TABLET PC’S

WHAT IS A TABLET PC?

A tablet PC is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touch screen  interface. The tablet form factor  is typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smartphone.

HISTORY OF TABLET PC

The first patent for an electronic tablet used for handwriting was granted in 1888.

 The first patent for a system that recognized handwritten characters by analyzing the handwriting motion was granted in 1915.

The first publicly demonstrated system using a tablet and handwriting text recognition instead of a keyboard for working with a modern digital computer dates to 1956.

In 1987 Apple Computer started its tablet project, which considered release of devices of three sizes, with the one eventually released in 1993, Apple Newton, being the smallest (yet it was quite substantial device with 6" screen and 800 grams of weight).

In 1994 media company Knight-Ridder made a concept video of a tablet device with a color display and a focus on media consumption. 

 The company didn't create it as a commercial product because of deficiencies of weight and energy consumption in display technology.

MICROSOFT TABLETS

In 1999, Microsoft attempted to re-institute the by-then decades-old tablet concept by assigning two well-known experts in the field, from Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, to the project

In 2000 Microsoft coined the term Microsoft Tablet PC for tablet PCs built to Microsoft's specification, and running a licensed specific tablet enhanced version of its Microsoft Windows OS.

Microsoft Tablet PCs were targeted to address business needs mainly as note-taking devices, and as rugged devices for field work. 

In the health care sector, tablet computers were intended for data capture – such as registering feedback on the patient experience at the bedside.

Tablet PCs failed to gain popularity in the consumer space because of unresolved problems.

The existing devices were too heavy to be held with one hand on extended periods, the specific software features designed to support usage as a tablet (such as finger and virtual keyboard support) were not present in all contexts, and there were not enough applications specific to the platform - legacy applications created for desktop interfaces made them not well adapted to the slate format.

APPLE IPAD

The tablet computer market was reinvigorated by Apple through the introduction of the iPad device in 2010

A Wi-Fi only model of the tablet was released in April 2010, and a WiFi+3G model was introduced about a month later, using a non-contract data plan from AT&T.

Since then, the iPad 2 has launched, bringing 3G support from both AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The iPad has been characterized by some as a tablet computer that mainly focuses on media consumption such as web browsing, email, photos, videos, and e-reading, even though full-featured, Microsoft Office-compatible software for word processing (Pages), spreadsheets (Numbers), and presentations (Keynote) were released alongside the initial model. 

NON-APPLE, POST PC TABLETS

Competitors to Apple's iPad in the market for tablet computers not based on the traditional PC architecture were the 5" Dell Streak, released in June 2010, and the original 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab, released in September 2010.

Hewlett-Packard announced its TouchPad based on the WebOS system in June 2011

For more tablet reviews click here

MID TABLET

Switching on the MID Tablet There is a power button on the top

surface of the table Press the power button, Tablet will switch

on Unlocking the Tablet

There is a lock icon that you will upon powering up the tablet

Press the icon and drag icon to the left The MID tablet will thus be unlocked

INTERFACE

HOME SCREEN The MID tablet has five home screens.

On the top centre of the screen you will see which screen you are in.

Moving in between the screens swipe your finger from left to right

motion or vice versa.

All home screens have a Google short cut on the top left of screen. This will enable you to quick access the Google home page so you can search anything of your choice.

The Microphone icon allows you search Google by speaking to the device. It is voice active. {insert image

On The Top right of the Screen You will see the App Launcher /Applications Icon and the + icon. Application’s icon (Apps), allows you to view and thus access all the applications that are installed on to your device.

The + icon allows you to arrange the applications to be inserted on different Home screens.

Inserting an application on a home screen click and drag an App icon to the chosen

home screen

Bottom of Every Home screen there is a Taskbar.

The Task bar includes a Back icon. It will help you move back previously visited screens.

Home Icon will allow you to browse back to the home screen from which ever window had been opened.

A View Opened Window icon will allow you to view all opened windows, i.e. all running applications.

The Menu Icon allows you to control the Mid Tablet by adjusting the settings, changing the wall paper etc.

Volume icons allow you to increase or decrease the Volume of the device.

Notication area, notifies you of incoming messages via email, social media that you have subscribed to etc. IT also showing you an icon representing the antivirus protecting you device. {insert image}

The System tray shows the time, battery levels and network connectivity.

THE MENU

Inserting a widget Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu button on top surface

of tablet labelled M. Tap the Add icon Tap widgets Tap on a widget of choice Chose the size of the widget Click OK

The WALLPAPER icon allows you to Insert wallpaper on your home screen.

Inserting a wall paper from the Wallpaper gallery Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu button on top

surface of tablet labelled M Tap wallpaper Choose the wallpaper gallery Choose the wallpaper by tapping it Then tap set wallpaper icon

Moving the Widget in the screen Press the widget till it vibrates Press and drag icon to a place of your

choice on screen. Deleting a widget

Press Widget till it Vibrates Press and drag to the trash top Centre of

the screen

The SEARCH icon allows you to search the Net for Information.

Searching Using the Search icon on the menu icon Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu

button on top surface of tablet labelled M Tap the Search icon. (Google search text

box appears) Type the keyword of your search Tap on the Search arrow

The Manage Applications icons is like Task Manager on A windows System. It allows you to view running applications, force stopping running applications, uninstall updates etc.

The Settings icon allows you to change the devices system time, date network connectivity etc.

Changing Date and Time Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu button on top

surface of tablet labelled M Tap settings Scroll down to Date & Time and Tap the menu (Ensure the Check box under the menu Automatic is

checked off) Tap Set Date, then set your date Tap Select Time Zone then choose the Time Zone Tap Set Time, then set time Choose whether you want a 24 Hour time format or not

by checking or un checking the Checkbox. Tap the Select Date format, then select the date format

as you choose.

Launcher Settings helps you manage how your device opens and close widgets etc. It also allows you to back up and Restore data in your device.

CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET

Its important to note that the tablet can work on its own independently from the internet connection, e.g. when working with office documents, watching movies, playing music etc.

But Internet connectivity enhances the use of the Tablet Pc. Its therefore essential to be able to connect the Tablet to the internet

There are two ways to connect the Tablet to the Internet. Using the 3G Dongle/Modem or Wi-Fi.

Connecting Using 3G modem Connect your USB Modem on the USB port Wait till you see a network Icon on the Taskbar

{insert image} Once the Network icon shows a green colour,

you must know that there is internet connection.

Click on your preferred browser to access the internet.

Connecting using Wi-Fi Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu button on top

surface of tablet labelled M Tap the Settings Icon Tap Wireless & Networks menu Ensure that the Wi-Fi check box is checked Tap Wi-Fi Settings Tap Add Wi-Fi Network Add the SSID, Security type, password of the Network

when required. Once accepted, you will see the Wireless icon on the

taskbar with a green colour. Under the Network settings the name of the network will be shown as connected.

NOTE: Its very important that you note that the MID Tablet can also serve as a Wi-Fi Hotspot. That means that other devices will connect to a network/internet using the Tablet as a wireless connection point. To achieve this under the Wireless & Network settings tap the Portable Hotspot sub menu option.

APPLICATIONS

The Tablet pc is as good as the Applications it has, or can have and thus can run. The MID Tablet comes with some Applications pre installed with the Android OS.

To check which Version Of Android you are using in your Tablet follow these steps:

Viewing Tablet Information. Tap the menu icon on taskbar or Menu button on

top surface of tablet labelled M Tap the settings menu Scroll down to tap About MID

Accessing Applications On the Home screen, tap the App Launcher

icon/App icon on the Top right of screen Under the ALL tab, you will see all the

Applications installed in the tablet Under the My Apps, you will see all the

Applications that you have downloaded from the Internet

Running an Application On the Home screen, tap the App Launcher

icon/App icon on the Top right of screen Tap an Application of choice to run.

GOOGLE

It was built essentially as a search Engine. But lately it is bigger, much broader than that.

For more info about the Company Please click here OR visit the Following site: http://www.google.com/about/company/

Android is a Smartphone, mobile Device Operating system created by Google. The MID Tablet uses Android Operating System to function.

  In order therefore to fully utilise all the

Google Goodies you have to create a Google account. This Google account will enable you to be able to download Apps, have a free email account (Gmail), Google + (Social Network) etc.

Creating a Google Account On the URL type: https://accounts.google.com/signup

Fill in the Form that you will see displayed

Upon successful registration, you will then be able to access all the Goodies Google has to offer

INSTALLING APPLICATIONS Log in to Google e.g. log in to gmail Tap the App Launcher icon Tap the Market Icon on the Top Right of

the screen Google Play pops up, Browse to your App of choice, tap on it

to download Tap the Install icon, Tap the accept the

terms to continue download

NOTE: Its important to note that there are Apps that are for free, and there are those that one has to pay for.

The ones that you pay for, you will need a credit card to do the transactions, else a Debit card with a VISA or MAESTRO sign.

You will be guided on the process of buying by the Application.

USING APPLICATIONS

This depends on the different app you are using, just as different games you play them differently.

Now you know how to access the applications on the MID Tablet so now all systems go!!

CONCLUSION

A Tablet Pc will greatly help you in your mobile computing needs. Not only will it help you on the corporate side but also as an entertainment tool (games, music and videos).

Note: A Tablet is just like a mini computer. Its

therefore important to Protect your Device from Threats like Viruses. A free yet powerful AV is AVAST. But obviously we all are subject to our own opinion