Are we addicted to multi touch?

I think I’m addicted to multi touch screens. Seriously, in the past six months, I’ve purchased a 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab (which is like a Droid IPad), an MSI All-in-one PC with 22″ touchscreen, and a Motorola Droid Pro mobile phone with 3″ multi touch screen and “hard key” QWERTY keyboard. Each device is perfect for different scenarios.

Here is a Venn diagram I created showing the capabilities of each device, and where those capabilities overlap:

Looking at the diagram, it looks like I could ditch the tablet. But like any IPad user, there is no way I’m going to give up my tablet, because it is perfect for meetings. Take the typical 1 or 2 hour site meeting.  Before the tablet, I would lug my laptop to every meeting, in case I needed access to my local files.  I would check email on my Blackberry, and it wasn’t easy to read PDFs or show them to other people.  If I wanted to use the laptop, I needed to boot it up, ask my client for a wifi password, an/or hardwire LAN connection. I need to bring my power cord and find a power outlet unless I had a good battery. Sometimes I would bring a mouse and mousepad, plus the project drawings and folder of documents. It was a backpack full.

Nowadays, when to go to a meeting or site survey, I usually only bring the Samsung tablet and a paper notepad. I leave the Droid Pro in the car, and the PC at the office. No laptop, period. During breaks, I can easily check important emails, and visual voice mail.  I have full access to my cloud stored files, including local versions, so I don’t have to bring a binder or job folder. I can reference any cutsheet or instruction manual, or video call into video conference rooms.

My particular tablet is also great for taking site survey photos. I still prefer taking meeting notes with a pen and pad. For whatever reason, taking notes on paper seems to be less rude than taking notes on a laptop or tablet; the latter almost seems like you are only half-listening. Call me old-fashioned.