ROBERT HALF Reports on Increased use of Tablets

A recent survey developed by Robert Half Technology, a provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis, reveals that four in 10 (40%) of CIOs said their companies will increase the use of tablets in the next two years. The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 270 CIOs from companies across Canada with 100 or more employees.

BlackBerry's tablet may support Android Apps

Research in Motion's (NASDAQ:RIMM) tablet computer, the PlayBook, may soon be able to run applications from Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system, a move that could make the device more appealing to users.
According to a Bloomberg report that cites three unidentified people familiar with the matter, RIM is integrating Android with the PlayBook's QNX operating system, which the company has said it will eventually migrate to its BlackBerry smartphones. By integrating the two, customers will be able to access Android applications. The software is being developed internally and might be ready as soon as the second half of the year, sources said. RIM declined to comment on the story. Interestingly, RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie is expected to speak on Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain.
Analyst Chetan Sharma told Bloomberg that by offering a tablet with BlackBerry's security and messaging software combined with Android apps, RIM may be able to attract customers that would otherwise opt for another tablet device.
RIM unveiled the Playbook last September. The BlackBerry tablet has a 7-inch screen and supports Adobe's Flash. In January, Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) announced that it would sell the PlayBook tablet starting this summer. The tablet will connect to Sprint's 4G service, which uses Clearwire's (NASDAQ:CLWR) WiMAX network. Neither company has provided definitive pricing information, except to say that the tablet will sell for under $500.

DELOITTE PREDICTS CANADIANS TO BUY MORE SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS THAN PCs in 2011

Deloitte has unveiled its 2011 global Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions reports, including the top TMT trends Canadians can expect to see in the coming year and beyond. The 2011 Canadian TMT Predictions are based on research, in-depth interviews and input from Deloitte clients and alumni, industry analysts, leading global TMT executives, and more than 7,000 Deloitte TMT member firm practitioners. Among Deloitte Canada’s top 10 most significant TMT trends that will impact Canada in 2011 is that combined sales of smartphones, tablets and non-PC netbooks will account for more than half of all computer devices sold. Full details of both the top 10 Canadian and global TMT Predictions are available at: http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_CA/ca/
industries/tmt/tmtpredictions/index.htm.

SURVEY: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS EMBRACING MOBILE

Results from a study conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion on behalf of Rogers Communications have found that 93% of 18- to 34-year-old small business owners are leveraging advanced wireless solutions to keep them future forward. The study also found that while the majority of all small business owners (56%) maintain a combination of wired and wireless connectivity, those between the ages of 18-34 (20%) have cut the cord completely, operating wireless workplaces through devices including Rocket sticks, wireless hubs, smartphones, laptops and Wi-Fi networks. Another 11% report plan to cut the cord completely in the next six to 12 months. The small business owners surveyed cited increased employee productivity (61%), higher employee satisfaction (50%) and cost savings (50%) as the top three advantages to mobilizing their businesses and having staff work remotely. While voice remains the number one cellphone application in terms of importance (79%), nearly half of small business owners are turning to their mobiles for data (48%), followed by texting (31%) and browsing the Web (28%).