Convergence, Convenience, and the Tablet/Laptop TV

A few years ago, I took part in a qualitative research project set up to explore the future of home entertainment. The project—a global undertaking that took several months to complete—has been instrumental to my view of technology ever since. And it’s in this light that I’ve followed the launch of Apple’s new tablet computer: the iPad.

Designed for “internet browsing, media consumption, gaming, and light content creation,” the iPad has been described as plugging the casual-computing gap that has sprung up between smart phones and laptop computers. Put another way, it’s built for applications that benefit from a larger screen size but doesn’t necessarily require a full-blown keyboard.

Back when we did our research, we found casual computing to be closely aligned with what people considered to be “home entertainment.” Much more so, in fact, than the more traditional pass time of watching TV. And although TV programming was still an important feature in peoples lives, few thought it to be a passive experience limited to a wall-mounted TV set.

We conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups in several countries, and everywhere we found a need for “more convergence” and “more convenience.” Back then, I summed-up this sentiment by saying that “prime-time has become my-time.” And that, I think, is as relevant now as it was then, because it gets to the core of what iPad does and does not do.

The iPad is a revolutionary device. But it’s not a convergent device. If anything, it adds a third, mid-tier, platform with which to perform certain tasks. And this puts a severe dent in its ability to provide convenience. And while it’s true that Apple’s MobileMe platform can bring disparate devices closer together, I don’t think it’s enough to ensure long-term success for the iPad.

At the end of the day, therefore, I expect to see Apple’s three mobile-computing platforms (i.e., iPhone, iPad, MacBook) be reduced back to two. And I think the most likely scenario for this is a melding together of the iPad and the MacBook. But I also expect a new platform to be brought into the fold; namely that of live broadcast TV.

The way I’ve been thinking about this could, crudely, be described as two iPads stuck together to form a laptop-like device with a split (and flexible) widescreen, virtual keyboard(s), and cable-TV. A device equally well suited for the couch (tablet), a desk (laptop), a coffee table or wall (TV). Only then would we get a device that adapts itself to us, rather than the other way around.