No, the Apple iPad itself isn’t on trial. Well, not exactly. What the BBC is trialling are new ways to eliminate paper waste, increase efficiency, and eliminate the dependency on desktop machines when working remotely. The tablet – specifically the iPad – is one of the first in line to be considered as a possible solution.

To test the idea, employees within the BBC’s production, location, and technical departments have been given an iPad and asked to use it when they are working away from their desks. If successful, use of the iPad (or another tablet device) will not only decrease the amount of paper used, thus further facilitating an eco-friendly workplace, it will also increase productivity by facilitating away-from-office work and decreasing dependence on desktop computers.

The first news on the idea came when BBC CIO John Linwood said in an interview with Computing Magazine, “If a support engineer gets called into a studio, it would be handy to have a [iPad] device where you could look up circuit diagrams or software help files.”

While the iPad is the primary device in the BBC trials limelight, a spokesperson for BBC confirms that there are other tablets being tested. In the end, if the tablet trials come to a successful conclusion, which type of tablet chosen will depend upon BBC’s ultimate goals; do they go with the iPad for creativity and simplicity or is a Windows 7 device preferable for supporting external storage and providing the user experience more of their staff are accustomed to?