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Forget the Apple tablet: These touch-screen laptops are available now

While the entire world (or at least bloggers) seemingly holds its breath for the announcement of a tablet PC from Apple, one might think that touch-screen computing is some kind of shocking new development. In fact, tablet PCs have been around for years, and there are several touch-screen laptops currently on the market that could easily satisfy your finger-tapping needs.

We've always loved tablets conceptually, but in real-world situations their usefulness can be dubious for mainstream computer users--most tablets are actually targeted at hospital, education, or industrial customers. Windows XP's wonky tablet support also didn't help matters (although both Vista and now Windows 7 do a much better job).

The most common type is the convertible tablet laptop, which looks like a normal notebook until you swivel the touch-sensitive screen 180 degrees and fold it down over the keyboard. HP's tx series of "entertainment tablets" is one of the only examples of a convertible tablet aimed squarely at casual consumers (we've profiled two recent versions below).

Netbooks, with their tiny keyboards and buttons, always seemed like prime candidates for the tablet treatment, and the new Asus Eee PC T91is a worthwhile attempt, if you don't mind the small 9-inch screen.

Of course, Apple could easily steal the tablet spotlight with a well-made, easy-to-use device (especially if the company follows the hints in our Apple tablet wish list), or they may announce nothing at all in the near future. And despite the reams of mindless speculation about Apple's tablet plans, one company has already beaten them to the punch, in a way.

The current closest relative to an Apple tablet is the Axiotron ModBook, which takes a stock 13-inch MacBook, and reconstructs it as a tablet, removing the keyboard and trackpad, and replacing the display with a Wacom-enabled LCD and digitizer.… Read more

Keyboard for Apple tablet already here?

Recently, my colleague Rafe Needleman wrote a column titled "Why consumers won't buy tablets." The article was a direct reference to the long-standing rumor that Apple may be releasing a slate-style, jumbo iPod Touch this fall. Rafe doesn't really believe Apple would be misguided enough to release a tablet and that if it does put one out in the rumored $700 to $800 price range, "it will die." He also believes that, "This whole category is a nonstarter."

I tend to agree with Rafe on a lot of his points. I think tablets and tweener devices--like Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs)--that are too big to put in your pocket, cumbersome to operate, and overpriced, are problematic and have no place in the marketplace.

The reason why Netbooks have been successful is that they're cheap, and their form factor makes sense, especially for those looking to take a basic, lightweight computer out with them on the road--or just out to the patio. It's a pretty simple equation and you'd think that Apple would just follow the Netbook trend and come out with something that didn't break the mold but was sexier, a little zippier, and cost an extra $100-$200 in so-called Apple tax. What I'm talking about is a 10-inch $600-$700 Apple Netbook with a keyboard.… Read more

Why an Apple tablet will succeed

The Apple tablet, if it arrives, is an extension of a design that already has mass appeal--and does not require a leap of faith to believe it will succeed.

The Apple iPhone and iPod are arguably small tablets--and consumers have demonstrated unmistakably that they love these devices. So, a larger, more versatile version of the iPod makes perfect sense.

And some not-so-small companies like Qualcomm and Intel are pushing tablet-like devices for their next-generation silicon. So this isn't just Apple (if the Apple tablet rumors are indeed true).

That said, let's not limit this potential market to Apple. … Read more

New iPhone OS 3.0-based prototype discovered

Ars Technica reports that the latest version of the iPhone OS 3.1 beta 3 seeded to developers recently holds a configuration file that references two mysterious products known as iProd0,1 and iProd1,1. iProd0,1 was previously referenced and initially spotted back in March in a version of the same configuration file in iPhone OS 3.0 beta. References to iProd1,1, however, are completely new.

According to Ars: The iProd1,1 device has been assigned a new productID of 4762 (versus 4757 of iProd0,1) and assigned a different ConfigurationDescriptor of "standardMuxPTPEthernet." iPhone models also … Read more

Why consumers won't buy tablets

Rumors have it Apple is a month away from announcing a tablet computer. Another tablet, the Crunchpad, is also due for imminent release. These and other fine keyboardless computers get great play on gadget blogs (including our own Crave), but in the real world, I believe this whole category is a nonstarter. Why we keep waiting for the killer tablet computer is beyond me. Few people really want one, especially at the prices that they will have to sell for.

Tablet computers--elegant slates that you operate with a touch screen--are attractive if you're a sci-fi fan. There's something … Read more

Name that Netbook: What should Apple call its rumored tablet PC?

According to various rumors and reports, Apple's got a new slate-style Netbook in the works that may be announced as soon as next month. While we have no confirmation from Apple--or anybody else--that such a product really exists, that doesn't mean we can't do a little market survey and ask you what the thing should be called.

If the rumors are at all on target, the final product will look something like a jumbo iPod Touch. However, what's interesting is that such a PC would most likely be a crossover product for Apple and straddle several … Read more

Our Apple tablet hardware, software wish list

Hardly a day goes by without some form of feverish speculation gripping the Web about the existence of a tablet computing device from Apple. While most of these echo-chamber blog posts are fact-free excursions into wild speculation, the general zeitgeist points to a possibly 10-inch device that may cost $699-$799, and be released either in September, November, or sometime next year--perhaps on the heels of the similar-sounding CrunchPad tablet.

According to Barrons , an anonymous analyst who claims to have had some hands-on time with a prototype would specifically say only, "It's better than the average movie experience, … Read more

BOL 1032: Chat room says no

We could have talked about yet another Apple tablet rumor but the chat room vetoed it. The chat room rulez! We do discuss Google's CEO leaving the Apple board and Microsoft shipping the normal Windows 7 to Europeans. And also robots that can run. That's not a good idea. Especially if they run towards you.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 1032

Google’s Schmidt resigns from Apple board http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10301612-37.html

Microsoft: No browserless Windows 7 after all http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10301299-56.html

FCC’s Speed Shockingly Fast Looking Into iPhone-Google Voice Fiasco http://www.businessinsider.com/fccs-speed-shockingly-fast-looking-into-iphone-google-voice-fiasco-2009-8

AT&T Does Not Manage or Approve Apps for the App Store http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20090803/att-does-not-manage-or-approve-apps-for-the-app-store-though-we-may-bitch-about-the-ones-we-dislike/ http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=22069

Apple tried to silence owner of exploding iPod with gagging order http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article6736587.ece

Analyst claims first hand knowledge of Apple gaming, home media center tablet http://www.9to5mac.com/apple-tablet-september-barrons

Defcon air traffic control hacker: Excuse me while I change your aircraft's flight plan http://deals.venturebeat.com/2009/08/01/defcon-hacker-excuse-me-while-i-change-your-aircrafts-flight-plan/

Verizon drops pricing on almost all existing smartphones to under $99 http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/08/02/verizon-drops-pricing-on-almost-all-existing-smartphones-to-under-99/

Radio Shack rebadged “The Shack” in mobile push http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/08/02/radio.shack.rebranding/ http://www.radioshack.com/theshack/

Robot Runs For Real http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93586-Robot-Runs-For-Real

Ask Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra a question on Buzz Out Loud http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10301736-10.html… Read more

Report: Analyst views Apple tablet, sees Sept. launch

If you've been following the Apple Netbook gossip along with us the last few months, here's the latest tidbit, courtesy of Barron's:

A "veteran analyst," albeit a very anonymous one, has allegedly seen and touched Apple's rumored "slate-style" PC, which we like to call the jumbo iPod Touch. According to Barron's source, the new product will be announced in September, released in November, and carry a price tag of between $699 and $799. As previously reported, the tablet (or whatever Apple plans on calling) is ready to go but has been … Read more