The iPad revolutionized the tablet computer and has begun a new era of mobile devices. A decade ago, most people used a desktop computer to browse the web, use applications such as word, or to email and instant message people. By the mid-2000s, a noticeable shift had began, with laptop computers starting to outsell desktops[1]. During the same time, when laptops began to take over desktops, Apple released the first iPhone and shortly after launched its App Store. Although the iPhone was too small to be used as a computer, this was a significant step towards developing a tablet that would rival laptops. Now we have the iPad, and a vast array of Android tablets, including Amazon’s Kindle Fire. Developers will have to adapt to these changes that are taking place, and begin focusing more resources on mobile devices.
Apple continues to lead the industry with the iPad, while Google continues to improve Android. In addition, Amazon’s Kindle Fire is a very capable device for the price. The competition from the three companies will lead to a decade of innovations for mobile devices and for the computer industry overall. With such rapid development cycles for iOS and Android, developers have to constantly be aware of new releases, in order to make sure that their applications work properly with each update. This means that the development of any mobile application never ceases; developers must be aware that with any major update of an OS, an application has to be thoroughly checked and updated as needed. The current rivalry between Apple and Google will lead to a healthy competition between both companies, but it will also increase competition between developers, in which the ones that excel will stand out.
Two decades ago, people did not have a choice of operating system for their computers. During the 90′s, Microsoft’s Windows virtually had no competition; if you disliked Windows, you had no alternative, since Mac was incompatible with many applications. The lack of competition during that era led to people buying a PC with Windows because they had to, not because they wanted to. During the decade of the 90′s, developers had no incentive to develop applications for operating systems other than Windows. Today, the competition between Apple, Google, and Amazon will lead to many innovative features this decade, and rapid improvements to their respective operating systems. Apple will continue to be innovative to keep Google and Amazon from catching up, while Google and Amazon will continue to innovate with the hopes of someday catching up to Apple. This also means that developers have to be very innovative themselves. Smaller companies may not be able to lure very good, innovative developers, but they can outsource to companies that do have such developers.
As consumer demand leads to tablets taking over laptops, more developers will also begin to focus on tablets, which may not necessarily be a good thing for those looking to outsource. Tablets will not completely kill off the market for laptops, but laptops will go the way of desktops within this decade. By 2014, 180 million tablets are expected to be sold worldwide, 40 million short of the 220 million laptops expected to be sold the same year.[2] Before the end of the decade, tablets will overtake laptops as consumers’ favorite type of computer. This rapid change in consumer demand means that developers have to rapidly begin focusing on mobile devices instead of laptops and PC’s. Experienced iOS and Android developers will be in greater demand with each passing year. This can lead to the creation of new outsourcing companies that focus on iOS and Android, but not necessarily good outsourcing companies. The demand for tablets may perhaps outpace the speed in which good iOS and Android developers can develop apps for these devices.
Developers will have to keep up with demand and develop good and innovative apps that the public wants. Nonetheless, this rapid change in consumer demands may also cause a disaster for those looking to outsource; the vetting process to separate good outsourcing companies from those that are mediocre at best, will get more difficult as demand increases. Some companies will hire inexperienced developers to be able to make a quick buck. However, if a company or person has already found a good outsourcing company that they are satisfied with, they should stick with them for future projects; it will prevent future headaches and result in a better application, since both companies will be aware of what they want from each other. Ultimately, the rapid changes in consumer demand will work out for the best; from the consumer side, tablets are much more mobile than a laptop, more energy efficient, and much easier to use. From a developers perspective, the demand for tablets will mean that they will be in greater demand, which means that good developers and good outsourcing companies will have a bright future.
[1]http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/03/technology/03TBRF1.html?ex=1118030400&en=cb60405e864fa27a&ei=5070
[2] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380162,00.asp#fbid=wLYH8nU8gw9
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