HP Slate promotion videos reveal Flash compatibility, Adobe AIR applications
Now everyone is gearing up their tablet computer TV promotion spots. Hewlett-Packard has debuted an ad for the HP Slate, the gadget's first major appearance since CES 2010.
Considering the HP Slate less than wowed people at CES and how much the Apple iPad captivated the public at their own press event following CES, HP and Microsoft have a lot of work to do in attracting buyers to their tablet.
First, HP has published a commercial of their own, which you can watch over on YouTube. It's not bad, as it's fast and features some high-energy music. At first, it seemed like using the HP Slate was something like being on an action-packed mission. But rather, HP appears to be targeting a youthful, music-minded crowd (maybe hipsters, in particular) when it switches over to a rock concert. I get where they're going with this, but I still don't think I'd ever bring an expensive tablet computer to a concert where - especially one where people are bouncing around and will probably knock the tablet out of my hand or spill a drink on it.
In another video, we learn exactly where Adobe's loyalties are. The HP Slate has a slight upper hand on the iPad on one feature that has been a bit controversial lately: Flash compatibility! Because we all know what a sore spot that has become regarding the iPad, even if Apple says they don't care about it. (Although, I really wish they hadn't used an episode of The City to demo the Flash action, as I really can't stand that show and I've wasted enough time watching enough episodes to fairly make that judgment.)
The HP Slate also features AIR applications, now they're going for the developer crowd. Basically, HP plans to please everyone with this - or at least they hope so. There are also some glimpses at some of the other programs and the touchscreen keyboard. The graphics are modern and attractive, and the system looks fairly easy to use.
Overall, the videos were entertaining, but I really didn't learn much from the TV spot to make me want to buy a Slate. And understandably, it's not possible to include as much info in a 30-second commercial as a demo video on YouTube. But they might want to rework it just a bit.
What did you think about the HP Slate videos?