Apples iPad helped move tablet PCs from niche industry device to must-have consumer item in 2010 and ignited other manufacturers interest in the devices. Following months of speculation, Apple unveiled the iPad in January 2010 and released it to consumers and businesses in April. As the device ramped up to selling more than 1 million units a month, rivals began planning their own tablets. Dells 5-inch Streak, marketed as a hybrid between a smartphone and tablet, hit the market over the summer; Samsung followed that up a few months later with the 7-inch Galaxy Tab, which has gone on to sell more than 1 million units. Despite having not existed a year ago in any appreciable way, the consumer tablet market looks to continue its white-hot ways in 2011. In addition to a much-rumored second-generation iPad, Research In Motion is intending to release the enterprise-centric PlayBook, and Microsoft executives have been talking for months about their plans for a line of Windows tablets that run on Intels upcoming Oak Trail processors. More Android-based tablets& optimized for full-screen apps& will also appear. – …