Tablets filling the gap between computing and mobile

When modern smartphones first arrived on the scene in 2007, there was little question that they would be a success. Years later, when tablet computers hit the market, consumers were a little more skeptical.

However, tablets have since demonstrated their staying power and are now among the most sought-after new technologies by consumers and businesses alike.

According to Jonathan Carson, general manager of digital at market research firm Nielsen, much of the tablet's success is attributed to its ability to fill the gap between smartphones and traditional PCs.

Tech news provider ZDNet reports that Carson sees tablets as expanding on many of the capabilities of smartphones while also carving out their own niche. Through tablets, users are able to access the web and mobile applications much like they do with smartphones, but they are also given greater capabilities in terms of video and other media, making them just as similar to traditional PCs.

For many users, tablets also supplement the role of the e-reader, enabling users to access books, newspapers and other print media.

Though it appears tablets are here to stay, the technology hasn't reached its apex. According to research firm Gartner, the tablet market will continue to grow rapidly, reaching 326.3 million units sold in 2015.