App compatibility necessary for 'post-PC' era

These days, most people do not own just one internet-capable device. From mp3 players and smartphones to tablet computers and e-readers to laptop and desktop PCs, a person can access the web through any number of systems, and as a result, many are demanding they be able to access the same applications across devices as well.

For this reason, application compatibility has become a top priority for many developers, who are increasingly designing apps formatted for a range of devices. Many video streaming services and reader apps, for example, allow a user to pause at a certain point on one device, then pick up exactly where he or she left off on another.

Web-based email is another example of application compatibility. Email access on traditional PCs is markedly different in format than that on a tablet or smartphone, although the same information is presented. Given the differences in size and navigation of the devices, it is necessary the website is optimized for the device on which it is accessed.

This trend is now extending beyond applications and is showing up in operating systems themselves. Google's latest version of Android™, for example, is designed for both smartphones and tablets, and Microsoft's upcoming Windows® 8 will span tablets and traditional PCs, allowing for greater compatibility across platforms.