Wintel tablets to retail for $600-900?

DigiTimes heard x86 tablets with Windows 8 may be priced from $599 to $899:

Wintel-based tablet PCs may see their prices go as high as US$599-899 due to Intel and Microsoft both being unwilling to drop their related hardware and software quotes, and as a result, it could push consumers from wanting to purchase the devices, according to sources from notebook vendors.

As for Intel and Microsoft, the sources pointed out that Intel and Microsoft are also struggling since if Microsoft drops its Windows 8 and Intel drops its Clover Trail-W prices, although the strategy could help raise Wintel-based tablet PC's market share, it could also seriously damage pricing in the PC market and bring down their gross margin performance.

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Tablets with Retina-quality screens to arrive in 2012

X-bit Labs reports next-gen tablets may get screens with a resolution as high as 2048 x 1536 pixels:

Increasing demand for high information content and multimedia capability in mobile devices continues to drive flat panel display resolution to higher levels of pixel density. For example, the next generation of tablets may get screens with 2048*1536 resolution. As a result, the average pixel density of flat panel displays is expected to grow over the next few years.

At present panel makers are developing ultra-high resolutions, such as 2K (2048*1556) or 4K (4096*2160) for TVs and QXGA (2048*1536 pixels) for tablet PCs. According to the latest report from DisplaySearch, the average pixels per inch (PPI) of large-area (over 9.1�) TFT LCDs will increase from 88ppi in 2010 to 98ppi in 2015, while average ppi for small/medium (less than 9.0�) TFT LCDs will grow from 180 to 210 over the same period. Mobile phones are the most obvious driver of increasing ppi due to growth in smart phones, with displays like 3.5� 960*640 resolution (330ppi), 4.3� 800*480 (217ppi) and 1280*800 (330ppi).

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ASUS will not aggressively price its tablets

ASUS CEO Jerry Shen revealed the company will not compete with price in the tablet market:

Commenting on market watchers' expectation that Asustek Computer will soon drop its tablet PC price and delay the launch of the next generation Eee Pad Transformer, Asustek CEO Jerry Shen pointed out that the company currently has no intention to cut the price of its first-generation Eee Pad Transformer and is set to launch its second-generation model on schedule with a price point at US$499.

With RIM and High Tech Computer (HTC) have both recently reducing their tablet PC prices to attract consumers, market watchers expect Asustek to be the next player to drop its tablet PC price and the decision could delay the launch schedule of the company's second-generation Eee Pad Transformer.For 2011, Asustek is maintaining its shipment forecast of 1.5-2 million tablet PCs.

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Adobe teases six touch apps for Android tablets

Adobe released details about six upcoming touch apps for Android devices, they will be released in November for $9.99 per app. It includes Adobe Collage, Debut, Ideas, Kuler, Proto and Photoshop Touch (pictured below).

At its MAX 2011 technology conference, Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe� Touch Apps, a family of six, intuitive touch screen applications, designed for Android tablets and Apple iPad that enable anyone to explore ideas and present their creativity anytime, anywhere. Inspired by Adobe Creative Suite� software, these stunning new apps bring professional-level creativity to millions of tablet users. The apps address multiple areas of the creative process: image editing; ideation; sketching; mood boards; website and mobile app prototyping; and presenting finished work. They are headlined by Adobe Photoshop� Touch, a groundbreaking app that brings the legendary creative and image-editing power of Photoshop to tablet devices for the first time.

Available soon as standalone apps, Adobe Touch Apps are essential components of Adobe Creative Cloud, a major new company initiative also announced today (see separate release). Adobe Creative Cloud will become a worldwide hub for creativity, where millions can access desktop and tablet applications, find essential creative services, and share their best work. Files created via Adobe Touch Apps can be shared, viewed across devices or transferred into Adobe Creative Suite software for further refinement � key features of Adobe�s vision for the Creative Cloud. With stylus capabilities expected to become a key feature on some next generation tablets, Adobe Touch Apps are designed to work with both finger and stylus input.

�Adobe Touch Apps deliver high-impact creative expression to anyone who has a tablet,� said Kevin Lynch, chief technology officer, Adobe. �With Adobe imaging magic coming to tablet devices, new apps like Photoshop Touch will open your mind about the potential of the touch interface for creativity and demonstrate that tablets are an essential part of anyone�s creative arsenal.�

Adobe Touch Apps Redefine Creative Software
Anticipating the way people are integrating tablets into their everyday lives, the new family of Adobe Touch Apps empowers users to create on tablet devices (see below for supported devices) freeing them from the desktop or laptop computer. The new Adobe Touch Apps include:

Adobe Photoshop Touch lets users transform images with core Photoshop features in an app custom-built for tablets. With simple finger gestures, users can combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits and apply professional effects. The tablet-exclusive Scribble Selection Tool allows users to easily extract objects in an image by simply scribbling on what to keep and then what to remove. With Refine Edge technology from Adobe Photoshop, even hard-to-select areas with soft edges, such as hair, are easily captured when making selections. Additionally, the app helps users quickly find images, share creations, and view comments through integration with Facebook and Google Search. Using the syncing capabilities that are a component of Adobe Creative Cloud, files can be opened in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Collage helps creatives capture and refine ideas and concepts by allowing them to combine inspirational images, drawings, text and Creative Suite files into modern, conceptual mood boards. Features include importing of images, four customizable pen types for drawing, adding text, and applying color themes. A virtually unconstrained canvas grows as needed to accommodate more assets. Files can be shared or transferred for access in Adobe Photoshop.

Adobe Debut allows users to present designs to clients and stakeholders virtually anywhere. Adobe Debut quickly opens tablet-compatible versions of Creative Suite files for convenient and beautiful viewing on the tablet, including Photoshop layers and Illustrator� art boards. Feedback is gathered using a markup pen tool to add notes and drawings on top of the work.

Adobe Ideas is an easy-to-master, vector-based tool for drawing. By using a stylus or finger, strokes appear smooth at any zoom level. Starting with a blank canvas, users can choose color themes, and pull in tablet-compatible image files that can be controlled as separate layers. Finished results are easily accessed in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.

Adobe Kuler makes it easy to generate color themes that can inspire any design project. Color can be explored and discovered, with hundreds of thousands of Kuler themes already available via the creative community. Social engagement in the community is enhanced by rating and commenting on themes, which can be exported as color swatches for Adobe Creative Suite projects.

Adobe Proto enables the development of interactive wireframes and prototypes for websites and mobile apps on a tablet. Ideas are communicated and shared with teams and clients using a touch-based interface. Gestures quickly express a design concept, explain website structure or demonstrate interactivity. The wireframe or prototype then can be exported as industry standard HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and shared in popular browsers for immediate review and approval.

Adobe Touch Apps build on the launch of Adobe Carousel, the only photography solution that gives access to your entire photo library across your tablets, smartphones and desktops � no storage issues, no manual syncing hassles. Enjoy all your photos anywhere you are, and make them look terrific using the same powerful photo-processing technology as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom� software.

Pricing and Availability
Adobe Touch Apps will be available for Android devices in November 2011. Adobe expects to make an announcement regarding iOS availability in early 2012. Adobe Ideas is already available for the iPad. Introductory pricing is US$9.99 for each app. Access to the file viewing, sharing and transfer functionality of Adobe Creative Cloud is included in the price of each Adobe Touch App. Details regarding pricing of the Adobe Creative Cloud and its expanded capabilities around applications, services and community will be announced in November 2011.

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