For those not sure what they are, slate/tablet computers are fully mobile handheld computers approximately the size of an eReader such as the Kindle. Given that there is no dedicated keyboard on these devices text input is conducted via the touchscreen using handwriting recognition or a virtual keyboard. It is likely these devices will utilise a 3G connection to access the web. Slate/tablet computers sit somewhere between a Smartphone such as the iPhone or Nexus One and a laptop.
In a recent article on VentureBeat, it has been reported that Apple has been shopping the yet-to-be-confirmed device to hospital executives from Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It has been claimed that over the last six weeks Apple representatives have regularly visited the hospital with regards to a new device. In many ways the ‘iSlate’ would be well suited to medical applications. the iPhone and other Smartphones have generally been embraced by the medical community showing an appetite for technical innovation is there. Their relatively small size would make them the ideal replacement for the traditional doctor’s clipboard used for patient data. What’s more their connectivity would keep them connected to their colleagues and hospital systems and be a useful tool with the growth of electronic health records.
With the ‘iSlate’ expected (although not guaranteed) to be announced at the end of this month this is all purely speculation as is typical with anything to do with Apple. Nonetheless this sort of pre-announcement deal making would not be unlike Apple. For instance before the announcement of iTunes, there were a number of deals with record labels already in place. Therefore, it seems entirely possible that Apple have moved to guarantee a customer base in advance of the product’s anoouncement. As I say, it’s not set in stone but don’t be surprised to see your doctor weilding Apple’s highly anticipated device in the not so distant future.
Apple tablet destined for hospital wards?
Following on from CES and the Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer’s unveiling of a slate/tablet device from HP the excitement around these handheld touchscreen computers has been higher than ever with the Apple version the most highly anticipated. While the device has yet to even be confirmed, speculation about the ‘iSlate’ is rife.
For those not sure what they are, slate/tablet computers are fully mobile handheld computers approximately the size of an eReader such as the Kindle. Given that there is no dedicated keyboard on these devices text input is conducted via the touchscreen using handwriting recognition or a virtual keyboard. It is likely these devices will utilise a 3G connection to access the web. Slate/tablet computers sit somewhere between a Smartphone such as the iPhone or Nexus One and a laptop.
In a recent article on VentureBeat, it has been reported that Apple has been shopping the yet-to-be-confirmed device to hospital executives from Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It has been claimed that over the last six weeks Apple representatives have regularly visited the hospital with regards to a new device. In many ways the ‘iSlate’ would be well suited to medical applications. the iPhone and other Smartphones have generally been embraced by the medical community showing an appetite for technical innovation is there. Their relatively small size would make them the ideal replacement for the traditional doctor’s clipboard used for patient data. What’s more their connectivity would keep them connected to their colleagues and hospital systems and be a useful tool with the growth of electronic health records.
With the ‘iSlate’ expected (although not guaranteed) to be announced at the end of this month this is all purely speculation as is typical with anything to do with Apple. Nonetheless this sort of pre-announcement deal making would not be unlike Apple. For instance before the announcement of iTunes, there were a number of deals with record labels already in place. Therefore, it seems entirely possible that Apple have moved to guarantee a customer base in advance of the product’s anoouncement. As I say, it’s not set in stone but don’t be surprised to see your doctor weilding Apple’s highly anticipated device in the not so distant future.