Microsoft's new HP Tablet PC

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduced Microsoft’s new HP Tablet PC recently.  It is a new touch-screen computer that is looking to rival the tablet PC that Apple Computers is planning to bring out soon.  It was met with great fanfare by people looking forward to novel ideas in tablet Pcs looking out for what Microsoft had to offer in collaboration with HP.

The tablet is in the form of a slate, the whole product being one piece without a physical keyboard.  Steve Ballmer showed it off at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas when he delivered his keynote speech. Tablets running Windows have been on the market for over ten years now, but people are looking forward to HP's new computer because of Apple's expected release at the end of January.  Apple has not commented yet on the rivalry that is being generated, but given the iPhone's success, computer consumers are waiting for the next device that Apple will bring out to see what innovative uses it may have.

Natal – Microsoft’s new technology that allows gamers to control action using their whole body instead of just a joystick is also creating waves in the industry.  Microsoft is also expected to bring out their Xbox console on sale during this season.  Microsoft's entertainment and devices division has announced that the technology allows touch gestures and such natural movements to become part of the mainstream, due to the possibilities of technology nowadays.  Microsoft is planning to make its search engine Bing the default engine, and MSN.com the default content portal for the new HP tablets as part of its new distribution deal.  The tablet will be sold in more than 40 countries.

The HP tablet is essentially a colour e-book reading device that runs Amazon Kindle software.  It will go on the market with a price of approximately $500 sometime during mid-2010.  However, the release was quite disappointing, evident from the fall in HP's and Microsoft's shares given by Business Week.  "This great little PC -- which will be available later this year -- I think many customers are going to be very excited about," said Ballmer. 

Microsoft is clearly in an effort to bridge the gap between smart phones and laptops.  However, it remains to be seen if their device can take a stranglehold on the market as opposed to Apple's iPad.  The challenge involved in this rivalry will obviously be to define to the target audience whether they require tablets, notebooks, or net books, and what criteria should be used to decide which one to buy.  In addition, they will be looking to set their device apart from Kindle readers or iPod touch devices, while at the same time pricing the computer in a reasonable range with reference to their functionality.  However, now, the release of the Slate looks like a scramble to get ahead of the iPad, but it is doubtful as to whether Microsoft and HP will actually be able to steal Apple's thunder and gain control over the tablet PC market.