14 DAY TRIAL // When the iPad was first introduced, it stirred a series of mixed feelings in end-users. While its media and e-reading capabilities earned it a few points, the device was unable to strike awe in consumers because there were two serious so-called limitations. One was the inability to multitask, which essentially means that, when reading an e-book, for instance, end-users won't be able to listen to music. The second major factor was the iPad's lack of support for Adobe Flash Player, which means that all the Flash content on websites is unsupported. Eager to exploit this element in its favor, HP actually laid emphasis on Flash, with its latest video focusing on demonstrating Flash support on its upcoming slate.
The video demonstration of the HP tablet's Flash (enabled by Windows 7) support was released on the net just a few days before the first iPad commercial aired at the Oscars. The video lays emphasis on how widespread Adobe's video platform is on the web, stating that 75% of all websites use it and that no less than 85% of Alexa's Top 100 sites employ Flash extensively. The video shows the HP slate playing online videos and Flash-based games, among other things, all the while using what looks to be a rather responsive touch input.
“With this slate product, you’re getting a full Web browsing experience in the palm of your hand. No watered-down Internet, no sacrifices. We just posted a quick video showing some more of what that’s like as well as how the slate device will work as an eBook reader. Enjoy the short clip (and the techno soundtrack),” Phil McKinney, vice president and chief technology officer for HP’s personal system group, said on the company's blog.
Unfortunately, the company did not give any more information on the device. In fact, besides more closely demonstrating Flash support, HP did not mention anything specific regarding the hardware or its pricing and availability. We are left with what the company gave us last time it released a video demo, namely the statement that it would have a price point aimed at the mainstream and that it would be released in 2010.
“We could have released a slate two years ago, but it would have cost somewhere around $1,500. Since then, chip and screen advancements have given us the ability to create a product that can hit a size, weight, battery life and price point that will make this product a mainstream offering,” McKinney said previously.