Following on from yesterday’s article: “Apple iPad: Not Made For Computing”, we’re looking at what tablet computers have to offer. Apple certainly knew that there was no specific need for the iPad touch screen tablet, but they did more than just produce the device, they also created the niche for it. Tablet computers on the other hand, are a completely different. While the iPad could never serve as a substitute for a desktop computer, the tablet PC can handle many of the rudimentary things that are expected of a basic desktop setup.

Asus as recently shown off its new 12 inch touch screen tablet PC that brings users a special touch screen version of Windows 7 Home Premium and enough accessories to turn the tablet into an instant desktop system complete with a dock with ports, and a keyboard –a mouse is not part of the bundle since the tablet is a touch screen device, but that would not stop users from strapping in a USB mouse into the dock.

Overall, it’s a pretty good idea –especially for households that have very little need of high end computers. It is far more portable than a laptop (though you cannot carry the keyboard around conveniently), and solves the complexity of having a separate desktop and laptop device.

For those thinking that this Windows 7 tablet should make for a good iPad substitute, hold your horses. The two devices are not exactly interchangeable. While they do look similar, the ASUS EP121 is a computing device, while the iPad is a media access tablet. The same flaw of the desktop computer still persists in the EP121: slow boot-ups. Unlike the iPhone OS which is a very basic platform, Windows 7 has plenty of drivers and resources that requires to be loaded at boot-up.

Also, battery life is a major concern. Running Windows 7 is no ordinary task, and with a high speed processor, Asus will have to push the limits of its super hybrid battery technology to squeeze out as much power as they can.

While we have yet to see a quantitatively reliable survey regarding the matter, it appears that people never really bother to check with reviews and criticisms. Many Apple sales personnel and other shoppers were surprised to know that some of the people who lined up for the Apple iPad were not fully aware of the capabilities and limitations of the Apple touch screen tablet.

Though no one had mistaken it for an oversized phone, the most common misconception was that it was as good as a mini computer. And while the hardware makes for a semi-decent net-book, it still fails in comparison; the iPad simply is not made for computing.

Desktop publishing is one thing, as it is always easy to handle documents and spreadsheets, but other software that require heavier resources are not really meant for the iPad. In fact, even Apple knows that niche of the iPad –by directly delivering the device to the market that needs it. Despite their best efforts however, there are still plenty who wholeheartedly believe that they can leave their laptops in the storage since they already have a tablet device.

The big difference in the tablet and the netbook is that a tablet is made for viewing digital content, from the internet, to eBooks, to apps and media files, the iPad is the perfect device –simply pick it up and you can instantly access the files you need. Computers on the other hand have a bigger purpose.

Aside from the non-computing purpose, Apple’s policies have also made it such that their products cannot and will not support Flash content –leaving a large percentage of the internet not viewable and inaccessible from devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. On the other hand, the iPads’ rivals will support both HTML5 and Flash content –leaving Apple as the only Flash-unfriendly platform to use.

We already know that the tablet is the next piece of technology that plenty of people are going to buy. It is not something that society needs, but it is certainly something that we would want. Thanks to the iPad, accessing digital content has become so much easier –most particularly with the internet.

Though after a few months, we might be thanking tablet devices in general instead.

It comes as to no surprise that other manufacturers have been working on their own tablet devices (and some for even longer than Apple has). But with the launch of the iPad last April 3, Apple has been able to cement their position as the forerunners of the industry.

In any case here is a quick look at what might be the contenders for the top tablet spot.

It has already been known that Hewlett Packard has been working on their touch screen tablet for quite some time. Using a Windows OS, the HP tablet is expected to function more like a netbook than anything else. It is believed that development of the HP tablet has been heavily hampered before by the lack of power efficient CPUs that are small enough for a portable device.

Google has also been rumored to be working on an iPad rival and of course, will be using their own platform. There have been rumors of both an Android tablet and a chrome Tablet, though it is more likely that the tablet would be using Android and the upcoming Google netbook will be using the Chrome OS.

No word yet from Microsoft’s camp, but if there is a tablet that would be using either Windows 7 or Windows Phone 7 (the mobile platform), this could very well be the high end contender to the Apple throne.

Lastly, it has been said that Nokia is also working on its own tablet (which will be using Windows 7). With the Nokia 3G netbook already out on the market, it comes as to no surprise that they will also try venturing into the tablet industry.

Get to know more about Nokia’s rumored tablet at Mobile Choice UK.

We are still awaiting the full confirmation, but several sources have already mirrored the outcry: Apple is delaying the international release of the Apple iPad. Folks in the UK have been waiting for the device for quite some time and without a doubt, the folks at Vodafone are certainly unhappy about this one month delay.

Instead of just having the launch date pushed back by a week or so, the new launch places the iPad coming out a full month later than expected during the end of May. Original plans were to launch the iPad near the end of this April, but according to the folks at Apple it seems that they are not prepared for the sudden demand for the device and require extra time to gather enough stocks for a worldwide launch.

Many Apple fans are claiming foul at the announcement as no other major Apple device has been delayed in such a manner.

In any case, the iPad is already confirmed to be a definite success as the device has been selling pretty well in the United States. The device was launched in US territory last April 3 and many users have been quite happy with the device (despite a couple of drawbacks).

Web browsing fans and eBook readers all gave the iPad impressively high marks (despite lack of Flash for web users) for the device’s impressive balance of hardware capability and accessibility. Many consider the device’s slim form factor as a major asset as compared to other devices as it makes it more encouraging to pick up and use –unlike bulkier netbooks.

The 10 inch device comes with a 9.7 inch touch screen display and it comes with a web browser, eBook reader applications and other interesting features.

Read more about the Apple iPad international launch delay at Stuff TV.

Steve Jobs looked a lot thinner than usual when he presented the new iPhone 4.0 operating system, but considering how little the new OS actually brings, it makes one wonder what ol’ Steve must have been truly busy with. Simply put, looking at the new features for the OS, there is hardly anything miraculous or astonishing here. In fact, if they said it was version 3-point-whatever, it would have made more sense.

For those who missed out on the presentation, here’s the lowdown on what was said to be the “biggest changes for the OS”.

First off the list is multitasking. Now, if you have never been an Apple device user and have been ignoring all the news about the iPhone, then you might not be aware that Apple has a tendency of depriving users of simple functions that other people take for granted. Take “cut and paste” –it’s a simple thing really, and it will hardly kill RAM when you are just copy pasting text content, but it is one feature that has been absent from the iPhone for a long time before it was put in just a year or so back.

The same applies to multitasking. It has taken Apple almost forever to bring the function into the iPhone and they have yet to implement it in their other devices (such as the iPad tablet and the iPod touch).

Yes, Steve Jobs went onstage and proudly told people they were now allowed to do something normal.

Another new feature is that icons can now be organized into folders and that the all black background can be replaced with an image. While being able to sort out icons does border a little on being a new feature, the ability to change the phone’s background image has been a staple even on the most basic GSM handsets.

Read more and see the videos about the new things on the 4.0 OS at GSM Arena.

The Apple iPad is not a mobile phone. While that may be an understandable thing to be confused about, it turns out that almost 50% of Brits are unaware that the device will not allow you to send or receive calls. This is the result of a recent study done by a UK website as it surveyed 1,300 men and women regarding the Apple touch screen device.

While the results are hardly anything to be worried about, it does show something that Apple missed out on: properly marketing the gadget. Many of us in the tech industry are already aware of the iPad and what it can do, but it is still a foreign concept to the rest of the world. If Apple is hoping that the rest of humanity would just catch on in the next few months, then they might not have the same kind of successful launch like they did in the US last weekend.

The iPad tablet launched in the United States last April 3 and was able to surprise and astound many buyers and reviewers with its amazing features and touch screen controls. Many commented that the web experience on the iPad is hard to match on any device as it combines portability, intuitive controls with high quality browsing.

Even eBook fans were astounded at having a choice of eBook apps to use –Kindle users were still able to access their account thanks to the Kindle app. Apple’s decision to support third party readers certainly paid off.

The device also had its share of drawbacks. The lack of multitasking and Flash support are still issues that users had problems dealing with. Also the screen was too reflective and would often have a bad glare when used in daylight or in locations with bad lighting angles.

Read more about the iPad study at Expert Reviews UK.

For video game players, devices such as the Apple iPhone and iPad are interesting, but ultimately, not dedicated video gaming devices. This is seen not as a matter of having so many features on the device (the Playstation 3 after all comes with a web browser, plays Mpeg 4, music files, views photos, plays Blu-ray discs and DVD movies, used to be able to run Linux …and it also plays games too). The difference between Apple devices and gaming consoles is that Apple lacks significant third party support.

Now, in terms of numbers, Apple has plenty of third party game developers that make tons of apps for the iPad alone. The device has only been out in the United States for less than a week and it already has a library of over 800 games to choose from. It is also backwards compatible with the thousands of games for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

Still, quantity does not necessarily mean quality. Sure, there are a few decent game titles available on the iPad and the iPhone that would be interesting even for hardcore gamers, but in general, the games for the iPad are casual titles meant to burn time instead of actually immersing a player in the game. Though there are some ports of existing good games, there are very few original titles being developed for the iPad tablet.

This means that despite the many games on the iPad, it still lacks the right games. Thanks to the market of the iPad however, this situation is likely to never change. Since the average iPad user is also a casual gamer, we can only expect to see a more diverse range of casual game titles for the iPad.

Get to know more about the new casual games out for the Apple iPad at Reuters.

With the successful launch of the Apple iPad in the United States, it seems like it is only a matter of time before the device finally comes out in the UK. Well, Apple has been kind enough to finally announce a solid schedule: April 24 –and this is going to be an international release. No word yet if there will be anything different on the iPad if it is released in new regions.

If you are planning to get your hands on the device but are not sure on what it does, do not worry, you are not alone. In fact, many of the over 700,000 supposed new owners of the iPad are actually surprised with some of the many features present on the gadget.

To get you acquainted, here is the quick rundown of features. The iPad works as an instant access device to the internet and entertainment media. When you need to browse, look and read up and maybe post a quick reply, blog or Tweet, then the iPad is your go-to gadget. There is no need to flip open your laptop or boot up a computer. Just pick up the iPad and go. For media, you can read eBooks on any e-Reader, view videos and play music on the iTunes app and of course, run applications. The iPad supports iPhone and iPod Touch apps as well as its own library of iPad apps.

In terms of accessories, the best one would have to be the iPhone power adapter that will convert the USB end to a wall outlet –however, until Apple releases an official iPad adapter, be aware that the charge you will get on the iPhone accessory will be slow (but at least you can connect to a wall outlet).

Get to know more about the iPad and its accessories at Macworld.

According to recent reports, the upcoming iPhone 4.0 operating system is about to have its features and capabilities shown off this coming April 8. Just a few days right after the launch of the iPad touch screen tablet, Apple has been sending out special invitations for their presentation of the iPhone operating system version 4.0.

It is no longer a surprise that Apple is announcing this right now, it was already speculated early on that details on the new OS as well as the new phone might be revealed this April. In fact, it is even more surprising that they have not said a word about the upcoming iPhone 4G device itself.

Anyway, owners of the iPhone would be happy to know that the next big addition that version 4.0 will bring is the inclusion of multitasking. No word yet on how device performance will be once users are running several applications at once, but there are plenty of iPhone users who would be willing to tolerate a little slowdown when making use of the multitasking feature.

For Apple users, not being able to enjoy simple features such as cut and paste, multitasking, Flash support or even having a removable battery has been a constant struggle as Steve Jobs and his colleagues are often too stubborn to change things.

Aside from the announcement of multitasking on OS 4.0, there are also rumors that the new iPhone 4G will have a removable battery –a giant leap over other Apple devices that are often closed.

The Apple iPad, despite being a new device, features several of the mentioned flaws such as not having Adobe Flash support, no removable battery and yes, lack of multitasking.

Get the full details on Apple’s upcoming April 8 announcement regarding the iPhone OS 4.0 at Pocket Lint.

If there is one thing that makes the Apple iPad a good purchase, it is because the device does a lot. A lot in the sense that it is not just a glorified web browsing tool or a dedicated eBook reader; it does both and a few other things as well.

That is ultimately what makes the Apple iPad a worthwhile investment.

Right now, there is still no solid market for tablets. Despite the iPad reaching about 700,000 units sold, the fact of the matter is, nobody really “needs” one. What it does however, is deliver the internet, books, media and other content in a manner that we would want: fast and easy.

The iPad is convenient to use. The battery will last for about 10 hours straight which means you can turn it almost anytime and expect to have it running. Using it is simple; no long boot times and no complicated setup screens. If all you need is to go online and check Facebook or a news site, then this is the perfect answer. Lack of Flash does make several sites inaccessible, but fortunately, there are apps for YouTube and other websites to help you out.

For eBook readers, the Kindle is a much better choice. Despite the high resolution, full color display of the iPad, it is heavier than the average eBook reader and the glare on the display get pretty bad depending on the lighting conditions. But that only matters if all you need is a new eBook reader, if you plan to make use of the other iPad functions, then this tablet is the perfect choice.

Overall, the Apple iPad delivers plenty of features on a rough device. Apple will certainly learn to do better with the next tablet they create, but getting this one is still a worthwhile investment.

Read more about the Apple iPad as it compares to the Kindle at Business Week.