Many people would want to have a tablet computer. Not a fabulous iPad, which was advertised by the cream of American public and social life including Stephen Fry. But something that will replace their worn-out diary, a pack of topical docs containing very important data for further references, a calendar where all the important events are circled, a note pad for putting down brilliant thoughts and a speedy access to the Web to get the latest mails, organize some video-conferencing or just to chat with a friend. What’s more a form factor is important as it should be something folding, something that can be easily shuffled into a standard case, something that will definitely represent a REAL diary or a notepad as we, humans are painfully accustomed to traditional forms and tend to introduce innovations to familiar objects. 

iPad is a bit an entertainment focused gadget, splendid for web surfing, social networking, image viewing and video streaming. It’s nice to boast of it when in teenagers’ band, to take it to bed with a cup of your favorite tea, a packet of biscuits and a purring pet. But it seems a bit out-of-place in a formal environment when billions-worth deals are discussed and changing nations’ destiny contracts are signed. And in general, iPads are lacking lots of extremely efficient features and abilities including multitasking and outer ports to name a few. What’s more, despite iPad developers‘ efforts to enlarge an already substantial stack of iPad apps, applications essential for work are hardly to appear due to the lack of the audience interest.

Android developers can not take part in this competition as Android tablet device is yet to come and so far is being looked forward to with great anticipation. In general, Android OS environment being based on the Linux kernel gives enormous opportunities for the future tablet. The only thing that stumbles is a good hardware.

Microsoft has cancelled its extremely promising Courier, thus destroying dreams of millions customers that have been yumming over it for half a year, as well as Windows Mobile developers’ intentions to create an apps kit that can become Mobile Office. As there were no official comments on the taken decision, the prevailing public opinion is that the declared technological advancements are out of Microsoft’s scope. The less popular but more optimistic suggestion is that the present moment when the market is saturated with iPads is not the best time to launch a product of the similar line-up. So Courier may come to the market somewhen next year or may be buried among other rejected projects.

HP’s Slate seems a bit more promising taking into consideration that the company has recently acquired Palm inc which has been desperately struggling to survive and compete with the likes of Apple. The most precious thing in Palm’s dowry is webOS, an operating system with true multitasking, a splendid notification system and a good base for further development. But what will come of that partnership is yet unclear as HP’s beigeness can easily kill any ingenious creativity that has been in Palm’s products for years.

To sum it up, an ideal tablet computer has been delayed. Customers are either to follow Apple’s fans path and buy its rather expensive toy (at least, wait until it gets multitasking) or to make it with worn-out diary and a golden Parker ballpoint pen, at least for now.

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