I love Game Changers and I see one coming

I don’t write about technology too often, generally my readers are more interested in Real Estate than in my take or use of technology.  But I love game changers and I see one coming up in just a couple of weeks.  Apple, in my opinion, the leader in game changing technology is rumored to come out with a tablet computer.  While not a new concept and not really their first attempt in this arena (the father of the Palm, the Newton was the first attempt).  I see this as something that is going to have huge, HUGE, impact on real estate as well as several other industries (namely medical).

Apple’s Recent History in Game Changing

The most obvious recent device is the iPhone.  This has helped me out quite a bit.  I can read email, look at property and take notes all while on a call.  And when I’m not on a call, I can listen to music!  I also have access to all of my documents from my office while on the move and have access to my CRM using Daylite Touch.  I’ve got it all.  I used to say, I’m sorry, I’m not at the office right now, I can get that to you in about 4 hours.  Now the only time I say that is when I need to use ZipForms (which requires a PC with Internet, hint hint ZipForms, you need an app for that!!!!).  So paperwork is moving faster, projects are getting done faster and I’ve got more ME time to enjoy life.

Briefly, before that was the iPod, I probably don’t have to tell you how that changed the music industry and how people can enjoy their music so much more now!

Rumors are a flying around

I don’t have some special access to Apple or some internal source, I’m just like you, a consumer and it’s not secret that I use Macintosh a lot.  I’ve got a background in Computer Science and I know a good computer when I see and work with one and Apple is stable and compensates for my poor artistic skills very nicely.  Here are just some of the rumors flying around that I am excited about:

First and for most is that Apple doesn’t announce what they are working on until they are ready and the Tabletcomputer is no different, they may not be working on one.  I seriously doubt it, but rumors are flying that on Jan 27th, they have a major announcement to make and there is a lot of speculation that it will be a Tablet.

The iPhone has seen a sub-sector development of medical hardware and apps and as a former Paramedic, I can see the advantage of using a Tablet in the medical field, so I see this as being very probable.

There was a very small and brief rumor that I’ve lost track of (if you find it, please comment with the link below), where Apply filed a patent on handwriting recognition without a pen or styleless.  Think of it, you are pretending to write on the screen and it picks it up.  No worries about losing a styleless or anything.  This will be huge for documents and data entry.  Since I haven’t see much about it, I’m sure this will be the one thing missing that I really wish existed right now.

Real Estate

I’m really surprised at how little the Real Estate industry has taken to these rumors, but I guess I shouldn’t be since we seem to be 10 years behind the tech curve.  I can see my office actually disappearing now.  All of my documents will be stored encrypted in a cloud, I can answer the phone, look up, create a document, sign off on it, email/fax it all from a Tablet.  Then I can return to eating, listening to music and reviewing the latest listings all without moving anywhere. 

So what is missing, well, probably not a lot.  ZipForms, who has an interface to create contracts, offers and other documents may find some challenges if Java doesn’t run well on the Tablet, and allowing signature input.  eMail will already exist, many MLS run over the web so they should be good to go.  CRM programs will adjust to the new size, interface.  Rumor exists that it will have 3G connectivity for anywhere Internet access and possibly could work as a cell phone as well.  I do expect new applications to come about as we become more mobile, but I think we have everything we need so far with minor adjustments.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to the Apple Event and am ready to hit the buy bottom after it is done.

Related posts:

1. Apple iPad and the Future of Real Estate
2. Designing an Opt-In System
3. The end of the Fax Machine!
4. The 4 M’s of Hardship
5. FlexMLS Beta Testing Review