A Real Mac Tablet – Sorta

By Matt@smalldog.com

Axiotron and Other World Computing announced yesterday that they will be independently manufacturing and marketing a tablet mac. Conventioneers at MacWorld next week will be able to see, use, and handle these “ModBooks” at booth #S2218.

To be clear, these tablet devices are not manufactured by Apple. Though the press release doesn’t specifically state it, I can only imagine that these are modified Apple laptops. They have a Wacom LCD tablet attached somehow, with which you can use any Wacom stylus and take advantage of OS X’s built-in handwriting and gesture recognition software, Inkwell (notably, this is the same technology found in the Newton). Of particular note is the ability to add an integrated GPS device!

Surely there’ll be tons of great stuff exhibited at MacWorld. The Stevenote this year is two hours long instead of the usual 60 or 90 minutes. A lot can be covered in that additional time. Maybe we’ll get a look at the “top secret” features of Leopard now that Vista is released, and see a final version of the iTV. Stay tuned to Barkings for constant updates during the convention.

By Matt@smalldog.com