It’s far from the first time that Apple has filed patents for some kind of tablet computer. It’s been described in the past as a large iPhone, or as a full tablet, but these latest images look like a large mobile internet device that would be pretty neat. Most of the 52-page filing is in regards to the touchpad.

The device would be large enough to read easily and use, but also thin and light. One of the images has an interesting virtual keyboard. Some of the illustrations show a tablet Mac with a full windowing interface, where interface windows can be enlarged, shrunk, moved, and cycled, rather than being locked in place like the iPhone. Click the link for an interesting read on more details.

With the success of the XO laptop from OLPC, it makes sense to start working on a second generation device called the XO 2.0. It will be much smaller compared to the first one, and will feature a foldable e-book factor.

It will also be just half the original’s size, with dual indoor-and-sunlight displays that provide both a right and left page when held vertically, a hinged laptop in horizontal format as well as a flat, dual screen continuous interface for tablet mode. Power suckage has been reduced to just an impressive 1 watt. You’ll have a nice long wait though, since it will be released sometime in 2010.

Rugged computers seem to be growing in popularity. People want them on their construction sites,explorers want them for their Indiana Jones thing and others just need a PC that is safe from abuse. That’s why NEC rolled out a new tablet PC for its rugged line of computers, which are built Tonka tough. The new NEC ShieldPRO FC-N22A tablet , which is made for the Japanese market is now available.

The rugged ShieldPro tablet features a low-voltage Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 (1.06GHz). The 12.1-inch tablet offers a bright widescreen LED display (750 cd/m2) and boasts a battery life that can last up to 12 hours. The ShieldPro is specially designed to stand up to the worst conditions, offering protection against dust and water, and can even be operated under heavy rainfall. Besides, its outer case is super durable, it can stand up to a drop of 90 cm on a concrete floor, without breaking it.

The idea behind this tablet/pda device is not to lure the elderly into gaming with a cute device full of pretty icons.(though I’m sure that would work) It’s to track every movement the elderly make. Not because we fear them…they’re old. It’s because Nokia believes this is the best way to keep them around longer.

By monitoring what they consume via RFID tags; from expired foods, medicine, possible allergens and nutritional info. It could probably even tell you if they have been putting toys in their mouths while watching Matlock, like babies do. It’s easy to read and use and that’s the key. This pad hopes to be a vital tool for the upcoming explosion of elderly Baby Boomers.(Which is bound to be a mess. Baby Boomers explode with twice the power of your typical spontaneous combustion.)