The end result was a Windows 7 touchscreen tablet that apparently has roughly the same measurements as the iPad. I think it’s safe to assume this device is going to be thicker than the iPad, but could equal it in terms of width and height.
Obviously, the DIY tablet proudly bears the Apple logo.
A few days ago I was talking to a co-worker who is in the market for a computer-like device for his mom. He was deciding between an iPad and a netbook. I asked him what his mom would be using the device for. Turns out she's a fan of Facebook games (among other things). I had to warn him off the iPad (no Flash) but wondered if an Android tablet would work for her. I logged into Facebook and tried to play Farmville on my Android tablet (an Acer Iconia A500). A few minutes later I suggested that my co-worker buy his mom a netbook.
It's now clear that Flash presence on Android is a merely a box on marketing checklist, but trying to actually use it is pretty much pointless.
The new slate -- which Lazaridis described as "the first professional tablet" -- will sport a 7-inch, 1024 x 600, capacitive multitouch display, a Cortex A9-based, dual-core 1GHz CPU (the company calls it the "fastest tablet ever"), 1GB of RAM, and a 3 megapixel front-facing camera along with a 5 megapixel rear lens (and yes, there will be video conferencing).
RIM's advertisements promote new tables as business device. I want to see that. So far iPads serve primarily as a fancy disguise for not paying attention during meetings.
