Now that the CrunchPad is dead, there had to be something that took up the space of a rumored tablet that is more attainable that Apple. After all, if there has been only one thing that has kept everyone from going completely nuts over the Apple Tablet rumors — it is the expected price of the devices.
Asus has had no such problems with their devices. They have in fact been responsible for bringing the current favorite for bargain hunters — the netbook. So they are known for making cheap devices. And they are also known for making a variety of devices. Starting from full-fledged laptops to netbooks, nettops, all-in-ones and more, including-that netbook-in-a-keyboard device — they have everything that an average customer could want.
So the rumors now suggest that they are also making a web-based tablet that will have 4 to 7inch touchscreen. Now that would be pretty delicious. Asus already has experience in making touchscreen devices like the Eee Keyboard and the Eee PC T91 and T91MT. So if they do make a tablet, it should be pretty decent. The OS is always a problem. But even then can be solved with Windows 7 and its multi-touch capabilities and touchscreen interface.
The news of Asus making a tablet is currently a rumor from the gossip lovers over at Digitimes. They may not have the best of track records for being correct but they have recently leaked some pretty accurate stuff. Plus, the reason that their posts suggests is a compelling one. The company is apparently releasing this device simply as a reaction to Apple’s upcoming tablet.
You know, when a company can invoke such a response from its competition with a device that has not been announced — that company is doing something pretty right.
Coming back to the rumor, it seems like the chosen name for this device is Eee Pad. Even if that is not the official name, I am fairly certain that the final product will have more resemblance to the Eee series than anything else that Asus has created. After all, what we need is something cheap and useful, not something that will make your wallet bleed.
Of course, this does not mean that they are halting their progress with the dual touchscreen eBook reader either. So what we will ultimately have is a range of products that have touchscreens. My guess is that out of that — only one or maximum two will stick. And the tablet will likely come out the winner if Asus does not botch it up too much. After all, who wants a one-trick dog when you can have the blue ribbon awardee. And the Eee Keyboard would come in real handy in shops, so that might stick too. But these eBook readers will take a fast hike to neverland once the true tablets start rolling out.
I mean with technologies like Mirasol and Pixel Qi’s hybrid LCD-eInk displays, the future generation tablets are likely to be thinner, lighter and much longer lasting. Plus, flexible OLED panels are in the making as well. It will be another revolution of thinness when those hit.
So over all, Asus’ tablet idea (if they really have one) is going to be a winner if they can play it right. The market could use a proper tablet from a reliable company and I would say Asus has the right kind of experience with pleasing the demographic I am talking about — bargain hunters who really cannot and will not spend much and yeat want full-functionality.
