Microsoft has pulled back the curtain on an HP-crafted tablet computer during its CES 2010 keynote. The HP Slate, as shown by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, looks to offer a portable computing package that is oddly nestled between the functionality of a smartphone and netbook.

The Slate will run Windows 7, and reportedly sports a multitouch display, an accelerometer, and speculation suggests that it's powered by an x86-based processor. The prototype shown during Microsoft's keynote was running the PC Kindle app, hinting that the Slate may try to take a bite out of the e-reader market -- much like Apple's "rumored" tablet is expected to.

Apart from press shots and a brief teaser video , very few details are available, except that it's due sometime later this year.