tablet PCs - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• HP lists HP Slate 500, requests PalmPad trademark

  Hewlett-Packard has listed the Windows-based HP Slate 500 on its website, and also applied to trademark the term Palmpad, fueling speculation surrounding the company's tablet plans.

• Lenovo to release tablet PC at year's end

  After releasing its own handset to compete with Apple's iPhone, Lenovo looks like it may be preparing to take on the iPad. The Chinese company plans on releasing its own tablet PC at the end of the year.

• Apple's iPad to reach nine more countries Friday

  Apple's popular iPad tablet computer will Friday become available in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore.

• Velocity Micro takes on Apple with $US299 Android tablet

  PC maker Velocity Micro on Tuesday announced the $US299 Cruz Tablet computer, a handheld device that is priced significantly lower than Apple's popular iPad tablet, which is available starting at $US499.

• Will the Cius challenge the iPad's potenial in health care

  Last week, Cisco Systems announced its Cius tablet. Weighing 1.15 lbs. with a 7-in. SVGA screen and powered by an Intel Atom processor and Google's Android OS version 2.2, the Cius is designed as part of a range of products for the enterprise that offer integrated solutions for every part of the network, including switches, cloud storage and collaboration tools.

• HP closes Palm deal, confirms WebOS tablet

  Hewlett-Packard on Thursday finalized its acquisition of Palm and confirmed it will use the company's WebOS in future tablets and netbooks.

• Cisco announces business tablet

  Cisco on Tuesday announced the Cius tablet, a handheld device designed to help users run business applications and communicate in real time.

• Sony Ericsson focused on smartphones, but keeps options open

  Despite the hype that's built up around tablet computers and handheld devices with larger screens, Sony Ericsson remains focused on smartphones even as it keeps its future product options open, according to a top company executive.

• iPad and tablet rivals will kill netbooks, says experts

  Apple's iPad may soon put a stake in the heart of netbooks, research analysts said this week.

• Samsung Joins Tablet Frenzy with Android-Based Galaxy Tape

  Samsung is second only to Nokia in global cell phone sales, and recently posted record earnings. However, like Nokia, Samsung has had little to offer in terms of next-generation mobile devices like cutting edge smartphones or tablets...until now. Samsung is jumping into the tablet fray with the Galaxy Tape, expanding the array of tablet devices for businesses to choose from.

• Canonical developing Ubuntu OS for tablets

  Canonical is preparing a version of the Ubuntu OS for tablet computers as the company looks to extend its presence in the mobile space, a company executive said on Wednesday.

• Microsoft's Ozzie mum on tablet plans

  Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie was happy to talk about the history of computing Wednesday at a Silicon Valley event but did not want to talk about its future, as least as far as what Microsoft's plans might be pertaining to tablet computing

• Dell Streak: the details...and the reviews

  Dell is diving headfirst into the smartphone/tablet market with the Android-powered Dell Streak. The Streak was announced last month and will be available for $US500 in the US in July, and for 429 pounds in the UK this weekend. Critics have already circled the Streak and dished on how it functions, looks and feels--and its ability to compete with other smartphones/tablets, a hybrid market I didn't even know existed.

• Intel offers alternative tablet platform

  Intel used the Computex conference in Taiwan to announce new chips aimed specifically at tablets, as well as dual- core Atom processors for more powerful netbook computers. Intel's battle for a share of the tablet market, and efforts to defend its position for netbooks will help drive innovation and keep pricing competitive.

• Compal readies Windows, Android and MeeGo tablets

  The world's second-largest contract manufacturer of laptops is spreading its bets on tablet PC operating systems. It is building tablets running Microsoft Windows, Google's Android, and the MeeGo OS backed by Intel and Nokia.