vowe dot net :: Exclusive: IBM to compete with Apple iPad

Exclusive: IBM to compete with Apple iPad

by Volker Weber

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This was lost in a beer garden today. A first prototype of the new IBMPad. It will initially be sold through the London Developer Co-op for 499 €. Full release after the break:

As sole European re-seller, the London Developer Co-op today introduced IBMPad, a revolutionary device for drawing squiggly lines, which also acts as a pleasant companion device to reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading books, and much more. IBMPad's responsive high-resolution Multi-Multi-TouchTM display lets users physically interact with content via two beautifully calibrated rotary controls. IBMPad is just one inch thick and weighs a fair whack— fatter and heavier than most laptops or netbooks—and includes a new innovative app designed especially for Multi-Multi-Touch.

IBMPad will be available sometime, starting at the breakthrough price of just €499.

“IBMPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said someone. “IBMPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their pictures in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

The app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically letting the user rotate IBMPad in any direction. The precise Multi-Multi-Touch interface makes drawing dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer.

IBMPad syncs with paper, using a standard pencil-eye interface, and boot time is magically instantaneous.

IBMPad's brilliant 5 x 7 inch display features Magic PixieTM technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent monochrome with an ultra-wide viewing angle. The highly precise, rotary-interactive Multi-Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether drawing or shaking.

IBMPad is powered by funny wee magnet things (probably) and aluminium fairy dust, in tandem with IBM's next-generation stylus-on-a-piece-of-plastic. The custom controller provides exceptional graphics performance along with a long life of up to forever.* IBM's advanced chemistry and Adaptive ShakingTM technology deliver lots of shake cycles without a significant decrease in capacity or display over a typical 1 - 100 year lifespan (who can say).**

Pricing & Availability

IBMPad will probably be available at some point, for a suggested retail price of €499. IBMPad will be sold in Europe through the London Developer Co-op (http://londondevelopercoop.com/). International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date.

* We made this up. But really, who's going to challenge us on this?

** We made this up too. So sue us.