call the nearest towing
facility.
▼▼ If you are looking up train schedules, apps can tell you the
kind of parking facility at each station.
▼▼ If you are going to catch a flight at an airport, apps will
guide you to the nearest airport parking and the right gate
for your flight.
▼▼ If you arrive at an airport, apps will guide you to rental car
places, baggage claim, and the nearest hotels and restaurants.
We will be constantly engaged in the world around us
through apps on a tablet.
What role WILL mobile apps
play in this revolution?
The widespread availability of apps for every type of tablet
device people have in their hands has enabled new mass
media, mass market, mass entertainment, mass communica-
tion, and mass-productivity platforms.
These apps on mobile tablets
will replace the traditional Web
browsing access to software
applications from smartphones
or local desktop or laptop access
to software applications.
So the major reason behind the unprecedented growth of
the tablet computer would be the growth of mobile apps that
will become available on it. These apps on mobile tablets will
replace the traditional Web browsing access to software
applications from smartphones or local desktop or laptop
access to software applications.
Role of Apps Available From Stores
The sheer simplicity and variety of apps from app stores is
bringing about a revolution in tablets. App stores provide
centralized catalogues of software and allow simple one-click
on-device software purchase, installation, and updates. Apps
are bought and then downloaded on a target device, such as
an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android phone.
Role of Apps in BUSINESS
Tablets are the becoming the content destination for major
marketing and product information. Several technological
trends have contributed to the rise of mobile apps as an effec-
tive tool for companies to market their products using tablets.
These include
▼▼ access of corporate IT to business applications for work-
force and partners in the ecosystem
▼▼ mobile Web browsing as the replacement of older tradi-
tional desktop browsing
▼▼ movement of business information from the desktop onto
the mobile devices.
january 2013 ^ IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine 39
 Role of Other Emerging Technologies
Upcoming trends will increase the use of apps even more.
▼▼ Mobile apps have enabled richer experiences for end users,
since they utilize offline application cache and offline
interaction at the user mobile device end for boosting
performance.
▼▼ HTML5 has made the Web a common development plat-
form for all mobile browser-equipped devices.
Role of Mobile Technology Enablers
Delivery of rich content in a convenient format on tablets by
apps is also fueled by following technological trends.
▼▼ Mobile touchscreen devices now cost much less and are
more readily available.
▼▼ Mobile devices have become smaller and multifunctional.
▼▼ There has been growth in mobile broadband for communi-
cation purposes.
Intel’s perennial struggles to
establish itself in mobile devices
such as smartphones and tablets
may be over with its new processor,
Clover Trail.
As a result, mobile devices with their apps fulfill most
communication needs of an individual. Thus, we see a trans-
formation of mobile tablets as a primary communication
system.
Mobile tablets with mobile apps on them will be used to
provide newer services and technologies in the new world of
people with mobile tablets and their favorite apps. Business-
es use them for sales of various functions including educa-
tion, the hospitality industry, and hospitals and healthcare
facilities. Apps are ubiquitous software applications that
reside on tablets. These apps bequeath the ubiquity of the
tablets upon which they reside. Now, mobile devices and
apps have become an intimate part of our lives as virtual
personal assistants.
Will Intel’s mobile struggles end
with the new Clover Trail?
Intel’s perennial struggles to establish itself in mobile devices
such as smartphones and tablets may be over with its new
processor, Clover Trail. Intel’s traditional chip designs have
not been well suited for the needs of smartphones and mobile
devices due to their traditionally larger size and larger power
needs. And so, Intel sales fell as PCs gave way to mobile
devices. Now, next-generation tablet devices are using a com-
bination of Intel’s new processor, Cover Trail, and Micro-
soft’s new Windows 8. This may change history and put Intel
back on track.
40 IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine ^ january 2013
What is Clover Trail?
Clover Trail is Intel’s new tablet chip based on a dual-core,
1.8-GHz Atom Z2760 processor.
▼▼ It is an SoC processor.
▼▼ It has low power consumption, so the battery life of a
device can last 10 h or 30 days in standby.
▼▼ It has a SG# 545 graphics core.
▼▼ It has 1 MB of L2 cache.
▼▼ It has NFC and long-term evolution capabilities.
Will Microsoft win THE tablet
market with Windows 8?
Apple iPad and Google Android devices have dominated
the mobile market, with little room for Microsoft. With
Windows 8, Microsoft may achieve prominence in the mobile
market. Windows 8 has applications for a mosaic of tiles that
can be navigated by touchscreen navigation. It can also high-
light real-time information from the Internet.
Given that Intel’s Clover Trail is a #86 chip, it will offer
the best Windows 8 experience on a tablet, with compatibili-
ty and support for traditional apps and peripherals. Thus,
Windows 8 has the potential to bring a breakthrough that
will provide the opportunity to drive new innovation in the
tablet marketplace.
Will there be an onset of A hybrid
tablet market with Windows 8?
Microsoft Windows 8 has ushered in a dual or hybrid
tablet market. The personal OS can be converted to a lap-
top and a desktop OS when attached with a keyboard. That
two-in-one OS versatility is targeted at businesses as well
as consumers.
Hybrid tablets are designed to work with keyboards that
can be untethered from the display screen. This feature
makes the tablets useful not just for consuming content but
also for creating content.
Another Windows 8 configuration on tablets is the
Windows 8 Pro tablet that comes with USB 3.0 and 1080p
video playback and can run traditional desktop software.
Many tablet manufacturers are building hybrid tablets on
Windows 8 and Clover Trail processors, including
▼▼ Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP)
▼▼ Dell, Inc.
▼▼ Lenovo Group
▼▼ Asustek Computer, Inc.
▼▼ Samsung Electronics Co.
HP’s business-ready tablets
HP has come up with a business-ready tablet. With this
tablet, HP is helping enterprise IT with the right break-
throughs needed to leverage the BYOD to work phenome-
non. HP’s business-ready tablet, the Envy # 2 convertible
laptop, is built on Intel’s new dual-core Clover Trail chip and
Microsoft’s new Windows 8. These tablets are business-class
systems that give the business partners the ability to expand
their business, with different tablet options tailored for
specific vertical business solutions. They are also serviceable
and expendable.
HP’s tablets are meant for both businesses and consumers
and will be a big differentiator against both Apple’s iPad and
Microsoft’s Surface Tablet product lines. The combination of
an HP Windows 8 tablet with Clover Trail processor gives
enterprises the security they want for their behind-the-
firewall applications.
Other differentiators such as serviceability, security,
Windows 8, and easy access to current business applications
all offer big improvements to the tablet market.
HP’s upcoming HP ElitePad 900
HP’s ElitePad 900 is an upcoming tablet that balances beauti-
ful design with business-grade features, functionality, and
support. It is designed for business and government and
comes with HP ElitePad Smart Jackets, connectivity options,
and an ultraslim battery for longer runtime. It is aimed at
both business users and consumers.
Some features include:
▼▼ It provides military-grade durability for drops, vibration,
dust, temperature extremes, and high altitude.
▼▼ The Windows 8 tablet’s 1, 280 # 800 screen resolution for a
16:10 aspect ratio works best for desktop business applica-
tions such as Outlook and Excel.
▼▼ The next-generation, energy-efficient Intel Atom processor
provides 10 h of battery life per charge.
▼▼ It has an 11-in size, 3G/4G connectivity, 1.5-lb weight, and
32- or 64-GB or solid-state drive (SSD) storage.
▼▼ It has a front-facing 1080p camera and a rear-facing 8-MP
camera.
▼▼ It has optional integrated 4G with hotspot support.
▼▼ It has finger, stylus, or voice input.
▼▼ Smart jackets: The HP tablet can be placed into one of a
number of jacket accessories that transform the device
and add a variety of functionalities. PA productivity Jack-
et adds an integrated keyboard, connectivity ports, and an
SD card reader. An expansion Jacket adds USB, HDMI,
and other connectivity options as well as an optional sec-
ond battery.
▼▼ The HP Executive Tablet Pen allows users to write mes-
sages and notes in their natural handwriting directly on the
screen.
▼▼ The HP PageLift application automatically trims, correctly
lights, and orients a captured image of a whiteboard, paper
contract, and so on.
▼▼ The CyberLink Media User software suite enables users to
manage and create audio and video content.
▼▼ The # 86 compatibility ensures support for HP Client
Management solutions.
▼▼ The LANDesk Management Suite increases security and
eases management.
Summary
It is time for a revolution in tablets and apps. Next-generation
tablets running next-generation mobile apps are replacing
It is the mobile apps that are
replacing mobile Web and making
the device more than just a
platform for browsing. Users no
longer have to depend on a Web
browser to use mobile apps.
desktop and laptop computers running desktop operating sys-
tems and applications.
As far as tablets are concerned, mobile browsers are out,
and mobile apps are in. It is the mobile apps that are replac-
ing mobile Web and making the device more than just a plat-
form for browsing. Users no longer have to depend on a Web
browser to use mobile apps.
Companies like Google App engine, Amazon Web
Services, and Salesforce’s Force.com are releasing more of
their apps in mobile app formats. Users can directly access
the mobile apps using the Internet. Apps allow browser-less
access to Web site. By eliminating the browser, it is the net-
work that becomes the medium. Users need only a Wi-Fi or
3G/4G connection for their apps to work.
The revolution of the tablets and the apps is underway!
About the Author
Satwant Kaur (satwant@drsatwantkaur.com) received the
B.Tech. degree in electrical engineering with distinction from
the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India,
and the doctorate degree in mobile internet protocol technol-
ogies from Oakland University, Oakland, Michigan. She is
currently a master solutions architect at HP. She was the chief
technology officer of the Emerging Technologies Group,
TIBCO. She is hailed as the “First Lady of Emerging Tech-
nologies” by Silicon Valley, industry worldwide, and national
media such as CBS, the Huffington Post, CNN, and radio
shows such as Money Radio, Peggy Smedley Radio, and the
Michael Ray Dresser Show. Her live radio show on Comput-
ers2Know, “First Lady of Emerging Technologies,” earned
thousands of listeners. She is the inventor of Intel’s RI tech-
nologies and a coinventor of CA Technologies’ advanced cor-
relation engine. She will be delivering the keynote at the
2013 CES Show for IEEE International. Some highlights of
her career include keynote speeches at IEEE conferences,
radio and podcast interviews broadcasted on hundreds of
radio stations, three patents, over 50 publications, over 20
distinguished awards, and many first-of-a-kind systems. She
was featured in “Up Close and Personal with Dr. Satwant
Kaur,” Image Source Magazine, and “Pushing Frontiers with
the First Lady of Emerging Technologies” (IETE Column).
She is on the Advisory Board of Connected World Magazine,
the Connected World Conference, and the Peggy Smedley
Radio Show.
january 2013 ^ IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine 41