What is the tablet and its functions. Tablet with the function of a cell phone, e-book

In the last five years there has been a new trend in the development of electronics. At the forefront of modern mobile devices with a wide range of functions and a multidisciplinary field of application. Based on the size of these gadgets, they can be roughly divided into two "camps": smartphones and tablets. Often, between the two types of devices, the only difference is in the screen size, while all other specifications and software can be identical.

Smartphone vs. tablet

The first type of device is used mainly as a phone for making calls and receiving SMS messages. But if you consider a tablet with a cell phone function, the difference between devices is almost erased. And then the only major advantages of smartphones in front of the tablets are light weight and small size, allowing them to easily fit into their pockets.

At the same time, a display with a larger diagonal and better resolution opens up wide prospects for the user. The larger the screen of the tablet device, the easier it is to work with images and adjust photos, watch movies and serials in good quality, it is much more pleasant to play games when it is possible to view all the nuances of quality graphics. Also do not forget that the tablet with the function of the electronic book is much preferable to the smartphone.

So there were stars

As many of you have already guessed, this article will talk about what features of the tablet make this type of gadget so popular. But first I would like to say a few words about its internal structure and configuration. Very many factors coincided that this device in its present view was born - the development of computer technology, mobile phones, a reduction in the energy consumption of components and the growth of battery capacity. We will try to consider what a tablet is, and its functions, too, will be described. We identify the main source of pricing and consider the perspective vectors of development for the coming years.

The tablet is an evolving laptop?

However strange it may sound, both tablets and smartphones are a logical evolution of a whole class of electronic computers. In order not to delve into the history of the term, we will make some analogy with the usual computers.

In the system unit with the help of the motherboard, a processor, memory cells, video, sound and network cards, sources of permanent memory and so on are integrated into a single system. With the development of microelectronics, some of them no longer needed to be added as separate components. There appeared controllers built directly into the chipsets of the motherboard, performing tasks with which previously connected separately connected cards. In most modern laptops, this is implemented in a way that significantly reduces the size of the devices.

With the appearance of screens that react to touch, laptops are transformed into tablet computers, but the first models were quite expensive. In parallel with this there was a complication of mobile phones, miniaturization of electronics allowed them to increase functionality without significant increase in weight and size. But a completely different architecture of the processor has spread computer and mobile equipment on different coasts.

Impact of the development of cell phones

The answer to the question about what a tablet is and what its functions are, is not so simple. It is worth noting that in addition to the development of computer technology, these gadgets have been greatly influenced by mobile phones.

Earlier models were able to handle only the direct functions of receiving / making calls and SMS messages. But the most close to modern analogues were cell phones, issued in the early 2000s. They have colored screens, high-quality sound and the first built-in cameras. Gradually, the integration of new technologies took place, closer to the end of zero received widespread distribution of pocket personal computers. Often, their functionality expanded due to the introduction of GPS-module, support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

New standards of communication have appeared, the speed of data transmission has increased , accordingly, there have appeared cellular, supporting 3G-connections. The growth of mobile Internet traffic has revealed the need to increase the screen for viewing mail and news feeds. But the only drawback was the inconvenient management and scattering of operating systems. Sometimes each device was supposed to have its own special axis with a limited set of built-in functions. And attempts to expand the scope of application through the installation of third-party programs sometimes encountered a conflict of settings and equipment.

Is the tablet a logical extension of the smartphone?

One of the answers to the request at that time was the first iPhone from Apple - convenient control of fingers on the capacitive screen, various options for functioning depending on the position of the device. There was no need for a keyboard, only a small number of function keys remained. All other management was solved by software through the implementation of multi-touch gestures on the screen, reacting to touch. These and many other advanced technologies were under the control of the proprietary operating system iOS. Naturally, iPhone quickly gained popularity, but again the cost problem arose.

Other manufacturers wanted to repeat this success. They lacked only a single platform, which makes it possible to realize all the potential inherent in the hardware.

Microsoft Corporation did not want to lose its leading position in the industry, and in the mobile segment promoted its operating system - Windows mobile.

But when Google released the Android OS, there was a qualitative leap in the budget segment of smartphones. This mobile operating system is distributed absolutely free of charge, the only thing left for manufacturers to do is to create firmware corresponding to the configuration of the equipment used in the device.

Thus, everything was ready for the appearance of the tablets, there was only the problem of energy consumption. Even now, the tablet loses to the smartphone in the duration of work on one battery charge when performing tasks of a similar class. The thing is that the increase in the display, respectively, led to a faster battery consumption.

Birth Tablet

Finally, in 2010, technological development reached the limit that allowed tablets to appear in their modern form of presentation. It was then that the concept was defined, along the path of development of which all current devices of this type are moving.

In the spring of 2010 came the 9-inch iPad from Apple. And already in the fall on his heels came Samsung tablets, whose functions were not inferior to the competitor at the expense of basing on the operating system "Android" version 2.2. In many ways, the first Galaxy Tab was interested in the fact that it was a tablet with a cell phone function, whereas at the first "apple" tablet this feature was cut out at the program level. Only the subsequent jailbreak allowed to unlock the reception of calls and SMS, and even then after installing the corresponding application.

Of course, these features are typical only for tablets that support 3G data transmission technology. While the models of both devices supporting only Wi-Fi were suitable for performing a similar class of tasks: watching video, listening to music, surfing the Internet, reading books, working with documents, passing exciting games.

In other respects the functions of the tablet Samsung were not inferior to those that had a gadget from Apple. Pragmatic application developers often duplicated their products for devices on different platforms, for example, the same games about evil birds and the like.

What is a tablet and its functions

We tried to understand what ideas formed the basis of modern tablets, on what technological basis they are based. If we sum up all of the above, then the tablet is the result of adapting the evolutionary achievements of hardware components with a wide implementation of the software part. As can be seen from the history of the development of technology, there has long been a demand for devices that operate on an "all in one" principle. And the affordable price for electronic stuffing and intuitively understandable interface between human and technology made tablets so common.

What defines gadget functions?

In all devices there is a mandatory hardware part, directly or indirectly responsible for the direct operation of the tablet, and additional modules that expand the scope of their application. The presence of the latter is rather a pleasant bonus than a vital necessity. But they have an important function of attracting customers, promising a multi-application device without any significant additional payment.

There is an obvious need for a processor, RAM and other systemically important equipment for the normal operation of the tablet. But here the GPS-module, which allows to use the device as a navigator, is not everywhere. There is a symbiosis in which the availability of a technical capability finds its application for the operation of such applications as navigators (Navitel or Yandex.Navigator), maps of the terrain (for example, from Google) or the combined function of the help system (2GIS).

Also, the slot for a SIM card of a mobile cellular operator in 3G UMTS or 4G LTE technology is not provided in all devices. But it depends on it, you have purchased a tablet with a call function or without it.

Other data transmission technologies are also of great importance. The ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi has become a practical basis. Part of this was facilitated by the distribution of free wireless access points in public places: cafes, restaurants, metro and parks.

Bluetooth at the present time is rarely used to directly transfer files between devices, only in extreme cases, when there is no wired connection to the computer or the ability to connect to wireless networks. But as a way to wirelessly connect headphones or a headset and bracelets of fitness trackers, it is very popular. And these are only the most common connectable devices. Sometimes it comes to exotic things like weights that transmit a smartphone or tablet information about how many people weigh.

Whether there is a flash in the camera or not, is responsible for whether it is possible to use the gadget as a flashlight.

And how is the tablet implemented with the e-book function? The main task is taken by the application. Some of them have already been installed by the hardware manufacturer along with the firmware, while others can be installed from the application store.

What depends on the type of OS

The mobile operating system depends on how many applications are available to you. Modern tablets are implemented on three platforms, at first glance they may be similar, but everywhere there are nuances that determine the differences and advantages. Let us consider them in more detail.

• Android, perhaps, is the most common. The number of applications "Market", extending the functions of the tablet "Android", just huge.
• IOS is also quite popular with mobile developers. But there is a natural limiter: Apple Store is designed only for "apple" devices.
• Windows RT in its architecture has nothing to do with the desktop operating system from Microsoft. The number of devices running on it is not so large, respectively, and developers are not so eager to transfer their programs to this platform.

Tablets now and in the future

We examined what a tablet is, and its functions are also left unattended. I would like to further characterize the current technological level of these gadgets, the peculiarities of their pricing, and outline the development trends.

To consider the first two moments, let's take the products of the Lenovo brand. At present, there is a conditional separation between tablets with a screen diagonal of the order of 6-8 inches and their large counterparts with a display of 9-11 inches.

If we talk about the first type of gadgets, they are basically designed for permanent wearing (as, for example, the Lenovo tablet). Functions, as usual, depend on the configuration of the equipment and the use of applications from the Android Market. It is possible to make calls both in the networks of the third generation of cellular communication, and through Skype. The latter are realized when connecting to the Internet through a mobile operator or wireless data transmission technology.

Check the mail, search for necessary information, listen to music, play games, work with text documents, read e-books, create and process photos and videos - all this can be done by owners of tablets. As a rule, in such devices there is no separate keyboard, only some function keys. The screen is enclosed in a frame for comfortable holding. The price, as a rule, is directly proportional to the size of the screen and the amount of built-in memory.

Plates with a larger matrix can be of two types, depending on the architecture of the processor used. The first, running on Android, do not differ from more miniature devices, except for the screen sizes, which dictates pricing.

Functions Lenovo tablet, running on full-fledged Windows, much more diverse, they find an even wider application. In fact, these are not exactly tablets, here is an analogy with netbooks that support work with displays with the touchscreen function. This is a very promising direction of development, in which the most advantageous combinations of mobile and computer equipment merge. This is a good solution for travel, when both size and functionality matter, but the price is commensurate with the average laptop. The configuration and cost of the preinstalled operating system affect the final price tag.

If you want to save money in the first place, you are usually advised to look at devices from mobile operators. They are interested in selling you a tablet at the lowest price, often even slightly below their own cost. Their benefit is that together with the gadget you sign a contract for the indication of communication services. Sometimes it is expressed in the fact that the subscriber's account is automatically replenished for the amount of the discount, this is how the mechanism for purchasing such a device as the Megafon tablet is implemented. Its functions are somewhat truncated, there is no camera, but the low price and stable communication with more than compensate for all the disadvantages. After installing the appropriate applications, its capabilities are significantly expanded.