British Telecom Tablet Hard to Swallow

Newspapers and websites have been reporting that a tablet style computer is being launched by British Telecom which is set to go head-to-head with the iPad. The so-called British Telecom tablet, which has not yet officially been named, was revealed at the telecom’s annual strategy day sources stated.

Details are scarce, but the British Telecom tablet is said to have a larger screen than the 3.5 inch display found on the iPhone, but smaller than the iPad’s 9.7 inch screen. Apparently it can make and receive calls through a Bluetooth headset, or a speaker. It can also handle emails, text messages and web browsing.

Not surprisingly, BT chief executive Ian Livingston said that the British Telecom tablet was conceived for mainly use around the home and was not being pitched as a an iPad-like mobile computer.

He told The Telegraph newspaper when talking about the British Telecom tablet:

“Some people have called it an 'iPad killer', but not us. We see it as is a new device that would be in the kitchen or the lounge, so that you have all your communications in one place – your email, your voicemail, your text messages.

“You can even have little applications that will tell you the weather, or have a rolling stream of news. It's for when you don't want to have to turn on the computer to look something up. We've talked to a lot of customers about it – it's not just something we've dreamed up. We've designed something around what the customers have said rather than around what technologists have said.”

Industry observers were quick to point out that for the British Telecom tablet to directly take on the iPad would be a mistake. Many companies have tried to knock Apple’s iconic products off their perch, but most have failed.

Where BT might be more successful with the British Telecom tablet is by gradually introducing a product that is for use around the home, but can then be used on the road. They can then use their huge customer base, distribution channels and marketing muscle to make it work.