Why every Israeli needs a tablet

You don’t think you need a tablet? If you live in Israel, you’d better think again.

I own an outdated smartphone, prefer wav files to mp3s and drool over the crackles and pops of vinyl. When I get home from work, I live in a world far from the startup scene where I enjoy spending 9 hours a day.

I bought a tablet to learn what “this Android thing” was all about. At first, I didn’t know what to do with it. So we’ve got apps, another way to play backgammon and read the news.

It’s when you leave the house that your tablet pays for itself in spades. You go to Dizengoff and see a new store offering what appears to be a high-end fashion line. “You’ve never heard about the bla-bla line of clothes, nu?” You look it up. “No, and neither has Google. Looks like you’re running this out of the back seat of your car, sweatshop fashion designer!” Thanks to your tablet, you’re ready. You’ll never whip your laptop out in time to deal with these intriguing situations. A smartphone screen just doesn’t offer the same user experience. I don’t like squinting.

Then you go to an electronics store at a prominent Tel Aviv mall. They sell the same things that you can buy in the US, only with a few zeroes added to the price. “You’ll never find a better microwave for 5,000 shekels,” the salesman informs you. Your tablet knows better. Thanks to Zap, you find one that costs 300% less right around the corner. I don’t have a car, but can imagine the same scene plays itself out all day at repair shops.

The tablet is the consumer’s best friend. It evens out the game in our favor. Where my wallet goes, my tablet goes.

Another trend is called BYOD – Bring Your Own Device. People are starting to use their personal tablets at work and while away from work. Do you really want to take responsibility for a clunky work laptop? Why not check your mail and access Dropbox or Google Drive via your personalized tablet. Your device, your rules.

Look at all the people working on their tablets at cafes throughout Israel. They’re onto something amazing! When your boss tells you to stay late for an 11pm sales call to Hawaii, just download Skype and take the 6 o’clock train home. Tablet video conferencing from home – or wherever you are at the time – is a huge lifestyle upgrade.

When you get home, pour yourself a glass of wine, listen to your favorite album while thinking of all the money and trouble your space age tablet saved you during the day. Have a great weekend!