Here are a couple questions I was asked today:
How easy is it to type on tablets?Typing on a tablet is typing on a touch screen. You one-finger or two-finger type. If you have something like my Iconia A500 you can attach a USB keyboard. You could also pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard for wireless typing. Using the touchscreen keyboard is definitely slower than a keyboard but faster than on a phone.
Does Skype work on them?
You can use Skype on Android tablets. See http://www.gadgetsbing.com/2010/11/skype-hits-on-android-tablet/ for some details. It's on iPad (http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=804071). Looks like not on Playbook (http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=813617).
E-mail, Skype, and Internet need to be speedy and secure, are they?
Security - the Playbook is potentially more secure but it requires pairing with a Blackberry phone I think. It's half-baked, but better than iPad and Android. Wireless security is good on all of them... assuming you connect over a secure wireless network with decent encryption. It doesn't matter which device you have, if you connect over an open wireless connection your transmissions can be intercepted and read.
I use a Sprint Overdrive 3g/4g hotspot in combination with my Iconia for on-the-go internet. If you get a tab with built-in broadband you wouldn't need to do that. I don't do any significant work on public wi-fi though for security reasons. If you stay of public wi-fi you're pretty safe.
Security options for business use of tablets are few at this point. The Microsoft tabs based on Windows 8 should be good but those won't be out for a while. The Playbook should be good for security but there's a whole lot of downside for the Playbook in my opinion.
Summary
This is a brand new form factor with several new software platforms. It's going to take it a while to mature to the point where a lot of businesses are comfortable depending on them. For limited use and if you're careful though I think they're ready now for those that want to be on the leading edge.
I use a Sprint Overdrive 3g/4g hotspot in combination with my Iconia for on-the-go internet. If you get a tab with built-in broadband you wouldn't need to do that. I don't do any significant work on public wi-fi though for security reasons. If you stay of public wi-fi you're pretty safe.
Security options for business use of tablets are few at this point. The Microsoft tabs based on Windows 8 should be good but those won't be out for a while. The Playbook should be good for security but there's a whole lot of downside for the Playbook in my opinion.
Summary
This is a brand new form factor with several new software platforms. It's going to take it a while to mature to the point where a lot of businesses are comfortable depending on them. For limited use and if you're careful though I think they're ready now for those that want to be on the leading edge.
