With the release of the new Apple iPad, pundits throughout the industry have shared their feelings on this new Apple gadget and now, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft shares his opinion. His view on the new tablet – “nice reader.”

Not the most glowing review of the Apple iPad that we’ve seen circulating, especially when you hear the likes of Disney CEO Robert Iger calling this device a “game changer.” As to why Gates is cool on the iPad may stem from his feelings that this device does not have the correct features to make it a staple amongst consumers. It is unlike another Apple device, namely the Apple iPhone which really was a revolutionary device that changed mobile communication and brought it to a new level.

As Gates states, “I’m a big believer in touch and digital reading, but I still think that some mixture of voice, the pen and a real keyboard — in other words a netbook — will be the mainstream on that,” he tells BNET. “So, it’s not like I sit there and feel the same way I did with iPhone where I say, ‘Oh my God, Microsoft didn’t aim high enough.”

It is really interesting to see the contrast in views here as Steve Jobs, co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple went out of his way to highlight the benefits of the iPad over a netbook which included the netbook being to slow, poor software selection, and the fact that they are much bulkier.

You’ll never get everyone to agree on a new launch, especially when they represent competing companies, but this type of rivalry can only spawn new innovation and better gadgets.

Via: Elecronista