Microsoft Tablet Show off to Competitor iPad

Monday (7/12/2010), Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is exhibiting a computer tablet with Windows 7 operating system. He said that more than 20 producers are prepared to release a tablet device to rival Apple's iPad.

A computer tablet with Windows platform has a compact size, can be gripped, and equipped with wireless access. Microsoft partners making the tablet are including Acer, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and a dozen other PC makers. Whether intentionally or not, HP's name is not mentioned, In fact, HP was the first partner who previously exhibited as a designer of Microsoft's tablet computer called the Slate.

"This year is a year which is very important to us because we want to make some major changes in the categories of smart devices using Windows 7," Ballmer said as he opened the Worldwide Partner Conference.

At the same conference, Microsoft also announced a new partnership with eBay, Fujitsu, and Dell to test Microsoft Windows Azure cloud as a services platform. Basically, this technology will help companies manage their computing power and data over the Internet without having invested in each device used.