Android™ Tablet Application Development For Dummies®

Seeing How Tablets Have Evolved

The term “tablet” isn't new: It's been around for decades. Unfortunately, not one manufacturer and operating system (OS) provider has nailed the implementation enough to make a large splash in the computing market. Tablets were introduced as smaller computers with computer OSes, such as Windows XP, Vista, and 7. These devices resembled laptops, but the screens sometimes swiveled, allowing them to fold backward and sit atop the keyboard, simulating a tablet that you'd write on.

At first, most tablets were controlled via a physical pen interface. Users eventually wanted the ability to use these tablets as computers and usually just opened up the keyboard and performed the functions they needed to perform with the keyboard open. In the end, the user didn't use the tablet as it was designed (for the most part). Implementations changed, designs changed, and new innovations occurred in this space. Unfortunately, though, none of these implementations caught on, mainly becauseusers wanted to use these devices as laptops, not tablets.

Fast-forward to June 2007 when the first iPhone was released and a new generation of phone was born. Android quickly came to market and began to dominate market share. Phone devices have consumed the mobile market and just recently the same market has been infused with a new contender — the redesigned tablet.

Apple introduced the iPad in early 2010, creating uproar in the mobile device market by introducing a tablet with a form ...