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The Future is Tablets and Flash Virtual Tours are Dead!

By David Boyd

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty NJ Lic: 0570825

April 05, 2010 12:57 AM

Apple iPad Estimates for Saturday's intial release of Apple's iPad are coming in much higher than expected. Analysts are now estimating between 600,000-700,000 units have sold in one day. They now estimate full year sales of 6-7 million units!

As Realtors, I think we need to see how a tablet device like this can impact our business and influence our clients and customers.

Think about this...you walk into a listing presentation, with iPad in hand. You go through your routine...but instead of showing them colored printouts you are interactively showing them your presentation with charts, pictures, active listings and virtual tours all from your wireless device. You might even let them hold the device to browse pictures. I think that might make a big impact on your prospective client.

So what does this have to do with Flash Virtual Tours you ask?

Apple iPads (or iPhones) do not support Flash websites...which means forget about showing them your Flash virtual tours. The iPads do support full HTML 5 in their built-in Safari browser. This will allow for direct embedding of certain video formats and lots of "Flash" like effects (if the website is designed for it). So my suggestion would be to look for a Virtual Tour company that will support HTML5 (non-flash) tours sometime in the near future...because it's obvious that not just Realtors are buying into this technology.

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William True

True Sarasota Real Estate - Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Real Estate

Good points, David. And technology marches on!

Apr 05, 2010 01:02 AM

Harry F. D'Elia III

WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

All great advice. I love the tablet PC. It needs some more upgrades at this point.

Apr 05, 2010 01:08 AM

Debbie DiFonzo

Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO

Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Interesting information David. I am wondering if there is a VT company out there already on top of this? With so much attention on video, flash seems to be dieing out.

Terry Lynch

LAR Notary and Closing Services - Saint Clair Shores, MI

I'm going to wait and see about your prediction of the death of Flash. REALTORS are notoriously slow to embrace new technology. Tablet PCs have been around for quite a while and have never caught on. HP is going to be releasing their own version of the iPad later this year and it will probably have more functionality and a lower price. Even the iPhone had some problems to work out and I'm sure the iPad will be no different, maybe Apple will add Flash to later versions as they tweak it.

Apr 05, 2010 01:10 AM

David Boyd

Coldwell Banker Realty - Middletown, NJ

Your Home for 55+ Communities in NJ

Terry - It is true that Realtors are slow to adopt technology, but it is our clients that we should be thinking of. If there are millions of iPhone users and possibly millions of iPad users by the end of this year...then why would we be spending money on virtual tours that they can't see? Just a thought...

Apr 05, 2010 01:57 AM

Charles Stallions

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL

850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Thanks for your insight David, I enjoy seeing what is out there but I gave up the latest and greatest when I go married.;0)

I prefer face to face and work with others that do, it is simple and it pays for the lifestyle.

Apr 05, 2010 03:12 AM

David

You make a valid point. Unfortunately, I think we will have to find a provider who will create both Flash and HTML5 versions of the tours because you are correct, there will be millions of iPad users, but there will still be millions of traditional users on netbooks, laptops and more "traditional" devices.

Apr 05, 2010 04:11 AM

Tom Davis

Harrington ERA,DE Homes For Sale, $$ Save $$ Buy Today ! - Dover, DE

FREE Delaware Homes Search!, $$ Save $$ - Find Homes! Delaware Realtor

Hi David,

I agree with comment # 1 , technology marching on part! Those are some Strong #'s !

Thanks,

Apr 05, 2010 02:21 PM

Also Wanted to Say... Welcome To Active Rain! Great Post for a First Post!! Look forward to more!

Apr 05, 2010 02:25 PM

John Novak

Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV

Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Good point about the lack of Flash compatibility on the iPad. I'm not planning to buy until later in the year, but do see plenty of great uses for it.

Apr 05, 2010 02:26 PM

Vickie McCartney

Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY

Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi David~ I guess I just don't know what I don't know. It is so hard to keep up with all of this technology! I would like to get a iPad though.....

Apr 05, 2010 02:32 PM

Cheryl Ritchie

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD

Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I gave interactive MLS information at an appointment this weekend. It was really neat!

Dec 05, 2010 04:46 PM

The Future is Tablets and Flash Virtual Tours are Dead!

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