We might have caught a glimpse of the future.
In San Francisco, a startup company called Fusion Garage is showing off the JooJoo, a touch-screen device that looks like the iPhone’s big brother.
The JooJoo is one of the first of a new generation of tablet computers expected to hit store shelves in the coming year.
Much of the buzz around tablet computers has focused on the one Apple has reportedly long had in development and is widely expected to unveil early next year. But similar devices are expected to arrive in coming months as well, many running Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system, which supports multitouch gestures common on touch-screen devices.
Back in August, with rumors about Apple’s so-called iTablet reaching a crescendo, we were skeptical about the potential of such a device — and the whole concept of tablet PCs. We couldn’t see anyone trading out a notebook or a cell phone for such a device, which meant tablet makers would have to convince consumers to buy yet another gadget — something we figured they’d be reluctant to do.
But after playing with the JooJoo, we’re less dubious. Maybe these types of gadgets will find a market after all.
The JooJoo, which is scheduled to ship in February and can be pre-ordered from Fusion Garage, is designed as a “living room” device. By that we mean you can use it to surf the Web, read electronic books, check e-mail, watch Web videos and even place video calls — all while leaning back against the comfy cushions on your couch.
That’s a lot different from the typical Web surfing experience today, which usually involves being stuck in the study with a desktop or being hunched over a laptop.
Unlike a laptop, the JooJoo doesn’t have a keyboard. Instead, it’s got a 12-inch touch screen through which you can…