So after watching the keynote address from Steve Jobs yesterday regarding the iPad…I’m feeling a little bit on the fence.  Sure, I understand their naming convention (iPod, iPad)…but seriously iPad? I dunno it’s just a bad name.  Sorry Steve.  And yes, I am drawing conclusions on a product I haven’t even seen, touched or used yet.  But it doesn’t multitask, there’s no flash and as far as a music device: my iPod touch is just the right size.

Enter HP’s Slate.  I’ve been having trouble finding lots of specifics on the slate.  But it looks like it’s a nice size, and should make a great ebook reader/web browser/video player.   Due out sometime in 2010, I think this will be an awesome addition to the new lineup of tablets.

So Apple just announced it’s new iPad tablet.  It will be available for purchase in 60 days (That puts us right around March 27, 2010).   Cost will be $499 for 16gb, $599 for 32gb and $699 for 64gb.  Tablets have wi-fi built in and you also have an option to get them with 3G capabilities for an extra $130.   3G can be purchased via AT&T for $14.99 for 250mb and $29.99 for unlimited data and there is NO Contract required.  You just pre-pay and away you go.

Looks like the iPad has a 9.7″ screen and multitouch.  No camera, no flash, and I’m not sure about multi-tasking.

Enjoy!!!

Mag+ (video prototype footage only) from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Here’s commentary from one of the developers:

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Here’s a link to the story:

http://gizmodo.com/5428619/mag%252B-concept-from-popular-science-publishers-shows-thinking-outside-the-tablet-box

Ok, so I just couldn’t help myself with the headlines this morning. Unless I’m missing something (which is entirely possible) there is no Apple tablet. This looks promising…really promising.  This is the Microsoft Courier “tablet” and rather than an ebook reader (though I’m sure it can do that) it’s more meant to be a “journal/agenda”…think Dayrunner on steroids?  It looks like they’re going for the female demographic.  Apparently this baby is running windows 7….so it should be really interesting to see where this goes.  This is getting much closer to my vision of being able to have a thin/small tablet type device that’s large enough for my aging eyes to see and allows me to “read” a magazine in full-color with it’s full formatting.

And honestly, I’m still a bit bitter!  I’m a self-described Trekkie who has thought someone should make a 7″ or 8″ tablet since the days of Next Generation (remember their tablets).  It seems like all these companies are scrambling because they’ve somehow realized there actually is a market for this sort of thing.  I’ve been waiting on this kind of thing for 20 years.

Here’s a video that I found on youtube.  Looks really nice, but I’d love to see a bit more of it’s functionality (ebook reading, surfing, media) if there is any at this point.

At any rate, my faithful readers…enjoy looking at all the new technology coming out!!