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Microsoft and HP to join tablet frenzy
Microsoft and HP are reportedly set to unveil a tablet device at the Consumer Electronics Show this week, as speculation about Apple’s own much-anticipated tablet reaches fever pitch. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is expected to debut the device during his keynote speech at the Las Vegas event.
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The device is made by HP and uses Microsoft's Windows 7. Some expected it to be the Microsoft Courier, the tablet device with two hinged touchscreens which was unmasked last year. The Courier is expected to feature stylus and fingertip input and use e-ink technology. However, the HP tablet is a more traditional slate which uses multitouch features introduced in Windows 7.
Ballmer gave a brief demo of the device, showing off a full-colour version of Amazon's Kindle e-reader software.
Microsoft’s most recent foray into the tablet market adds further credence to reports that Apple is preparing to launch its own tablet device this month. Though Apple has refused to confirm the existence of such a device, many analysts expect the company to unveil a tablet on January 27.
The decision to launch a device at CES may be an attempt by Microsoft to pre-empt Apple’s own launch. However, commentators say the tablet will have to be impressive to match up to what could be a revolutionary product from Apple. In addition, Microsoft will struggle to counter the whirlwind of hype that has built up around the Apple product.
HP has already made touchscreen devices and has just released a notebook with a touch-sensitive screen that can effectively be converted into a tablet. The device, called the Touchsmart tm2, is the “first convertible notebook PC with multitouch technology designed specifically for consumers”, according to HP.
