Samsung Galaxy at-TAB-oy!

This business trip was supposed to be no different for him. As usual he had got up early in the morning, skipped breakfast (and more importantly the newspaper), and rushed to the airport only to realize he had forgotten to print his e-ticket and boarding pass. Fortunately he remembered he had downloaded the airline’s app last week that not just enabled his check-in, but also helped skip the long queue. He couldn’t thank his new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 enough. This meeting was very important for him; he couldn’t have missed it in the world.

But his hectic schedule didn’t permit him to take a moment and thank his stars, or rather his decision to buy this tablet. Until a week back, he had been skeptical about paying for a tablet when his company had already provided him a laptop. Besides he also had a smart phone that kept him annoyingly busy (so much for flexible working hours). His wife would have sworn at another gadget, consider his preoccupation with the other two. Yet he bought one; or in his business parlance invested in one :)

It was while transiting at an airport that he had discovered the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Just as he was lamenting the travel adapter he had forgotten home, and the miserable battery that his laptop had consumed as he worked two time zones away in flight; he chanced a peek at the well-heeled gentleman next table engrossed in what appeared like a thin, shiny slate. He couldn’t help himself from asking what it was, only to be subjected to a ‘dude, where did you come from’ look. He always thought gadgets are 20-somethings’ personal toys until the gentleman shared his rather impressive business credentials. He seemed to be very much abreast of technology, not to mention pretty passionate about it too. Just as the gentleman rattled off the cool specs of his Samsung Galaxy Tab, he realized how outdated he was; and more importantly what he was missing. A slight swoosh across the surface, and he instantly knew he had to buy a tablet. But why this one? Weren’t there enough brands with enough variety in specs and across a wide price range available in the market? His business instincts prodded him to research more.

Thankfully the gentleman wasn’t just interested in technology, but also loved to share his wisdom. As he enlightened, this tablet was built on the Android 3.1 Honeycomb platform (another alien term), which only meant a growing user base, hence a growing app-folio to him. His years in corporate had taught him enough about the importance of putting your money where the mouth is. As long as app developers were convinced Android continues to grow, they would continue developing apps for it. Besides unlike other operating systems, Honeycomb was designed specifically for tablets. And the Tab’s form factor, weight, sleek looks, processing capabilities, all seemed in a league of its own. It wasn’t too long before he tabbed on his own, and was completely smitten by it.

He eventually realized the Tab was such an instant conversation starter, something that’s so necessary in his profession. Just as he had enquired about it to the gentleman in the airport lounge, he now was at the center of attention in his cubicle. He was the new cool guy in office. Colleagues wanted to tab his Tab, the big boss wanted to know how it fared with other tablets, and juniors wanted to book their Tab at the airport duty free, the next time he traveled abroad. His messy desk with post-its, and old pictures pinned to the soft board that he never glanced at, had now made their way to his Tab’s Mini Apps Calendar and sharp 149 ppi screen. He could have this on his laptop too, but then the experience wouldn’t have been the same, would it?

Life wasn’t very different back home either. His wife, not to take geeky fixations lightly, was herself hooked on to her favorite TV shows and movies on the Tab’s 10.1 inch high definition display. And it was a constant struggle with his son too, given the Tab’s superb audio and video quality.

But then, his intention of investing in the Tab was not just personal use. After all he spent more than 50% of his time toiling, typing and tolerating at work. The Tab was supposed to be his business companion. And which business function could survive without Office applications? Thankfully, the Tab had Polaris Office that offered the oh-so-familiar PowerPoint, Word, Excel functionality without the glare commonly associated with laptops. Just as he was about to miss his infamous keyboard-smashing tag given the speed with which he typed, the Tab’s snugly fit, keyboard dock accessory had saved his professional life. It’s camera and collaboration tools were things that he had already been sold on to.

But today was still different in its way. By now, he had got used to reading his favorite business magazines on the Tab’s Readers Hub, and so hadn’t missed the morning newspaper. He wasn’t bothered about the already-seen movie titles in the in-flight entertainment system, for he carried his movie library on his Tab. And no, the uneasy feeling in a new city in a new country didn’t bother him either. His Tab’s GPS showed he was on the right track, and he was connected with his friends and family through the Social Hub. This meeting was far too important for him. This client was known to be temperamental and his proposal though brilliant still needed a magic touch. Alas, if only he could find something that could strike a comfort level with him.

Apprehensively he entered the conference room and readied his Tab for the presentation. This time there was no fear of slow connectivity; he was confident of his Tab’s speed and HSPA+ connection. Yet the edgy feeling kept coming back. He was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as the client entered exclaiming, “Attaboy!” Taken aback, it took him a moment to realize the ice had been broken. The client having noticed the Tab, was charmed at the prospect of working with someone who was so progressive, matching steps with contemporary technology. Needless to add, the presentation went off well. And they say, tablets are personal toys, not meant for business – he thought to himself!

Ecstatic at his success, he dashed off to the airport to board the flight back home. And this time he shopped for gifts for his family. For this time, he did not have to bother about the weight of his cabin baggage. The Tab’s Readers Hub had made more than enough space in his bag otherwise stuffed with books and a heavy laptop. He could well imagine the look on his son’s face when he clings to the toy he had bought him – Attaboy!

PS: Attaboy – (idiomatic, colloquial) Used to show encouragement or approval; an accolade – Wiktionary.org