Date: 20/12/2010

The innovation tracks of smart phone and notebook converged as tablet computers

The formfactor, increasing processor performance, and wireless broadband such as 4G all are the key attributes changing the innovation tracks of smart phone and notebook design to converge them into single line of Tablet computer design. Still the user, maker, and designer confused about the right choice and mix of technologies, but the confusion is soon to go due to wide acceptance of tablet computer formfactor. It's a learning curve for everybody.

The world's biggest chipmaker Intel and biggest software vendor Microsoft still not sure and are late in entering this market. The early birds like Apple and Samsung pinning more hope on their early entry strengths. Here the timing matters a lot. If you miss the bus catching up is difficult. For big companies who thrive on innovation, low-cost offering is not an option. It takes lot of exponential effort to enter these markets at later stage. Nokia is already experiencing this.

The cloud computing factor which still not emerged fully can be an opportunity for late entrants and also the home entertainment factor to little extent.
The convergence is happening now at faster pace than ever resulting in the booming of the tablet computer market. Tracking this change itself is challenging even to the tech media professionals like us.

For the semiconductor and embedded system professional the key things to watch are embedded OSs such as Android, HD content tech (3D later, not immediate), picoprojector, cloud computing, wireless (All: 4G/3G, WiMAX, WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth), DLNA, MOCA, Zigbee, Fast Ethernet, HDMI, windows office innovations or any such application software, Muti-core, Embedded Software automation, machine human interface tech such as MEMS and touch, device UI (Even illiterates can surf the device without limitations) and solar to power the unit anywhere, and most important security protection as well as applications including transactions, banking public system access. We will provide content channel for all the major technologies driving the market requirements on EE Herald (www.eeherald.com) in year 2011.

There is lot of common sense involved more than statistics and market surveys, 2011 is going to be market opportunity creating year, so keep your senses sharp.

The must thing is to keep the design ready to jump into the market as opportunity door opens, its more of a software and architecture preparation rather than silicon. It's not much about 22nm strength its all about the value (customer) meter strength.

Be well prepared to dive into deep ocean of innovation to be back to the shore with pearls and gems.