OK, maybe it’s not exactly this HTC Shift review that’s got me rethinking things, but it does add one more feather to the cap.
I miss a good slate Tablet PC–even a good slate UMPC. I want something super thin–at least on par with the NEC LitePad–that’s very light (under 2 pounds–close to 1 pound), has great connectivity, lasts more than 2 hours on a fresh battery, and a great multi-touch experience as well as pen support. And I’d like all this for under $1000.
Why do I still feel like I’m dreaming?
I’m not.
This has got to be possible given today’s technology.
How would I use such a device? If it’s close to 10″ in size, it would become my companion notetaking machine. With Live Mesh on the cusp, I’d do whatever I can to make connectivity work while working. In the meantime, EverNote would probably become my most used app, because of its note sharing support. This would get me going.
For a smaller form factor–let’s say in the 5 to 7″ range–I’d use it more as a carry-everywhere Internet browser. In this case, I’d need battery life of at least 4 hours continuous use.
Why am I wanting a great slate again? Because I’ve had to switch much of my development back to a desktop and I desperately miss inking. Yes, I use my M700 Tablet PC all the time too, however, when I’m at the desktop a slate is a better match. Also, after using the iPhone so much for browsing, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need a bigger browsing device. So that’s where a 5″ or so device fits in.
Am I asking for too much? Probably. I know I’m going to have to wait for the rest of the market to catch up and drive demand. My other hope is that Apple will get into the mix here and stir the market up. Maybe a little healthy competition will get things going.