The fad for consumer tablets is falling faster than The Flash heading to the loo after a particularly nasty batch of oysters. But vendors have invested a fortune in Steve Jobs’ vision that everyone will be using a keyboard less netbook.

Now apparently they are clustered around the idea of creating n specific applications such as gaming, ruggedized and child-friendly toys.

One example is the Acer’s Predator 8 gaming tablet, and Samsung Electronics and Kurio have launched the Galaxy Tab3 Kids T2105 and Kurio Smart for children.

The Predator 8 will have an 8-inch display with a 1920 by 1200 resolution, Intel's Atom X7 processor, 2GB memory, 32GB or 64GB storage and 5-megapixel back and 2-megapixel front cameras. The device will be priced at around $336.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 Kids T2105 is designed specifically for preschool children and features an interface that can help attract children's attention. Kurio's Smart tablet features Windows 10 operating system and is pre-installed with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and OneDrive.

It is not a bad idea. Other ideas could include specific tablets for waiters or even cheap subsidised magazines or newspapers. The advantage of having a specific tablet for one thing means that it can be customised. You don’t need heavy duty hardware if all you are going to do is run a magazine for commuters, nor do you need many add-ons for waiting staff to take orders.