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of his Samsung Galaxy Tab, he realized how outdated he was; and more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
