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Tablet Computing: A History Of Failure

Jay Yarow | Jan. 25, 2010 in Silicon Alley Insider

Tablet computing has a long history, and none of it is particularly great. From the Newton to the CrunchPad, tech companies have tried to sell a simple slab that can access the web, deliver email and maybe some gaming. On paper it sounds great, but the execution to date has been disappointing.

Check out 16 tablets through the years →

When Apple takes the wraps off its entry into the market this week, it’s expected Steve Jobs will produce a product that undoes over a decade’s worth of tablet flops.

How can Apple get it right, when others have gotten it wrong? Read the full article and see.

• Focus on building great software. The iPhone’s revolution was its brilliant software which made using the phone a pleasure. (The iPhone’s software serves as the base for the tablet, according to a report from Boy Genius Report.)

• Get the user interface right. So far, tablet computer has either been a bad extension of an operating system built for a desktop computer, or has required an awkward input device, such as a stylus. Apple’s multi-touch “gesture” based user interface may be a breakthrough.

• Redefine the tablet computing ecosystem. The Wall Street Journal reported a bunch of details about the tablet last week. The essence of the report: The tablet is supposed to be a new way to consume media, not just a touchscreen edition of your laptop. Apple can complement its hardware with digital movies, TV shows, magazines, books, music, games, third-party apps, and other media — which prior tablets haven’t done.

Right now, we picture it sitting on the coffee table — good for web surfing, reading and gaming. Or on the plane. It sounds nice, but it’s hard to envision that being worth $700-$1,000 to mainstream buyers.

So that’s the last detail we are all waiting for with the tablet — the price. We have an idea about what it looks like, how we might type on it, what media will be available for it, but we’re still not sure about how it’s going to be marketed or how much it’s going to cost.

Who is this thing for? Apple tells us on Wednesday. If it gets it right, then it has a success. If it gets it wrong, it joins the list of failed tablet devices

.Posted via email from practice (redux)

According to this piece in the Silicon Valley Insider, the iPhone only picked up 5,000 subscribers in its first weekend on sale in China. China Unicom says it’s pleased with the launch of the iPhone however. Reuters reports that the phone should add revenue in the 4^th Quarter for China Unicom (China’s #2 carrier). Of course compared to the rip roaring success that Apple is used to, this was an underwhelming weekend. But consider that the iPhone gets no WiFi in China an can retail for as mcuh as $1,025 unless it is bought with a phone contract, in which it can also be free.

Happy Birthday Clio

What do you get the legal SaaS company that has everything? More features of course.  Clio burst onto the scene at 2008’s ABA TechShow and hasn’t stopped since. In fact by the looks of things the race to add features is in full swing. Here’s a brief review of the Clio that was and is. Not enough Clio for you? Check out our 2009 TechShow report, complete with interviews with principals Jack Newton and Rian Gavreau. Keep up the good work guys.