What RIAs should make of Blackberry CEO's prediction that iPad-like tablets will be dead in five years

Blackberry’s CEO prediction on tablets has inspired us to launch a puzzle in our iOS crossword game, Crickler.

The “Worst Tech Predictions EVER” puzzle features Blackberry’s CEO’s Thorsten Heins’ claim that “In five years I don’t think there’ll be a reason to have a tablet anymore” and other infamous tech predictions from the past. Notable examples include Michael Dell’s 1997 suggestion that Apple Computer shut down and return their money to shareholders, Sir. Alan Sugar’s claim that the iPod would be dead by 2005.

Link: http://appmodo.com/76534/blackberry-ceos-prediction-inspires-new-puzzle-in-ios-game-crickler/

Hi William,

It certainly has the potential to be one of the worst ever. Do you see a breakdown in the Thorsten Heins reasoning?

thanks,

Brooke

Education. Tablets are starting to replace books in the classroom.

Gaming. Already a major segment. For 'board-like’ games, nearly perfect UI.

Ah. Good thoughts.

Absolutely agree that mobile computing devices have revolutionized the way we learn just like the codex did for the scroll. And things are changing rapidly, take LeapMotion as an example which promises to change the way we interact with desktop computing. Exciting technology times to be an RIA.

Pete

I know he’s still fairly new on the job, but a Blackberry CEO predicting ANYTHING 5 years out is just funny. Read anything the company said in 2007 (or 2008…or 2009…or 2010…or 2011…) about their results and the competitive landscape ONE year out, much less five. Steve Ballmer’s comments about the iPhone in 2007 are pretty high up the list of worst tech predictions ever, too.

Brooke,

Just an update on this prediction from a personal perspective. While I may not be the average user (30 years of computing devices and counting…) but I own 4 tab/phab device types on two platforms; iphone/ipad and galaxy/note. I like my ipad a lot, however if I am using a mobile device for business use 90% of it is on my phablet not my ipad. And the moment Samsung builds a professional docking station with flash store and forward storage and hi-def flat screen I will be all over that purchase.

As far as either platform seriously ending the need for laptops anytime soon I doubt it. Apps are bugging and undependable for real work and not everyone buys into “let’s do everything in the cloud” as with Google’s so-called replacement for lame Microsoft Office.

Anyway I digress. The point is that smallish devices with good screen realestate that are quasi-pocket-sized are very useful/powerful for business users. And the difference a few mm’s make is exponential. The difference between an iPhone 5 vs Galaxy Note II is night and day for business applications.

So will the tablet die? Probably not, just like we just can’t seem to kill the desktop:) However, I see the tablet as a catalyst to make the phablet better.

Pete

Pete Giza
VP Business Development | WeathSite Inc. | www.wealthsite.com