14 DAY TRIAL // Each time a new device emerges and proves to be growing fast as a market, talks arise regarding whether or not it can become the epicenter of convergence, and the latest candidate has now become the tablet.
"The definition of convergence has changed over time, with the latest version describing it as voice, video and data services being delivered to the home via broadband networks and the new services that would result from this confluence," said William Kidd, director and principal analyst, financial services for iSuppli.
"While that trend still exists, the convergence of consumer electronics devices and industries are now coming together at a fast pace, with the tablet form factor serving a tangible representation of that convergence, since it is part smart phone and part notebook," he added.
Basically, by convergence, one means the merging of consumer, computer and communications within a single product.
Tablets seem to combine elements of everything from cellphones to PCs while also providing more than enough of a reason for mobile operating systems (OS) to evolve and adapt.
iSupply thinks that mobile operating system providers will even start to add TV functionality over time.
Slates are also said to be quite poised to reshape the computer market as well, especially from 2012 onwards, by which time they will have begun to integrate content creation capabilities similar to those of notebooks.
"Companies in the electronics value chain increasingly must face the reality that the rise of the mobile OS means distinct product categories now are blurring together," Kidd said.
"For example, note the similarity both in external functionality and internal electronics between Apple's tablet, smartphone, digital music player and set top box product lines. Not only do they run the same OS, but all these Apple devices are internally similar, plus or minus a screen and touch interface,” he explains.
“Industries likely to face the impact of convergence through the proliferation of mobile OSes include televisions, cell phones and notebook PCs," the iSupply director and principal analyst concluded.