As we watch company after company announce that they are bringing a slate to the market, it is clear that gadget makers are pushing this form factor as the next big thing. There is plenty of noise out there, but so far there are very few solid devices that are actually reaching consumers. Soon we’ll be looking at a storm of tablets hitting the market, and here is a roundup of the three that I think will have a significant impact on the future of this category and may end up going head-to-head in this emerging device space.
1. Apple iPad
If you didn’t see this coming… well you should have. There is evidence out there that Apple’s mythical slate is the impetus behind this surge of slates. People we’re juxtaposing it with the Joojoo before they even knew that the iPad existed. Apple has the tangible lead on the touch experience on the iPhone and iPod Touch, and now they will be working their magic to translate that to a 9.7 inch screen. The iPad will run a modified version of the iPhone OS (which is in itself a stripped down version of OSX). Apple has two a distinct advantages over the other two companies producing the devices listed below. 1) Huge content library and content partnerships. 2) Lots of money for marketing.
Price: $499-$829
Availability: April 3rd
Official Site: http://www.apple.com/ipad/
Strengths:
- Apple’s renowned industrial design
- Interface based on lots of touch UI experience and Apple’s usual user-friendliness
- Partnership with AT&T for $30/month no contract 3G data plan
- Lots of built in memory (16/32/64GB)
- iTunes/iBooks content library
- 150,000 (iPhone) apps at launch
- Likely one of the first major products to market
Weaknesses:
- Pricey on top-end models
- Restrictive OS (for developers and users)
- No Flash
- No webcam
- Will take time for devs to create ‘killer’ iPad specific apps
- No USB or SD card slot