Tech major Hewlett Packard is bent on making things difficult for the just launched iPad from Apple. And for this, HP is leaving no stone unturned.
For one, HP is making sure that its upcoming Slate has all that the iPad lacks out on and is hyping the inclusion the such features so as to make sure its device is in reckoning among potential Tablet PC buyers. For instance, the Slate will come equipped with a built-in camera, Flash support and USB connectivity, all of which is missing on even the high-end iPad. Slate will have the Windows 7 as its operating system and will be able to run videos or sites based on Flash. HP has also made it known that with the Slate, users will have a complete web browsing experience in the palm of their hands with there being no restrictions to tie them down.
Another area where the Slate scores significantly over the iPad is its ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time, something that the current version of iPad is unable to do. So this should bring cheers to those who love to multitask but were disappointed by the exclusion of this feature from the iPad. Slate will also come bundled with 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities, which again is lacking in the current versions of the iPad. Apple however intends to make it up with a 3G enabled iPad which they have confirmed will be in the offing towards the end of this month itself.
HP Slate is rumored to be hitting markets in the US sometime in June this year followed by a European launch during September 2010. On the price front, experts opine that it’s going to be around the 400 Euro mark, which makes it around $540. This compares favorably with the iPad price which is now retailing at $499 for the base version. So once released, the Slate is expected to be a strong competitor to the Cupertino, California based company.
In the meantime, in another development, Hewlett-Packard has initiated legal proceedings against MicroJet Technology – a Taiwan based company that makes printer ink cartridges, along with three other companies on charges of infringing on its patent rights.
Watch this space for more from the world of Tablet or Slate PCs along with all the latest e-reader news.
Also, our Good E-Reader Magazine April edition is now out! Check it out today, its 15 pages of pure e-reader and slate/tablet PC bliss. The first issue ONLY costs just $1.99.
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.