CES Review, Part 3

PMG President (and resident technology expert) Tommy Hadges continues his review of this year’s CES with notes on one of the most popular technologies at this year’s show: tablet devices.

Based on the incredible popularity of the iPad (7.5 million sold globally), dozens of manufacturers had a tablet computer on display.  Some, with prices similar to the iPad, were quite impressive, with bright displays & easy-to-use touch screens.  Others, at lower price points, had too many usability problems that made them unlikely to generate much consumer interest. 

The most interesting new models came from Motorola (the 10” Xoom will offer 3G & 4G capability, uses the new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system & will be available during the 1st quarter of 2011), Dell (its 5” Streak is for sale now at $550, using the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system), Blackberry (with a 7” PlayBook that will be released during the 1st quarter of 2011 & uses standard Blackberry apps) & Viewsonic (a 7” ViewPad 7 is available now selling for $400, with a 10.1” ViewPad 10 & a 4.1” ViewPad 4 due out later this year).