The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the trade show that debuts all kinds of electronic gadgets, toy, and equipment for consumers happens in Las Vegas every January. Despite a troubling economy, pundits say 2010′s show has a record number of new companies demonstrating their products. Attendance, however, may lag. But “tablet” computers will draw attention.
What the heck is a tablet?
Show of hands…who knows exactly what a tablet is? Well, I’m going to tell you. Apple hopes to shake the tech world January 27, or, depending on who you read, in March with the launch of their long-awaited tablet. Microsoft could decide to eclipse them with horns and whistles at CES about their pending Courier tablet and a start-up in India, company called Notion Ink had one too.
A tablet is a manageable size sort of netbook, sort of laptop. It’s a hybrid. Microsoft’s Courier, they say, will weight less, have ungodly power, and capabilities like pen input (you use an electronic pen to take notes right on screen) and finger gesture input as well. An upscale camera will be part of it. Of course the latest mobile connectivity. It will have a split screen, sort of like Nintendo’s DS gaming system, but larger and brighter.
Apple will likely go with fewer features, a much higher price than anyone else, and perhaps, fewer bugs, more reliability. Isn’t it wearying to watch Apple trail the carrot in front of consumers for so long and then release a piece of technology that very few in this economy will want to afford?
Notion Ink? Slashgear.com says:
The Notion Ink smartpad measures 6.3 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs 1.7lbs; as well as the triband (850/1900/2100) UMTS/HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR it also squeezes in A-GPS, a digital compass, accelerometer and proximity, ambient light and water sensors. Connectivity includes USB, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microphone input, and there’s also a 3-megapixel autofocus camera with video recording support. Onboard storage is either 16GB or 32GB of SSD, and there’s an SD slot for augmenting that.
Tablet computers and everyday consumers
As with most new gadgets, these little gems will come out all full of high price tags. Early adopters will include students with unlimited funding, rich business moguls, celebrities, and those who don’t balance their checkbooks. We frugal baby boomers will likely watch and wait for a bargain or for more competition.
It would be pretty cool if all these companies and a few more decided to release their stuff all at once. I really want a tablet. What writer wouldn’t feel coolishly geeky with one of these babies on their lap in the park?
Read some more:
Should air passengers have cellphones?
The finest paper around for your inkjet photo prints
