I have been totally excited since the booking of the Moscone West by Apple for January 27 and believe, like most of the industry followers, that Apple will be announcing their tablet/slate device.

Whilst digging around I came across this great video that shows how fantastic such a device could be used in the areas of education and show some innovations that such a device could bring to students in the new decade. Could we now be on the edge of a totally e-classroom, that not only allows the student to carry e-books etc (such as in the video) but allows electronic submission of work and central management of timetables & attendance etc?

If I believe what my iPhone 'Spidy' Sense is telling me, I think January 27 will bring added support for the new device, to the iPhone/Cocoa SDK and with so many apps already out there on the Apple App Store, the new device will sure to have a huge selection of applications ready from day #1.

Obviously such a device will also find its place in Enterprise Mobility, where smaller screened devices are a little bit too limiting and with a higher price will need to be maintained, secured and managed centrally. Again, something like Sybase Afaria will fit the bill and it is my belief that, if the Education scenario above, takes off... products like Afaria will start to be employed by Educational IT Departments.