YCSI Blog

Computer tablets have become tremendously popular since the introduction of Apple’s iPad in 2010. Competitors have released their own versions and, almost overnight, a new technological commodity has become a competing force in the business world. Though that’s not to say that tablets are perfect for any business setting. We could very well look at the iPad ten years from now in the same way we currently view tape decks. When deciding on whether or not to purchase a tablet, it’s best to be educated. Consider these pros and cons before you make this expensive purchase. 

Pros: 

• Tablets are mobile. As business begins to fully utilize cloud computing, having your work remotely accessible becomes a must. A tablet can make you more accessible and, in turn, more productive. 
• Tablets are very practical tools. As developers continue to design new business apps that improve over time, there will be a growing amount of potential work uses for tablets. 
• Tablets express capability. In a business setting, having and using a tablet can communicate to your clients a sense of professionalism. If you use your tablet to enhance your work productivity, you will appear more capable. 

Cons: 

• Tablets haven’t reinvented the wheel. Almost all of the functions performed by a tablet can be performed on a laptop or desktop computer. Yes, tablets may be far more convenient, but does that make them absolutely necessary? 
• Tablets are toys. Much like smartphones, tablets are designed to function as entertainment, making it easy to become distracted with streaming video or games. 
• Tablets are a new technology. Though this makes them exciting and cutting edge, it also makes them expensive and sometimes faulty. Developers often release these items before they are perfected, and it might be a few years down the road until a fully reliable tablet is released at a reasonable cost. 

Computer tablets can be extremely useful tools, though at the same time they can operate as nothing more than very expensive toys. Depending on your needs, a tablet could be the perfect fit, but make sure to weigh the pros and cons prior to making a final decision. If you are interested in reading further, please read over this article.

How we pay for things has changed drastically over the decades. Technologies like credit cards and PayPal make payments far less complicated than in the past. NFC, or Near Field Communication, technology hopes to simplify payments even more by allowing people to transmit data from one device to another.

How will we use it?

NFC mobile chips will soon be integrated into all smartphones, making it easier than ever to pay for your coffee. Instead of searching around in your purse or pocket to find your wallet, you simply use your phone – something most of us have at hand at all times.

NFC mobile chips allow users to store their credit card information in their phones. Then, when they are at a store or retailer that is outfitted with mobile payment technology, they can simply scan their phones at the register to pay for their purchases.

Google Wallet

Google Wallet is the first debut into mobile payment technology by a major player in the tech industry. It is available on the Android Nexus S and may soon work on other smartphones, thanks to an NFC-enabled sticker. Several major retailers have already signed on to work with Google Wallet.

Because the mobile payments industry is going to be such a game-changer, it is unlikely that Apple, RIM, and other smartphone makers will be inclined to open their platforms up to Google Wallet. These companies, instead, will likely be coming out with their own mobile payment systems in the near future.

Other potential uses

NFC mobile chips will likely soon be doing much more than just helping you pay for your coffee. Some of those possible uses include:

• Replace passports and boarding passes
• Products may contain RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags on them that you can scan in order to gather information.
• Pet tags may soon have RFID tags attached that you can scan if you find a lost puppy.
• Replace keys – no more clunky key chains!

NFC technology is one of the biggest advancements in payments we have seen in a long time.

For more information on NFC mobile chips and how they work, check out this article.