HP finally peeled back some layers on its upcoming Windows 7-based slate, and it did so while subtly mocking Apple’s iPad.
A video posted to HP’s Voodoo blog shows a slim, iPad-like device, with a key distinction: It runs Flash. “With this slate product, you’re getting a full web browsing experience in the palm of your hand,” Phil McKinney, vice president and chief technology officer for HP’s personal system group, wrote. “No watered-down internet, no sacrifices.”
It’s worth noting that HP’s blog post appeared shortly after Apple aired iPad ads during the Oscars.
Two videos were also posted to YouTube. The first is a 30-second clip of the slate zooming through Web content, including Flash, set to techno music. There’s also a more in-depth walkthrough with Alan Tam of Adobe product marketing, showing how the slate handles Flash and Air content.
Tam stresses how ubiquitous Flash has become, noting that 85 of the top 100 Web sites, as ranked by Alexa, use Adobe’s content platform, as do 75 percent of all Web videos (a claim that probably requires a caveat: YouTube’s Web site uses Flash, but it has an iPhone and iPad-friendly version). In any case, the point remains that HP slate users won’t be restricted by what Apple chief executive Steve Jobs reportedly deemed to be a buggy platform not worth supporting.
As for the tablet’s other features, HP still hasn’t released full hardware specs, but the touch-friendly interface looks pleasurable to use, with big buttons for navigating to applications and Web content. The HP slate won’t be the only tablet to run Flash, so it’ll really come down to the user experience and hardware if you fancy the idea of tablets but want an alternative to Apple.
7 Comments
Too bad HP, but the industry will adapt to the iPad as they have the iPhone and Touch. Good luck having that kind of influence with this knock off. The emerging HTML technologies make flash irrelevant.
The demo video looks no different from an iPad but its not as sleek (I found the motion & zooming looked "choppy"). However the product is based on an O/S that is notorious for viruses & malware, BSOD's etc. If I was a parent and wanted to get my kid a in internet device, it would be something more secure and reliable like an iPad.
My friend got his daughter a HP netbook only 2 months ago. He's already struggling to clean viruses and malware off it. He wants to restore the factory image but HP doesn't provide it anymore. Great situation. So I have no faith in any Windows based tablet device from HP because of these types of situations, and because of the endless headaches I have dealt with from HP, Windows etc.. over the last decade as a programmer / RD software & hardware engineer / Windows Embedded specialist.
Oh yeah, one other thing. It has been revealed that Flash is not just a problem for Apple platforms, it is a problem for any touch based platform. This is because in a nutshell much Flash web content relies on mouse & mouse-over events. Wonder how HP will deal with that... ?
The industry will adapt to the iPad? You mean websites containing flash will bend over and take it from behind because Apple releases a ho-hum product? Why would anyone adapt to a product that CAN'T do something? Just makes no sense. 1% of the population will have iPad. 99% have PCs that run Flash.
iPad verdict = FAIL
Next item, then? Right, viruses and malware. Sure, Windows has always been the target of idiots who like to write nasty code. That's what happens when you're top dog. If you think the latest OS from Apple is more secure or more virus resistant than Windows, you're crazy.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/security-snow-leopard/
iPAD verdict = Safe because nobody cares enough to write code to hurt it... for now.
Okay, let's talk about the netbook. I just bought a netbook 2 months ago. I also had to uninstall a bunch of software garbage. Gateway put it on, not Microsoft. I also created the App/System Restore DVDs in case I ever needed to start from scratch again. Not sure why HP can't provide the DVD anymore. Maybe your buddy doesn't know what he's doing. Tell him to check user forums or call tech support. He should immediately have created the restore DVDs. Does he not read instructions?
iPad verdict = None on this one. Your buddy is at fault for not creating the backup discs, not HP.
So, in a nutshell, I'd buy this product over the iPad. Why? Because I trust HP 200 times more than I trust Apple.
http://www.thehdstandard.com/general-discussion/hp-slate-to-compete-the-ipad/
Catalin
Professional Streaming Consultant
You are wrong about HP not supplying a factory image. It is on another partition on the hard drive. Hit F11 (or other for his model) while booting to bring up recovery options. Your friend should have been prompted to create the recovery DVDs himself or he can order the DVDs from HP. I do wish they would just give the Windows install disc, though.
BTW, if Apple starts selling enough product, you can bet there will be malware for it. MS Windows is far more popular, that's why malware is written for it. If you don't download questionable / illegal stuff, you are unlikely to get a virus.
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E-Readers and Tablets
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