I don't suppose my views will be popular here but I feel like I need some closure.
My occupation is very computer oriented. My first experience with Android was the Mooto Droid 1, now I carry a Droid 2. I use these for nearly everything, but it does have limitations. I also own a netbook, a Sager 7280 laptop, and my desktop workstation.
I thought tablets were a joke from the first time Apple mentioned the iPad. Never could understand what they are for or why anybody would want a crippled gigantic cellphone. Regardless, they have become one of the hottest tech items out there and I had to find out why. I really don't think I need one, but my curiosity would not let me rest so when the Xoom hit the shelves I bagged it for $800.
30 minutes later I walked into Borders with my bran new shiny Xoom in hand and got in line at the Cafe a cup of coffee. Feels awkward to stand there in line with this big metal/glass thing in one hand while trying to reach for a card out of the wallet.
Sat down and got online with the tablet for the first time. Past the first prompts and I'm at the desktop. The very first thing I notice is how heavy this thing is. The surface is slippery and there is not a lot of room to really have a good grip. I find that using a tablet is much like using a laptop as you hold it up in both hands. We have all tried that. Unless your holding it up, it's not very comfortable to use as it lays on the tabletop. A kickstand may go a long way here, or some sort of dock but I think going as far as carrying accessories kind of defeats the point of a tablet.
Typing was easier than I expected and I found that I was typing pretty quick without any learning curve. Once I was in "the zone" browsing my favorite sites and reading news I have to say it's a good experience. Feels intuitive, with the touch screen it's remarkably easy to navigate and makes for a unique and simpler browsing experience. Text, pictures, videos all come very natural on this device. Although, sometimes I wish videos would simply play as embedded in the page and not through the player app.
Eventually I was about done using it. I decided to go browse some books on the store shelves. With the tablet in one hand, my coffee in the other, and a book somewhere in between was a balancing act. The tablet is too big to put away anywhere, I can't fit it in a pocket and there is nothing to do with it. Just hold it.
I quickly realized that if I'm going to take this thing anywhere with me I have to plan ahead. I have to be certain a) I'm going to need it and b) have a plan for what to do with it when I'm done. Once it's with you, your stuck with it.
It reminded me of carrying a DSLR around. Amazing tool! However, you have to plan what to do with it and still frequently find yourself wishing you either had it or had left it behind.
Keeping that in mind, a tablet is no more convenient than just simply walking in with a netbook in the first place.
Once I came home I got it on my wifi, installed my remote desktop software and put it away. I found the remote desktop was very easy to use. Big plus here, something I often need access to especially when not at a desktop/laptop.
The next evening I'm cooking in the kitchen. I happened to have both tablet and phone on the corner of the tabletop. My occupation leaves me as always on call so I'm keeping up with emails as they come in. What I noticed is that every time the devices buzzed me with an event, I always reached for the cell phone first. In fact, I never touched the tablet. It was a lot easier to just use the smartphone.
It's my third day with it. The battery in this thing is amazing, I'm at 40% and I have not charged it once yet. In fact, the charger is still packaged in the bag.
I have a better understanding of the device in general but I'm still not sure what it's for.
I'm sure the tablet platform has it's place somewhere for the consumer. There is certainly room for the technology to improve too. However, there is no place for it in my daily routine. I'm not sure what I was expecting, I guess I got caught up in the excitement but I would be surprised if my experience is uncommon.
My occupation is very computer oriented. My first experience with Android was the Mooto Droid 1, now I carry a Droid 2. I use these for nearly everything, but it does have limitations. I also own a netbook, a Sager 7280 laptop, and my desktop workstation.
I thought tablets were a joke from the first time Apple mentioned the iPad. Never could understand what they are for or why anybody would want a crippled gigantic cellphone. Regardless, they have become one of the hottest tech items out there and I had to find out why. I really don't think I need one, but my curiosity would not let me rest so when the Xoom hit the shelves I bagged it for $800.
30 minutes later I walked into Borders with my bran new shiny Xoom in hand and got in line at the Cafe a cup of coffee. Feels awkward to stand there in line with this big metal/glass thing in one hand while trying to reach for a card out of the wallet.
Sat down and got online with the tablet for the first time. Past the first prompts and I'm at the desktop. The very first thing I notice is how heavy this thing is. The surface is slippery and there is not a lot of room to really have a good grip. I find that using a tablet is much like using a laptop as you hold it up in both hands. We have all tried that. Unless your holding it up, it's not very comfortable to use as it lays on the tabletop. A kickstand may go a long way here, or some sort of dock but I think going as far as carrying accessories kind of defeats the point of a tablet.
Typing was easier than I expected and I found that I was typing pretty quick without any learning curve. Once I was in "the zone" browsing my favorite sites and reading news I have to say it's a good experience. Feels intuitive, with the touch screen it's remarkably easy to navigate and makes for a unique and simpler browsing experience. Text, pictures, videos all come very natural on this device. Although, sometimes I wish videos would simply play as embedded in the page and not through the player app.
Eventually I was about done using it. I decided to go browse some books on the store shelves. With the tablet in one hand, my coffee in the other, and a book somewhere in between was a balancing act. The tablet is too big to put away anywhere, I can't fit it in a pocket and there is nothing to do with it. Just hold it.
I quickly realized that if I'm going to take this thing anywhere with me I have to plan ahead. I have to be certain a) I'm going to need it and b) have a plan for what to do with it when I'm done. Once it's with you, your stuck with it.
It reminded me of carrying a DSLR around. Amazing tool! However, you have to plan what to do with it and still frequently find yourself wishing you either had it or had left it behind.
Keeping that in mind, a tablet is no more convenient than just simply walking in with a netbook in the first place.
Once I came home I got it on my wifi, installed my remote desktop software and put it away. I found the remote desktop was very easy to use. Big plus here, something I often need access to especially when not at a desktop/laptop.
The next evening I'm cooking in the kitchen. I happened to have both tablet and phone on the corner of the tabletop. My occupation leaves me as always on call so I'm keeping up with emails as they come in. What I noticed is that every time the devices buzzed me with an event, I always reached for the cell phone first. In fact, I never touched the tablet. It was a lot easier to just use the smartphone.
It's my third day with it. The battery in this thing is amazing, I'm at 40% and I have not charged it once yet. In fact, the charger is still packaged in the bag.
I have a better understanding of the device in general but I'm still not sure what it's for.
I'm sure the tablet platform has it's place somewhere for the consumer. There is certainly room for the technology to improve too. However, there is no place for it in my daily routine. I'm not sure what I was expecting, I guess I got caught up in the excitement but I would be surprised if my experience is uncommon.
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