Is a Smartphone/Tablet Hybrid Device Commercially Viable?
The “Dell Streak,” the first-ever smartphone/tablet hybrid device, was introduced by Dell in June 2010. The company now offers two versions of this Android-based unit – one with a five-inch touchscreen and one with a seven-inch touchscreen. The Streak was given mixed reviews upon its introduction, and it has not been commercially successful.
To some critics, these smartphone/tablet hybrids represented a great concept that was brought to fruition by successfully merging the communication features and portability of a smartphone with the features and larger screen of a tablet device. Other critics, far less impressed by the Streak, denounced the device for its high price and awkward size. Despite the unfavorable reviews, the Dell Streak was essential in introducing smartphone/tablet hybrids to the public, and companies that release similar devices in the future will probably be more successful.
Because of the Streak’s lack of success, critics are now wondering whether tablet-type display and smartphone-type portability can be integrated into one device successfully. Many industry experts would say the idea behind the Streak was good but Dell’s execution of that idea was lackluster at best. In other words, the way the two types of devices were integrated was the reason for its poor sales. Apparently ASUS agrees and sees the potential of smartphone/tablet hybrids, because it is developing its own device.
No official release date has been set yet, but ASUS has announced their smartphone/tablet hybrid to be called the “PadFone.” Anticipation for its release is building however, as more information about the PadFone is becoming available. According to ASUS, these smartphone/tablet hybrids will consist of two pieces – a smartphone powered by Android which can be docked onto a tablet. When docked, the tablet will power the phone unit and allow it to be used like a tablet. The phone and tablet units will share a SIM card and hard drive, and both pieces will feature dynamic display switching. The design of the PadFone, which has two separate pieces which can work alone or together, should result in a successful merger of smartphone and tablet technologies while avoiding criticism for an awkwardly-sized screen.
The Dell Streak illustrated what is and is not acceptable for the design of smartphone/tablet hybrids. Instead of interpreting the Streak’s lack of commercial success as a signal indicating there is no market for smartphone/tablet hybrids, ASUS determined that the Streak’s design was at fault, causing it to be trapped between phones and tablets. The two-piece design being developed by ASUS permits each unit to be used alone or in conjunction with each other. This versatile design should be an improvement on the Streak’s design and allow the world of smartphone/tablet hybrids to expand into more and more practical uses.
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