Samsung is the new company to jump in the slate market with a device of its own due later in 2010. While pricing, availability and technical specs were not available, we’re not expecting a ridiculously innovative device from the company.

Samsung has a history of letting others take the lead and jump in when it feels safe. Sure, its products are sexy, but that’s hardly a differentiation factor these days. When Dell can make sleek products, you know it’s not too difficult for others to match thatWhat’s surprising about the news is Samsung’s heated reaction to the Apple iPad.

“A lot of companies have played in the MID market and done a very average job and the iPad, which is a glorified MID, just takes that to the next level,” Philip Newton, Director, IT Division, Samsung Australia told APC Magazine in an interview. “The problems I see with the iPad are its processing power and (lack of) connectivity to a certain extent.”

“From my point of view, the iPad is essentially an e-book reader with wireless connectivity but no inputs and outputs,” Newton said. “I do feel that that slate-type platform has legs but I think the legs need to be far more powerful, for example an Atom-based product which has far greater flexibility, not to mention inputs and outputs. This has more potential than an iPad.”

We don’t get the obsession with Apple products that the rest of the industry generally occupies itself with when they should be focusing on their own products that can withstand strong competition. Seriously, Samsung executives should be the last ones talking about the iPad in such an aggressive tone.

For now, all we know is that the Samsung slate will have a docking station that will let users dock the tablet when the user is parked at home and take it with them when they are mobile. We also believe users will be able to charge the tablet when it’s docked.