Will Apple iPad be Adopted as The Next Clinical Tablet?

iPad does have a built in microphone and communications can be achieved very easily. This device is and will be perfect for the medical field for a thousand reasons.. build the apps and they will come..

In my opinion, the iPad will not be adopted as the next clinical tablet for the same reasons why the iMac hasn't found its way into industry in any meaningful way. It's not Windows. Windows PCs are built on the premise that anyone can build hardware or software and using the standard Windows API, will easily integrate into anyone's system. Apple on the other hand is built on the premise that any and all hardware must come from Apple. They cost more, there's limited hardware, and limited software.

If your a Mac fanboy, then I'm sure you'll think the iPad will revolutionize the way the world works... I'm a bit more realistic and think Mac has a long way to go before making any real industrial market penetration.

I'll reserve my judgement until I see what a wipe down with a quaternary desinfectant will do to the shiny little gadget, and how it survives the first accidental drop by a nurse/physician on the floor.

Devices used in the medical field must be designed from the ground up to survive that harsh environment. Shiny little toys designed for the entertainment of the masses just don't cut it.

There is a large gap between what many HOPE the iPad will do and what it actually CAN do. Tablet PCs have been on the market for many years and promised many of the same things. The limiting factor has been (and most likely will continue to be) software. In the US, CCHIT/Drummond certification (via the ARRA stimulus) will be the badge that differentiates what healthcare facilities will actually support and purchase.

I've listed another 10 reasons the current iPad will not be significantly deployed in healthcare if you have the time.