Windows 7 - Does W'dows need more padding to fend off Apple's iPad?

See my bolding. For this the iPhone or Blackberry for that matter, are far more sensible. I do both on my Blackberry Curve and it is far more portable. I've seen the browsing on an iPhone and must say that this is even better. However, how do I put that iPad in my shirt pocket? Again, I really think that Apple hit the Fail ball with this one. There might be a few (million) that get one to look cool, but I really hope someone comes out with something more useful in that form factor.

PhreePhly

Yet more apple junk. I'd much prefer my sony ultraportable in my sig. It squashes the I-waste-of-money in power and is less than 1.6kg with adaptor.

Right so lots of Apple bashing. And it is well deserved.

I would like to rip on them, etc, but most of it has already been said. Instead, I present a list of ideas that I (both as a Computer Technician and University Student) think would be AMAZING in a Tablet (and therefor making my buy one):

*About the rough size of a 10-13 inch laptop (with screen stretching mostly all of that)
*Thick enough to be comfortable to hold (and drop) without feeling like you will crack it (see iPod Touch...)
*Handwriting recognition (great for college) that will convert handwriting to type with a click
*Built in speaker and mic (voice recognition would make this handy, a mic port better)
*Headphone, mic, and USB port, as well as power
*Removable battery (LiPo = amazing, but explosive)
*OPTIONAL stylus (see handwriting)
*MULTI TOUCH AND TASK... Not worth buying AT ALL without
*Battery sufficient to play music through headphones and browse web, and use another office style app
*Possibly fold up, or reduce in size? Not required, but could be considered.

Lets get a list going, I am sure I could keep going.

~Lordbob

I don't think these devices will even support styluses. If they did, and they supported handwriting recognition, I can see how this device might be handy.

However, I'm guessing (I haven't done the research) that this device is heat sensitive (not touch/pressure sensitive), which means you'll have to use your finger to touch the screen. This is obviously the case with iPhones.

I really can't see this device being much of a hit.

Indeed it would be. There may be a way to get a stylus to work with it, just not sure how. Maybe a Pen with a heated tip...

~Lordbob

I'm pretty sure that it is a capacitive screen (recognizes electromagnetic fields emitted by organic matter or something), so it can use a stylus that emits a field kinda like the stylus included with the axiotron modbook.

Hi all
The only thing I would consider a Pad like device for would be the ability to take notes on it and possibly have something like a Scanner / Bar code reader attached to where a webcam would sit.

That type of device could be quite useful in Stocktaking or other areas where the current hand held devices are fairly limited.

A MUST is the ability to save / copy data to an external device such as a USB stick or HDD.

Without these capabilities I have a feeling this product is dead in the water already.

Of course it will sell a few - people will always buy something - but as a Moneymaker -- well it might on Apps and the Service costs of the applestore connections and internet access.

I mean these days who would use this type of device for Internet Access when you have to PAY a monthly fee - probably limited to mobile phone bandwidth.

When I travel now most WI-FI connections in hotels are FREE.

Cheers
jimbo

I'm just going to wait and see where it actually thinks it fits in,in the marjet place before I make any real statements on it. Although I really don't think it is one of apples better ideas, it pales in comparison to the say iPhone. IMO. fabe

Why should Windows "defend" against the iPad when you can run Windows 7 ON the iPad?

Windows 7 On an iPad? Yes You Can - PCWorld Business Center

Feel free to post this as a news article.

I stand corrected.
The iPad has access to a decent OS.
Nof if only it had AT LEAST a USB port and SD card slot that wasn't sold as a dongle.