[LDBoblo]

I suspect this has been done before, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

iPad = interesting even if limited. They've managed decent thin design, good quality screen, good touch interface, good app selection, good battery life, and several other goods, while simultaneously making a lot of "informed" tech people a little disappointed in its limitations.

Were I more patient, I'd not bother. Were I less patient, I'd probably jump for it. As it stands, I'm wondering to myself...is this the best tablet we're going to see this year? I would not be surprised at all if it is, and at the very least it's established itself as the one to beat.

Would a multitouch, Mirasol Kindle fit the bill? What about the grayscale limitations of Mirasol, and Kindle's hardware/software design history? Will they open up their doors more freely to formats, or will they continue to use the device to lock-in customers to their store?

How about Sony? They've expressed interest in playing the game. Will it be a halfassed attempt with no real consideration for usability, as they're known to do from time to time? Will they resolve their apparent incompetence at software design or source out to Google or Microsoft for OS and interfacing? Will they try to attack Apple's product head-on, or will they adopt their "luxury" pricing?

HP's Slate was big news for a few hours, and seems to run a full OS. Will they manage to satisfy on the battery life end? Will touch integration be fully usable? Will the price be competitive?

Notion Ink's Adam has made a splash with many of the people who have seen it, but they have only done vague demonstrations and mockups of Android and Pixel Qi combined. There have been promises, but living up to those promises while posting lofty goals on the blog make me doubtful about their readiness to market. Will people be upset by a 16:9 screen instead of 4:3? Will they manage to use the Pixel Qi display well? Will their software actually cut it, or will it look like a cheap mask on Android? Will they even deliver at all?

Acer? They said they're not playing, and focusing on ultrathin notebooks instead. Could a sufficiently thin and light convertible squeeze into this market space?

Asus? We know they're playing, but the tablet shown at CES wasn't actually used, and seemed a little lackluster. Then there's the reader combo that will be marketed, and has a lot of confusion about it, though the mockups look interesting. Will they manage a good hardware solution? If they can, from what will their OS and user interface spring?

Others seem to be in the game as well, but after seeing Lenovo's rebadged ebook reader offering, it seems clear that there's some trepidation yet in getting involved in this tablet market, from past failures and limitations. As a result, some companies are not going to immerse more than just the tips of their toes.

I'm confident the iPad will be a success, even if not a huge one like the iPhone or iPod. So my question is, who else do YOU think is going to enter this space and actually make a difference?