It’s been a feature for months now. The HP Slate; a tablet (ahem, slate) with the brains of a conventional laptop, but the qualities of a true “iPad-killer” (or so it seems). Rumored for a launch early this summer, there’s a major question raised on how the HP Slate could redefine that “gap” between your laptop and smartphone. And here’s how.

The HP Slate will come in two configurations, that is in 32GB and 64GB versions, priced at $549 and $599 respectively (according to the numerous leaks). But space isn’t what’s important. In fact on any of the coming slates, whether it be the ExoPC, HP Slate, Notion Ink Adam, or even the Google Tablet. What will turn the consumer industry inside-out is software and simple but capable, good looking hardware. Take this short (or long if you understand it) example into perspective:

When the iPad launched, there was a major hubbub for its many missing hardware features. Haters ranted on and on about it not having a camera, no SD card slot, and no USB port (a drawback for sure). But when they (and Apple fanboys as they are called) handled the iPad, it was deemed as “magical” and “revolutionary” as Steve Jobs had proclaimed it. Why?

It was because of software. Despite the glitches of simply popping up regular iPhone apps, and making them bigger without devs actually reworking the programming, most people are spellbound at how simple and easy-to-use the iPad OS is. And that’s were competitors will lose or win. In a few months time you will never see a plain copy of Windows 7 slapped onto a multitouch screen and it gets the name slate (and those that do will ultimately fail).

Just like when a new smartphone hits the webs as a leak or rumor, people begin counting down which apps they’ll start downloading. And from the looks of it, the HP Slate will support some kind app functionality, even if it’s JooJoo-style internet bookmarks on your homescreen.

And here’s another entanglement that will occur with the expected launch of the HP Slate: Adobe Flash. It supports it. It loves it. It is it. You can be a thousand percent sure that Adobe will flunk it and say, “Hey Apple! Go screw yourself for real this time!”.  Developers who have their own views on Apple’s banning of Flash on the iPhone OS platform will flock to the HP Slate. That is, of course the HP Slate pulls itself through the software barrier. A great UI overlay for Windows 7 is a must.

Will HP pull it all through?

The official release, early reviews, and consumer response will have that answer. Big companies tend to fail at times when under pressure, and make products fly out the door without really thinking about what they just created. It would be no surprise if the HP Slate turned out to be a major flop, neither would it be a major shock if it turned out to be the “iPad killer”.

Image credit: New York Times

Smokers: Beware! According to an news story published by Consumerist, two Mac owners (who puff their Marlboro with pride and had extended AppleCare warranties) were denied help from Apple when their Macs were in need of service. Why? Because according to the Operational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the nicotine released from cigarettes can be classified as a bio-hazard and exposing your Mac to such conditions makes it contaminated with the chemical, so the Apple Genius employees are within their rights to not work on those machines.  In fact, the two owners wrote to Steve Jobs’ office, and were turned down. The only form of help Apple offered was to take the computers somewhere else to be fixed, on their dollars. So here’s the question: Should Apple be allowed to reject service to your Mac if you smoke, even a little? There isn’t anything about not smoking in the AppleCare agreement.

[BGR via Consumerist]