The Tablet Is Dying and Here’s Why

Tablet computers are not what they used to be

A few years ago we couldn't stop talking about tablets and device manufacturers launched new models at the speed of light. But that's all behind now, and consumers have slowly started losing interest in tablets.

According to the latest numbers provided by research firm IDC, in the second quarter of 2015, Apple and Samsung lost four points of market share to the rest of the tablet maker bunch. Overall, 44.7 million tablets shipped worldwide, which constitutes a decrease of 7% (or 3.3 million) from the second quarter a year ago.

Some of the several reasons for the accentuated downfall include the fact that larger-screened handsets are cannibalizing tablet sales and unlike the case with smartphones, tablet owners don’t really see the need to upgrade to a new slate every year.

IDC numbers showing tablet decline

Tablets are just flat out boring

But apart from phablets providing all the features that mobile users actually need, there’s another important aspect to consider when it comes to slates – lack of innovation.

Tablet makers today are just using the same old blue-prints, adding newer specs under the hood and voila, they have a new tablet model. But things can’t work like this forever.

It seems like the days on innovations are over in the tablet world. There’s just nothing that can literally surprise us now. How about a tablet with a huge 12.9-inch display? Samsung has already done that. Or one that’s waterproof? Sony offers plenty of models from this category. Or maybe you’d like a tablet that can sit on its own? Lenovo’s Yoga bunch is just what you need.

Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet 2 Pro was a bit of an odd ball out when it got launched last year. The device offers a huge 13.3-inch display and bundles a pico-projector, a feature that we haven’t seen any other tablets feature. Still, it doesn’t seem like users have been stepping over themselves to acquire it.

Still newer form factors like 2-in-1s and convertible computers might have a chance to fight the decline. These are devices that can be used either in tablet or laptop mode, so they tend to offer more flexibility. Even so, we don’t see much innovation happening in this sector either. ASUS wanted to roll out a dual-boot laptop/tablet hybrid that could switch between Android and Windows, but its attempt was smothered in the cradle.

Can a new form factor save the decline?

As we said above, the tablet market currently offers everything we could desire and doesn’t leave us wanting. There are tablets of all sizes that appeal to almost everyone (even of the 40-inch variety if you’re into really huge stuff) and they all do pretty much what all the models do.

Hardware is constantly being upgraded which is a good thing, but not something you wouldn’t expect. There are thin and light tablet, tablets with big battery life, so there’s no room for them to expand, as far as hardware is concerned.

As for form, we already said the 2-in-1 format doesn’t seem to be advancing anywhere else. However, there have been rumors indicating to a possible flexible tablet, one which could be folded in two to become more portable.

A foldable tablet could save all?

A bendable tablet like that would surely attract the attention of many, but the question remains whether it would amount to something more than a mere curiosity. After all LG’s curved G Flex and G Flex 2 didn’t exactly break any selling records.

What do you think? Can you imagine tablets being just a mere memory in a few years?