Still not sure about tablets?

A couple of months ago, we blogged about some of the reasons for purchasing a tablet device, yet there still seems to be the question hanging around "But....WHY?"

Yes, many of our customers have adopted the new technology, but are still wondering why when they already have a smartphone and a desktop computer. Let's put it in simple, yet effective terms:

It's an extension of your smartphone. It is designed to complement the device you use and to enhance the smartphone experience, whether business or personal.

• Your smartphone is your mobile device that keeps you connected while on the go, for business or for personal use
• Your tablet is your convenient device; perfect for those sunny afternoons on the deck or in your back yard, when you need to reply to emails, update some documents, listen to music, or browse the internet
• Your computer is the one that you turn to for the heavier duty items, such as creating large presentations, compiling information, documents, larger downloads, or for simply typing large amounts of text

Your new tablet is designed to work between your smartphone and your computer. It's almost like your personal liaison, and with data sharing plans now available for all Rogers customers, you can ensure that you are getting the most for your money and that you are able to enjoy the latest devices for the best price. You can have one data plan for all of your wireless devices so nothing goes to waste and you are always connected.

With more tablets joining the market all the time, you are bound to find the one that works best for your needs and with the smartphone you currently own. Whether it's the BlackBerry Playbook, the LG Optimus, or the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Rogers has all of your tablet needs covered.

Why a tablet?

Whether you are a business owner, or employee, staying connected and efficient are two of the most important things to you. 

Q2 has seen an influx of tablet devices designed to help with those two factors, yet many people wonder if a tablet is right for them. Here is some food for thought:

• Respond to emails, browse the Internet, and use your applications from a widescreen device that fits easily in a pocket or purse
• Conduct customer presentations using quality images on a high-definition screen; a lightweight alternative to laptops and projectors
• Provide one-on-one support to your sales teams with real time demonstrations and product information right from the device
• Replace paper products and be more environmentally friendly as a result, with a device that is both versatile and reusable
• Benefit from the same security you are used to with your SmartPhone, essentially creating an extension of the device you always carry with you
• And still have time to relax when you are away from the office by enjoying music, pictures and videos with the built-in media and storage

In addition to all the awesome qualities of a tablet device, you can easily add one to your existing account with a Data Share Plan starting at just $10 / device / month. No need to worry about data that you haven't used - your tablet can make full use of your existing data plan.

Canada Gets the iPad2 on March 25

We all knew it was inevitable, with the launch of various tablet devices over the past six months, there was no way that Apple was going to be left behind (despite being the innovator for the product).


Yesterday, Apple announced that the iPad2 will be coming to Canada on March 25, and promises to be yet another marvel from the electronics giant. Some of the new features include:

• Two cameras (front and rear-facing) for FaceTime users
• HD video recording
• Dual core chip
• 9.7inch high-resolution screen
• Pre-loaded with iOS4
• Updates to existing features, such as the accelerometer, gyro-scope and compass, now work smoothly together
• Video-mirroring allows the iPad 2 to plug into your projector or HDTV for full-screen cinematic viewing and sharing
• 33% thinner and almost 15% lighter than the original iPad
• Maintains the same 10-hour battery life

And in order to keep your iPad2 looking brand new, Apple has also introduced the iPad Smart Cover, available in a range of colours to completely personalize the newest addition to your Apple collection.

As soon as this is available in Canada, Rogers will ensure that the existing iPad plans are available for users wishing to move to the new device. And the new Data Share Plans are expanding to include iPad2 as well.

iPad Alternatives Are Becoming More Popular

With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, there is the expectation that more corporate users are going to demand it for their mobile internet needs. With the move away from paper and bulky laptops, tablets such as the Galaxy are likely to be popular with hospitals, doctors, and other business folk that have, until now, had to deal with endless paperwork.


The wait for the BlackBerry Playbook has also created an interest in these kinds of users, and functions such as HD capabilities, front and rear facing cameras, and the ability to tether with a BlackBerry device, such as the Torch, are tempting customers away from the ever-popular Apple iPad.


The Samsung Galaxy Tab is the first tablet device to allow full Flash performance, and with it's super high resolution AMOLED screen, the user experience is extremely impressive.


Until now, the Apple iPad has commanded tablet sales  with a 95% share of the market, but other manufacturers are jumping on the tablet bandwagon, with products set to emerge from Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Lenovo and Acer in the near future.


Companies that have so far focused their sales on standard PC's and laptops are looking to reduce their sales forecasts for these types of products in anticipation of cannibalization by the tablet market. Although the growth forecasts aren't changing dramatically, it is still evidence that customer preferences are moving to items that make their daily lives more efficient, and mean that they don't have to carry around such large devices to stay connected.


Most pricing is set to stay around the levels that Apple has set with its iPad, which suggests that customers are quite happy to pay between $299 and $699 for a new tablet.


This is definitely going to be an interesting market to watch over the Christmas season, and well into 2011. New competitors, new products - all very exciting!

Does Apple's iPad Face Some New Competition?

Originally posted October 1, 2010

Samsung and BlackBerry recently announced their new tablet devices. Are these possible contenders to the Apple iPad?

Samsung Galaxy Tab

• Launches at the end of November on Rogers Wireless
• 7-inch screen
• Runs Android 2.2
• Cortex A8 1 GHz processor
• 3-megapixel camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chatting
• Access to the Android Market (alternative to Apple's iTunes store)
• Support for Adobe Flash 10.1
• Wi-Fi
• It also seems that Samsung is positioning the tablet as a voice device

There is still no word on pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but industry experts feel it would be wise for Samsung to position this device as a competitor to the iPad, and so ensure that pricing is placed lower.

BlackBerry Playbook

• Full Adobe® Flash® 10.1 enabled
• Built-in support for HTML 5  
• 7" LCD display, 1024 x 600 screen resolution
• 1GHz dual core processor; 1GB RAM
• Built-in microUSB connector
• Multi-touch capacitive screen
• Wi-Fi
• On-screen keyboard
• True multi-tasking
• 3MP hi-def forward-facing camera; 5MP hi-def rear-facing camera
• 1080P HD video
• Ability to pair with BlackBerry Smartphone

No word on the launch date for this device, but be sure to take a look on BlackBerry's website for a sneak video (http://na.blackberry.com/eng/).