How about making a tablet that is also a smart phone

San Francisco Chronicle/David Einstein, 4/2/12, Business Report Bloomberg/Computing Q&A, "When will tablets also become a smart phone?"

Q: When is someone going to make a tablet that's also a smart phone? Why should I carry around two devices when one could do everything?

Samsung's Galaxy close as it gets.

A: The sticking point is economics. Take Apple, for instance - a good idea, because they set the (dial) tone for the rest of the market. An iPad with a built-in phone would cannibalize sales of the iPhone. That wouldn't be good for business. Also, Apple's "cool factor" is not compatible with holding a big tablet to your ear. Of course, you could conduct phone calls on a tablet using a headset or by speakerphone - something a lot of people do with their smart phones.
The only thing close to a "phablet" on the market today is the Samsung Galaxy Note, a smart phone with a 5.3-inch display - not quite into tablet territory, but getting close. Samsung, like Apple, makes phones and tablets, so it, too, is in danger of losing phone sales to a hybrid device. But the Galaxy Note appears to be a big winner. Samsung says it's sold 5 million of the things since it was released in October.
I think it's just a question of time before Apple bites the bullet and brings out a phablet of its own - perhaps a 7-inch version of the iPad with a built-in phone. Eventually, all tablets capable of using wireless carriers probably will double as phones.  Read more Q&A. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh