Tablets transforming the mobile marketplace

Not long ago, tablet computers were barely on the minds of businesses and consumers. Once perceived as a luxury gadget for niche users, the tablet is now changing the entire landscape of mobile computing.

According to Don Reisinger of eWeek, the increasingly powerful market influence held by tablets is the sum of many factors. Most importantly, the device serves the mobility demands of enterprises and consumers alike. Simple, fast connections allow business professionals to access and share a full range of relevant data and applications without having to haul around and set up their laptops in conference rooms and colleagues' offices. Media-rich presentation features also allow consumers to stream movies, read magazines and listen to playlists whenever and wherever they want.

Tablets are also cutting into the popularity of netbooks and laptops. By offering an optimal balance of portability and productivity, tablets are consistently making alternative devices obsolete.

As the technology has matured and taken hold in the marketplace, the tablet industry has become big business. As Reisinger notes, multi-billion dollar revenues have caught the attention of the world's leading technology brands and tablets are now forcing their way into an increasing amount of company product lines. Market forecasts from the International Data Corporation now predict 53.5 million tablets will be shipped by year's end.