Latest Inventions

posted by admin on Jan 7

Just a quick update on the story of the Apple iSlate that is being talked about…..

Apparently, Microsoft have just unveiled THEIR new slate pc - a Hewlett Packard model about the size of a large paperback! 

They got it out for a look see at the Consumer Electronics Show in Law Vegas, along with 2 other versions: A much larger model from Archos and a slightly longer model made by Pegatron Corp.

Now, whether they did this after all the speculation about the iSlate, or the speculation about the iSlate began after Microsoft booked the stand at the CES makes no difference - they are both due out later this year: but no dates have been given yet for either!

Microsoft’s offering makes use of their very successful Windows 7 software - which turned out to be the fastest selling operating system ever!  Apparently it offers all the same user-friendly technology as a laptop and smartphone - books, music, movies and other applications, but no exact specs have been given.

So, we still have to wait to see what Apple have got up their sleeve at the end of the month before a direct comparison can be made between the 2 - so watch this space……

AND - the Kindle is planning to launch in a bigger size soon as well - the Kindle DX - but will we need it if the new slate computers run the Kindle software?  Keep the smaller one for reading on the move - and use the larger slate pc for at home on the sofa!

posted by admin on Jan 3

There is lots of speculation - but nothing confirmed?

Seeing as the netbook niche has been so popular - and people aren’t put off by the size of the iPhone, it seems as though Apple are going to merge the 2 ideas and create a giant version of the iPhone - about the size of a closed netbook!

The iSlate seems to be the name in the media at the moment - and apparently Apple have already brought the domain name iSlate.com - so are they right?

Apparently Apple have recently released the patent details for such a gadget, but still the details are not certain. 

The ‘Facts’
Well, a 10.1 inch touchscreen display seems to be the most talked about quality of this new gadget, (or possibly a 7 inch smaller version) but writers are also speculating about it having an embedded front facing webcam as well - which would certainly be a nice touch.

The keyboard would be on the screen itself, with the potential for slightly raised areas within the screen to identify where certain ‘home keys’ are if not all keys having raised lips.

Also, it would have internet access - probably wi-fi - with access to iTunes as well as films, TV and books - making it a huge ebook reader!

Apparently rumoured to run on the iPhone OS software, this tablet computer should have all the standard features of any other laptop or netbook.

It is also rumoured that an industry insider reported that Apple are already in the process of making up to 10 million iSlate tablet computers for release this year; 2010.

The Idea:
Some of the mock-up images of the iSlate look amazing with a magazine front cover on it, or some photo’s of friends, but how will you carry it around?  Yeah, ladies can put it in their purse - but it won’t be fitting in any-one’s jean pocket - so will it be as social as the iPhone currently is?

Without a ‘lid’ so to speak - will it be practical for use and transporting around between meetings or when on vacation?  The screen could be up for a real hard time - unless it stays at home like a coffee table ‘book’ used for parties, get-togethers or instead of the TV!

And the cost will certainly be around the same as a small netbook as well - or more for all the Apple specific features - so people are guessing at around $800 to $1000 for an estimated price.

The Launch:
Apple have apparently rented a stage at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco for an announcement about a ’major product launch’ on January 26th, 2010.

And there is apparently an artists impression of a possible Apple Tablet computer on a Clearwire site showing all the other Apple gadgets! Interesting indeed.

See you at the end of the month!