Tablet computers are not what they used to be

Aug 1, 2015 12:41 GMT  ·  By

A few years ago, we couldn't stop talking about tablets and device manufacturers launched new models at the speed of light. But that's all behind us now, as consumers have slowly started losing interest in tablets.

According to the latest numbers provided by research firm IDC, in the second quarter of 2015, Apple and Samsung lost four points of market share to the rest of the tablet makers. Overall, 44.7 million tablets shipped worldwide, which constitutes a decrease of 7% (or 3.3 million) from the second quarter of the previous year.

Some of the reasons behind the accentuated downfall include the fact that larger-screened handsets are cannibalizing tablet sales, and unlike the case of smartphones, tablet owners don’t really see the need to upgrade to a new slate every year.

IDC numbers showing tablet decline
IDC numbers showing tablet decline

Tablets are just flat out boring

However, apart from phablets providing all the features that mobile users actually need, there’s another important aspect to consider when it comes to slates - the lack of innovation.

Tablet makers today are just using the same old blueprints, adding newer specs under the hood, and voila, they have a new tablet model. But things can’t work like this forever.

It seems like the days of innovations are over in the tablet world. There’s simply nothing that can literally surprise us now. How about a tablet with a huge 12.9-inch display? Samsung has already done that. Or one that’s waterproof? Sony offers plenty of models in this category. Or maybe you’d like a tablet that can sit on its own? Lenovo’s Yoga bunch is just what you need in this case.

Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet 2 Pro was a bit of an oddball when it got launched last year. The device offers a huge 13.3-inch display and bundles a pico-projector, a feature that we haven’t seen in any other tablet. Still, it doesn’t seem users have been stepping over themselves to acquire it.

Nevertheless, newer form factors like 2-in-1s and convertible computers might have a chance to fight the decline. These are devices that can be used either in tablet or laptop mode, so they tend to offer more flexibility.

Even so, we don’t see much innovation happening in this sector either. ASUS wanted to roll out a dual-boot laptop/tablet hybrid that could switch between Android and Windows, but its attempt was smothered in the cradle.

Can a new form factor save the decline?

As we said above, the tablet market currently offers everything we could desire and doesn’t leave us wanting. There are tablets of all sizes that appeal to almost everyone (even of the 40-inch variety, if you’re into really huge stuff) and they all do pretty much what all the models do.

Hardware is constantly being upgraded, which is a good thing, but not something you wouldn’t expect. There are thin and light tablets, tablets with big battery life, so there’s no room for them to expand, as far as hardware is concerned.

As for form, we already said that the 2-in-1 format doesn’t seem to be advancing anywhere else. However, there have been rumors indicating a possible flexible tablet, one which could be folded in two to become more portable.

A foldable tablet could save it all
A foldable tablet could save it all
A bendable tablet like that would surely attract the attention of many, but the question remains whether it would amount to something more than a mere curiosity. After all, LG’s curved G Flex and G Flex 2 didn’t exactly break any selling records.

What do you think? Can you imagine tablets being just a mere memory in a few years?

Tablets are not getting much attention these days (3 Images)

Tablets are getting outdated
IDC numbers showing tablet declineA foldable tablet could save it all
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