Just days after the anticipated release of the Apple iPad tablet, research group Gartner said touchscreen computers will need at least five years or more to help convince enterprise users, who are comfortable with keyboards and mice, to switch.
Less than 10% of PCs used in enterprises will be touchscreen devices, according to Gartner, as employee efficiency will likely drop due to the learning curve related to switching from keyboard and mouse to touchscreens.
Apple kicked off its recent iPad release day by selling 300,000 units, with an estimated 7.1 million units expected to be sold throughout 2010. As we noted in our hands-on article, the device isn't magical, but it is still key in advancing consumer technology.
Even if the iPad ultimately doesn't sell well -- which is still possible, some analysts warn -- software development aimed at touchscreen devices will increase in the years to come.
In addition to touchscreen issues, many software solutions used by companies don't have touchscreen support -- making the choice of touchscreen products a moot point in 2010.
Touchscreen technology could be the real winner as tablets are better marketed, especially among teenage users. It's expected touchscreens will be added to even more smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, and other popular portable consumer gadgets this year and next.
"By 2015, we expect more than 50 percent of PCs purchased for users under the age of 15 will have touch screens, up from fewer than 2 percent in 2009," said Gartner analysts.
I expect Apple and other companies to market these touchscreen products specifically to younger generations, as they are more willing to adapt to new technologies. Furthermore, schools that embrace the new technology could help spur wider adoption of touchscreen products.
