Tech Diversions

It seems Tablet devices are all the craze.  CES 2010 saw a number of tablet devices announced and of course the Apple event on the 27th is being eaten up in the media.  Funny thing is that tablets have been trying to gain mainstream acceptance since the early 90’s.  Back with Windows Pen Computing.

We’ve even seen some pretty cool devices over the years from Toshiba, Fujistu, and HP.  Like the HP TC series:

Then HP started their TouchSmart series of computers taking it to another level with Multi-Touch.  The Apple iPod and iPhone took it to the masses in a smaller form factor and now Windows 7 has Multi-Touch supported at its core.

But what is a tablet?  A Kiosk, kitchen computer, couch device?  They’ve been all of those things and yet they haven’t reached critical mass.  What makes this new resurgence of tablets (now we call them slates) more acceptable or versatile?

The problem is that use is splintered.  Some would like the versatility of a full computer OS and others would like a specialty device more geared for media consumption like an oversized iPhone.  Still some are in-between the two wanting some sore of sexy, love child of a computer and iPhone.

Being a PC fan, I really thought Lenovo hit it out of the park at CES 2010.  The S10-3t offers a convertible multi-touch in a netbook and the U1 Hybrid might just be the best of both worlds; a netbook and a removable monitor that becomes a slate device with a specialized OS for media consumption and web surfing.  In the PC world I would say the U1 is the one to beat but that’s my opinion.

Now Apple is expected to announce their answer to the tablet, their next big thing.  Supposedly seven years in the making you have to think they will come up with something special.  If it’s just another tablet computer then it will just be another one in the crowd. 

What would make a new type of device successful, besides being sexy, is content.  Nobody does content better than Apple and nobody can dictate to content providers more than Apple.  From the sounds of the web, I would have to say that it will probably be something special.  We’ll have to see on the 27th.  Regardless, I still think I might go with the U1 because of the openness, but if Apple comes up with something truly special, I might be able to handle being dictated to from iTunes.

MSI was showing a dual-screen netbook with multi-touch on both screens.  You could use it like a book or use one screen as a touch keyboard.  Kind of cool and it is expected to be released this summer.  You can have a look at it over at Techradar.

Not quite but with products like the Light Blue Optics “Light Touch”, it may be sooner than you think.  The Light Touch is a portable pico projector that projects a touch interface on a desk surface.  Check it out at engadget.

HP continues their “touch” push by updating the convertible Tx2 to the Tm2.  The Tm2 is more modern looking and the including TouchSmart software updated.  The Mini 5102 has a myriad of options available, one of which is a capacitive touch screen.  You can find out more at endgadget here and here.

The Dell Mini has been updated with not only “pine trail” but also takes a small hint of design from the Adamo via its hinged screen.  You can find more at engadget and Dell.