Apple ends the rumors and introduces new iPad tablet computer

That's not a super-sized iPod. It's Apple's new tablet computer. And, no, despite months of speculation, it's not called the iSlate. On January 27, Apple finally debuted its long-rumored tablet computer, the iPad. At just 0.5 inches thick and 1.5 pounds with a 9.7 inch screen, the new device will allow users to browse the web, read and send email, look at photos, watch videos, read e-books and much more, according to the company. In addition to what it said were dozens of apps created exclusively for the iPad, it will run the 140,000 or so apps available at the App Store. Additionally, there will be a new iBooks app, which will manage e-books on the tablet. "iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before." The iPad will be available in late March, starting at a suggested retail price of $499. A WiFi/3G combo model will follow the initial introduction sometime in April, the company said.

Expect big things for tablet computer market in 2010

Just days before a recently announced event will be held by Apple to unveil its "latest creation" to select viewers - rumored to be its iSlate tablet computer- a Deloitte research note said that tablet computers will finally capture the attention and dollars of consumers this year. "Tens of millions of people" will buy a tablet computer - termed a NetTab by Deloitte - in 2010, the company forecasted. This new generation of tablets is expected to fill a void left between smartphones and laptops, for users looking for larger screens at lighter weights and prices. "While it is difficult to forecast sales of devices whose specifications are unknown, some analysts estimate 12-month sales from launch of over one billion dollars," Deloitte said. "This is larger than global sales of personal navigation devices." The activity of manufacturers may indicate that they expect big things from these small computers. In addition to Apple's rumored entry, major PC vendors including Hewlett-Packard and Dell have said they will offer tablets. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer showcased HP's Slate at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Is the tablet revolution brewing?

With Apple's iSlate launch imminent and companies from Dell to Verizon talking tablet or touch screen computing, some are already deeming 2010 the year of the tablet, according to a variety of sources. Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Motorola and Lenovo Group were among the companies showing off thin, touch screen computing devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. With Apple's iSate due out this month, these new portable devices, which are packed with multimedia and web-browsing capabilities, are aiming for Apple and trying to fit into the electronic matrix by slotting between smartphones and laptops. "There's going to be tablets of every form and kind coming," Jen-Hsun Huang, chief executive of Nvidia - which makes graphics chips - told Reuters. Huang added that a number of new devices based on Nvidia's Tegra chip are on the horizon, going so far as to call 2010 the beginning of a "tablet revolution." Microsoft - whose Windows 7 will be running many of these entries - believes that the touch technology seen on the tablets will spread to many other PCs. Rising consumer expectations, increasingly affordable consumer electronics and advances in technology are pushing the touch platform along said Bill Buxton, a principal researcher at Microsoft.

Will Verizon take on Apple tablet in 2010?

While 2009 saw the rise of the netbook, 2010 may be primed for the rise - or better yet, the resurrection - of the tablet computer. With rumors of Apple's iSlate - although that name is not official - gaining steam and credence it may be fueling the interest of others to get into the market. In fact, CNET reported that Verizon might be looking closely at entering the tablet or slate fray as it looks to diversify and expand its offerings. "I do think that slates are going to be emerging in rapid succession in 2010," said Brian Ullem, who heads emerging devices for Verizon Wireless. "What remains to be seen is how people use them. And the operating systems that manufacturers and carriers will select." Meanwhile, as Verizon contemplates entering the tablet market, Apple seems closer to the rumored January 2010 launch of its 10-inch iSlate as some of the part suppliers begin to be leaked to the media. . According to evertiq.com, Foxconn's subsidiary Innolux will be producing the 10-inch touch screen for the new iSlate. Other, primarily Chinese and Taiwanese companies have been named in reports to be providing other components of the iSlate.