The Truth About The Tablet Orgy: Part 1

The so-called rumors about Apple’s supposed late January Tablet announcement has the media in a frenzy about the latest consumer tech sector—the tablet. The rumors, which are likely well-thought out leaks from company known not to spend too much on advertising, public relations and marketing, Apple. The Apple tablet is supposed to be either a 7-inch or 10-inch version of the iTouch, but with more capabilities. The truth is, this is just Apple’s ability to bank off what is a larger computer consumer sector—entertainment-based monitor-cum-flatscreen smartbooks, gone mobile.

As we have all observed, Apple is a trendsetter and when they start something, no matter how promising the model may be- or is not, people follow. For Apple, the pitch to consumers is a bigger iTouch with Kindle-like capabilities, one that would slam Amazon. But, the rumors of a $1,000 price tag have many wondering if even the cult-like Apple devotees will pay that price tag. Those that sit on the fence might wonder, like me, if I want something portable, why not get a Netbook for $500 rather than paying $1,000 for a new Apple gadget. The Answer is, access to the apps without a Wireless contract.

But, what will the other tech companies do to continue to compete? They will, as usual, follow suit.

According to a report from The Baltimore Sun, which found a patent application filed in December 2009, the Apple iSlate tablet is a “portable multifunction device” that will have 3D graphics and touch capabilities. According to Fortune, the Apple tablet will compete in the e-reader space, one that was pioneered by Amazon, but will soon be joined by Barnes & Nobles, who will soon release the Nook.

Hewlett-Packard might sell a tablet computer that would have multimedia and touch capabilities. Sources say it could be on sale by the middle of this year. In fact, the CES expo led to the HP announcement that it would sell the new HP TouchSmart tm2, a touch-enabled notebook PC encased in an aluminum design, for $949. It also revealed the other January release, HP Mini 5102, its first touch-enabled netbook. The Mini will sell for $399 and will come in black, red or blue and boasts features such as face recognition for log-on.

While many companies are hoping to get a tablet in stores before Apple defines the market, one analyst said price point could be a defining factor. So, if it’s a price tag you’re after, you might be interested in the PC World report that referred to a possible tablet release from Freescale Semiconductor, which would be lightweight and might feature a 7-inch touch screen, a  3-megapixel camera, an ambient light sensor, a 1GHz processor, 512MB of ram, WiFi, Bluetooth, –all for about $200!

Finally, who could forget Google? Gizmodo cites Smarthouse, an Aussie publication, which is reporting that the search giant has been working with the Taiwanese hardware company HTC for months. Rumor has it they are working on a Chrome OS Google Tablet.

At the end of the day, this truly becomes a luxury item, one best used for entertainment while traveling. While a computer is purchased for the speed of the processor, the memory to store files, and the physical keyboard, a smartphone is purchased for size and email, and a tablet is purchased for portable entertainment, in the palm of your hand. For both manufacturer and buyer, the most important things to consider in this case may be: 1) e-book or not, 2) above or below $500, and 3) memory cap.