Microsoft to debut tablet PC this week?
The biggest computer talk of 2010 so far has been Apple’s apparent plans to launch a tablet version of the Mac. But it looks as if Steve Ballmer may show off a Microsoft-produced tablet later tonight.
There are widespread reports that Ballmer in his keynote address to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will demonstrate a machine produced in partnership with HP. There aren’t any firm details yet, but it appears the device will have some form of distinguishing features from those already on the market.
There are a couple of leading possibilities for such features. One would be high-end multimedia playback, which would require not just a full-color, high-resolution screen, but the hardware behind it to cope with high definition video formats.
Another possibility would be some form of electronic-reader. If the price is right, that could appeal to people who like the idea of reading books and magazines on the move, but aren’t willing to buy a dedicated device and would require other computer functions.
However, with Amazon’s Kindle so well established, any challenger would need to have major deals with partners both for supplying content and for taking care of the wireless connection for transferring books to the machine over a cellphone network. If Microsoft has set up such deals, it’s done so in comparative secrecy.
Rumors of a Microsoft tablet have been circulating since last September when pictures leaked of a device in development with the working name Courier. That machine had a twin-screen hinged set-up, meaning it could theoretically be used like a book, turned sideways with one screen used as a keyboard, or even folded back on itself to produce a traditional tablet form.
When those reports first surfaced, though, it appeared there was no guarantee the Courier would ever be released. Indeed, some sources specifically stated it would not feature at this years CES.
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