Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT

The iPad - How Will 'it' Affect IT?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 by Matt Hymel

The big Apple presentation gave us a new product, the iPad, and arguably a new era of technology. With the idea of handheld internet devices and laptops taking over our lives, Apple has proposed their new device as not only a cross between the two but better -- better hardware, better access, better everything. This is how they have positioned their product, but how will product shape the IT world?

These are some announcements from the show - let's talk a look:

Apple has entered the microprocessor industry by creating their custom Apple A4 processor for the iPad. What does this mean? For the moment, it's trivial. The fact that Apple has stepped into the business is the only news, as the Snapdragon processor is also at 1 GHz for smartphones and netbooks.

Apple tablet open to the iBooks store. Digital content takeover continues, but this time Apple is attempting to revive an otherwise dying industry. Print was losing its grip over the technology-savvy consumer, and it seemed destined to be obsolete completely. As we've seen with the introduction of eBook readers like the Kindle, consumers (and businesses) need a way to access mass media content. The only new step here is that Apple has the business relationships established and a beautiful interface to boot.

Apple tablet positioned as a "new product category." To say the 'ebook reader' or a 'tablet' computer was born today would be a lie. The fact that Apple has entered the tablet market is big news, but from a consumer or business mindset, what will this piece of hardware do for my personal use or the development and growth of my business? How can information be consumed in an altered way compared to their current products, iPhones and Macbooks? For that matter, is Apple even considering the possibilities of enterprise use?

With every new Apple product there is an anticipation, unveiling, and massive reaction. As the dust settles the biggest question, from an IT perspective, is: Will the new tablet technology affect the other information resources like desktops, laptops, and netbooks, or will it strike a new chord in terms of content retrieval and interaction?

For more information, hit the links below:

Gizmodo.com

Engadget.com

Until next time -

Matt Hymel

Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support & Consulting
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