MICROSOFT chief executive Steve Ballmer previewed several tablet-style computers at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas yesterday, but the anticipated launch of an Apple tablet-slayer did not eventuate.
Microsoft confirmed partnerships with manufacturers including Pegatron, Archos and HP, and Mr Ballmer briefly demonstrated the HP slate prototype, which will run the Windows 7 operating system. But he stopped short of announcing a major push into tablet, or slate, computers.
The omission gives Apple, which is expected to unveil its slate product later this month, the chance to set the standard for tablet computers, much as it did with the iPhone.
Tablets are expected to compete with electronic readers such as Amazon’s black and white Kindle but with added advantages such as colour, touch-screen capability and other features in line with netbook computers.
Read more at The Australian.
