Is It IPad Or Something Else?

Tablets are becoming increasingly popular for both consumer and business use. Many marketers are asking which tablet is right for retail and other consumer-facing businesses. This paper explores this question in enough depth that potential deployers will understand which issues to weigh on the path to decision-making.

Tablet adoption is exceeding expectations. eMarketer projects 33.7 million Americans will use a tablet device at least monthly by the end of 2011, a rise of 158.6% over 2010, the launch year for the iPad. Their numbers account for both ownership and sharing of devices. Either way some 14.5 percent of internet users will have had their hands on a tablet going into 2012.

The deployment of tablets in retail and business settings could mirror consumer acceptance, with major department stores, some specialty retailers and luxury auto dealerships already trying to keep pace. The hospitality sectors are also testing ways to better serve customers with them.