MANILA, Philippines -- Pain is the body’s means of informing us that it, or a part of it, needs attention.

In most cases, a simple (but lovingly administered) touch is enough to ease the discomfort. More serious occasions, however, would demand immediate medical attention.

As we age, our bodies lose some of their youthful agility and flexibility. Add to the list of losses our ability to fight off some infections and to hold certain positions. Sleeping with your head askew, for example, means waking up with some serious case of stiff neck or aching shoulders.

So, until the time comes when scientists can reprogram our bodies’ drivers and software and revise their signaling systems, changing perhaps from pain to something more pleasurable, even leisurely, we have to watch out for those pains.

Be watchful and alert for those throbbing, persisting little bast…

Unbearable Pain

Well, the pain must have been rather unbearable. HP finally threw in the towel, and acknowledged defeat in the tablet PC wars.

Abruptly, the leading PC vendor announced it was lights out for the TouchPad and other webOS-based mobile devices. At the same time, the company informed those who were listing about its decision to exit the PC market and instead focus on corporate data management.

Hence, its plan to acquire Autonomy, a company that knows how to manage data, archive data, retrieve data, and store data where it should be, is rather understandable.

And so the iPad’s reign continues with one less usurper or pretender to the throne.

Cedar Delay

Intel has put on hold the release of its Cedar Trail-M processor platform for netbooks. From its previously announced launch date in September, the release is likely to take place in November.

The reason cited for the delay? Problematic drivers for the chip’s video-playing features, according to some industry observers, are the most likely culprits.

Apparently, the drivers could not be certified for Windows 7 yet. So, netbook makers, including Asus, has to wait a little while more before they can launch their respective netbooks powered by the Cedar Trail-M processor.

Indian Challenger

While the IT world is witnessing the demise of the HP TouchPad, another challenger to the iPad’s reign arises in India. Local  communications giant Bharti Enterprises launched the Beetel Magiq, a $222 tablet computer that comes with Android 2.2 OS. It includes 8GB memory, expandable to 16GB, 3G, WiFi, long battery life, radio, and front-and-rear 2-megapixel camera.

Its vendor hopes that the tablet PC’s affordability may help it sway Indian consumers from buying the iPad, and instead spend their money on a local option.

Local analysts, however, are doubtful. Most consumers, they say, would rather buy other consumer goods, such as air conditioners, than a tablet PC.

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.