Tablet PCs are the technology of 2010-2011
From development to outbreak, what can we learn from this phenomenon?
(Source: Wikipedia)

When Microsoft started pushing the idea of the “tablet PC” back in 2002, early implementations were just PCs with touch control and handwriting capabilities. But because of the immaturity of touch control technology many challenges surfaced, such as system inability to recognize hand-written input, so at that time tablet PCs were stillborn. Then, in November 2007, Apple released the iPhone in retail stores all across America, and in the following year released the iPhone 3G, which effectively swept away the dark shadow that Microsoft’s domination of Apple had cast. Apple’s new operating system coupled with in-house mobile phone and touchscreen hardware quickly took the world by storm and achieved a new milestone in touch control technology.

Apple is the current market leader in touch-control devices at present, however, Microsoft does not seem too willing to spend too much time thinking about this market, and their strategy differs greatly from Apple’s. When Steve Jobs revealed the iPad 2, he predicted the coming of the “post-PC” era, assuming that the iPad would render the PC and notebook obsolete. However, Microsoft begs to differ and believes the iPad is just an extension of the PC platform, the only difference being the form of the device. Microsoft is basically correct; computers coming out today are made of the same basic components as before, they’re just faster and shaped differently, however the original essence is the same, so there’s no grounds for discussing the end of the PC. Microsoft’s current strategy is to promote their motion controlled XBOX 360 peripheral, Kinect, showing they hope to move away from panel touch control and challenge Apple and their touch technology in a different way.

As for Google, their strategy has an emphasis on using web-based technology to break into the system and cell phone market from a different angle. In 2008, Google introduced the cloud computing concept and caused a stir. Actually, cloud computing and internet computing are one and the same, but because most people at that time did not understand this concept, Google introduced it as a new technology and even established a related industry, however, from its inception the Internet computed was cloud computing. Nowadays, discussion of “cloud” is diminishing because everyone is “on the cloud”, they just don’t know they are.

Google is a unique company that is constantly transforming; the left hand works to develop server-based operating systems to compete against MS, while the right builds Android OS in direct competition with Apple and Blackberry. Google has surpassed Apple and Blackberry in US mobile phone market share, primarily because of their emphasis on openness of technology and code. Google is willing to release their code to other hardware companies to allow these companies to use its technology to make adjustments to overcome hardware non-compatibility problems. Although the software can’t be completely matched with hardware, hardware companies are able to make adjustments to overcome problems when needed, and this is Google’s biggest advantage. Also, with their deep roots in web applications, Google is able to compete against Apple and Microsoft at relatively low cost and by making timely adjustments. 

In the Asian market today, IT companies in countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and China are primarily contract manufacturers that rarely conduct R&D on their own. Research is conducted solely on existing technologies, however, when discussing technology in Asia, one must not overlook Japan’s contribution. In July 2009, the New York Times reported that Japanese mobile phones could access the Internet, send and receive email, act as a credit card or public transit pass, as well as calculate an individual’s BMI. But in cities like Chicago and London, one rarely sees people carrying Panasonic, Sharp, or NEC branded phones from Japan. Gerhard Fasol, CEO of IT consulting company, Eurotechnology, once said, “Japanese mobile phone innovation is years ahead of the pack, but they have failed to expand to the overseas market.” The Japanese have given this specific problem a name, the Galapagos Syndrome. Keio University Professor Takeshi Natsuno explains, Japanese mobile phones are like the organisms on the Galapagos Islands; they have their own unique evolutionary style, which is different from that of the mainland. Simply put, a lot of Japanese technologies are unique to Japan, so when IT engineers work with Japanese technology they are often forced to look for unique Japanese software to get the devices to function. For example, the development of the 2G network was long abandoned by most countries, but Japan continued to develop their own unique 2G network. Of course, Japanese citizens are aware of this syndrome and are actively thinking about how to market their innovative new technology to other parts of the world. In February 2011, Nintendo released the bare 3D 3DS, with all 4 million devices snapped up worldwide on its first day. The 3DS uses 3D technology on a small panel. With this as the foundation well-known manufacturers in Japan intend to apply bare 3D in cell phones and compete with Apple’s iPhone. The Japanese feel that the reason for the Galapagos Syndrome is their overemphasis on hardware development, and neglect of software. Not to mention their products often can’t be upgraded to keep up with PCs. This is basically the separate development of phones and PCs, another result of the Galapagos Syndrome. Of course, Apple isn’t resting on its laurels and, at the end of 2010, Apple announced that the iPhone 5 will feature image projection technology, showing that a bloody war can be expected in the area of image forming technology.

In the digital field, things that are long separated often come together, and those that are long adjoined must later become disconnected. Enemies that stand on opposing mountains today may become unified partners by tomorrow. That which is neglected today, may be the shining star tomorrow; this is the nature of all things digital. Innovative technology will not necessarily become a success, but without innovation the digital world will surely be rendered obsolete.