Qualcomm: Tablets Killed the Smartbook

Forget about the impact that tablets like Apple’s iPad is having on the netbook industry; chipmaker Qualcomm is saying that the emerging consumer tablet industry is killing off the smartbook market, highlighted by hopeful devices such as the Lenovo Skylight and the released Toshiba AC100 and HP Compaq Airlife.

Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs says that tablets are now fulfilling the always-on, always connected purpose that smartbooks would fulfill. Additionally, tablets are also gaining battery life and features, such as Adobe Flash 10.1 with Android 2.2 Froyo.