The BBC has put together an article on the adoption of the next generation touch screen devices, including smartphones and laptops.
The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the USA demonstrated some of the capabilities and products to soon arrive in stores worldwide.
Most specifically from HP and Dell, these tablet devices are laptops without the bulk, and physical keyboard.
Purely touch screen oriented, these units according to HP chief technology officer appeal to consumers changing web habits.
The HP unit is set to use, Windows 7 whilst Dell have announced plans to produce a tablet this summer, which will run Google Androids operating system, have a SIM card slot, Wi-Fi and other social networking tools. Phone calls will be possible but it is not designed to replace a handset or a netbook.
Some would suggest they are a cross between a PC and a multimedia device.
Stuart Miles, editor of technology blog Pocket Lint has questioned the purpose of slate devices, stating many people own mobiles, laptops and PC’s that can do all that a slate device would. In short there is nothing to really get consumers wanting them, other than the innovative approach to computing.
Having said this, with ever increasing interactivity through social networks and the internet, could this be the stat of something bigger?
Maybe they will in future have accessories, that make them like a laptop but with the ability to retain it as a very portable computing solution.
There are suggestions that Apple will introduce such a product. With their brand and innovative portfolio of products, maybe they could be at the forefront of driving such forward.
We would love to hear your thoughts.
Via: BBC
About Jon