iOS was released to the public in June 2007. Android's first beta was released in November 2007.

If you're talking about OS X (which shares the same kernel as iOS) it's only been around since roughly 2000. OS X is completely different than the old Mac OS versions. If you really want to be nerdy and say that OS X is just Unix and it's been around for around 30 years I'd agree.

Windows RT would have been much more interesting it it had been Metro (or whatever they are calling it now) *only*.

As far as the application argument goes, "apps" as we've come to call them represent a new generation of software and I don't think it's necessarily fair to compare them to traditional desktop applications. That goes regardless of what platform you're talking about. When people talk about wanting "apps" they're probably talking about software that works on a tablet that doesn't include things included in the traditional Windows/OS X/Gnome/KDE user interfaces.

And Kaplin, I've never said that tablets will fully replace laptops or desktops for many purposes. For lots of people in a number of situations a tablet of some kind works as well if not better for them than a laptop. It's the whole truck vs. car analogy. Trucks and full computers are good for heavy tasks. Cars and tablets are better for other things.

Put a different way, if all I'm going to do when I'm away from the office is reading or writing then a tablet works just fine for me. If I need to work on a spreadsheet or crunch some real data then I need at least a laptop if not something bigger. That means that my iPad has replaced a laptop for me when I'm going on weekend trips but it sure as hell hasn't replaced my Precision M4500 laptop or T3500 workstation for other work.

It's funny, because when the iPad was first released, a lot of us were hoping for an OS X based device, rather than iOS. Now that the market has been set with that "type" of device, many people, including myself, are doubting whether such a market exists - at least right now.

We'll see. I wish Microsoft well, and I probably have some bias against them. Innovation is good though. I think their marketing is so confused they'll struggle to find any meaningful market share though.

Pretty cool new system for Kindles...

https://whispercast.amazon.com/

btw.. I agree with those here that see no use for a $500 Windows Rt tablet. just seems silly to me... but apparently others don't agree...

http://seattletimes.com/html/microso..._sell_out.html

of course, we don;='t know how many were available for preorder... could be a ridiculously small number.

IF Google really is launching a few new tricks at this event... gonna be a huge season for tablets starting in November...

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ga...ices-1C6532066

I can't see Google dropping the price to $99 on the Nexus 7. If they do, it will sell like hotcakes though.

I don't think we'll see $99 either. The at cost price for a quality tablet is around $200. Unless they'll go the advertising route, but that doesn't flesh well with the Nexus "developer" brand.

A couple guesses:

That invitation looks like Google Now. So I think it's fair to say we'll see more there.

Also, the playground is open? More content deals maybe (please...)?

Any Android device is already going the advertising route.

Google is already significantly limiting their profit with the Nexus line.

Dropping the price even more is great for the market overall, but I can't think Google can/would continue to lose more money on it by going with a lower price point. I mean, they obviously have the equity to absorb it right now. But eventually they need to make some money to justify the market participation and encourage further inovation.

not to mention pissing off other android tablet manufacturers.

To be clear, Google does NOT lose money on the Nexus 7.. they don't make a whole lot, but it isn't sold at a loss. The rumor is that they will release a Nexus 7 II with better specs at the $200 price point and discount the old one (or have a new stripped down one) at $99. But it is a completely unfounded rumor, just some random dudes guessing at this point.

If by some miracle they do release a decent $99 tablet... or hell even a $149 tablet.. they should sell the bejezes out of them if they aren't total crap on the specs.

It has to be damn close when you factor in marketing, and all. Google had one goal with the Nexus - to prove that Android could work as a tablet. They were getting annoyed with shit, overpriced products and with Amazon.

But the Nexus has been out for what, six months? Maybe we'll see a 32 gig version, but I don't think Google will do anything more. As for 10in tablet, I don't know. But Google has never been good at keeping secrets, and we haven't seen anything there.

I think this announcement will be content based, and not hardware (other than new Nexus phone, which has been leaking for ages).

So, should I wait on a Windows8 tablet to come out for my business or go with an Ipad or Android Tablet?

American Airlines pilots are using iPads.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/...ases_of_flight

as are many other pilots, including the Air Force.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/many-pilots...n-the-cockpit/

Just please god make sure they turn them completely OFF during takeoff or landing. Those things are a hazard to airline safety!