Touch Technologies: Chrome

The iPad is already impressing as a gaming platform. Games such as Need For Speed 2 and Mirror’s Edge are selling well and shared gaming is appearing as a standard feature in suitable games. For instance, there’s a very slick Scrabble application for the iPad, with the extra option of letting everyone keep their tiles secret by connecting to the iPad via their mobile phones. Tabletop RPG players also seem to be more than impressed with the iPad’s ability to swallow dozens of hardback books, which can then be passed around the table using the iPad.

There’s a whole lot more to come in devices and interfaces that are only just taking off. Despite that, it’s safe to say that the iPad is unlikely to become the tablet of choice for students, parents, schools, libraries and universities amongst others. Price is the main problem, as the iPad follows Apple’s standard ‘premium’ model and costs quite a bit more than comparable technologies, which are already becoming available.

Microsoft’s touch tablet offerings also show few signs of being pitched at mass markets. Like Apple, Microsoft are currently talking in terms of $500+ tablets. Instead, as anticipated, hopes for cheap, feature-packed touch tablets rest with mobile phone providers and Google. The first images of Google’s Android and/ or Chrome-based tablets appeared a few days ago and have been followed by a statement from Google.

Android-based devices should appear first but a full Chrome OS system is expected by early 2011. Prices are expected to fall between $300 and $400, representing a substantial saving compared to the current cost of an iPad. The smart move for Microsoft and Apple would be to offer a worthwhile option at $400 by the time Chrome OS appears.