Dual touch-screen netbook/tablet PC shown off at Demo 09

The Touch Book offers a claimed battery life of up to 15 hours

US company Always Innovating has unveiled a new netbook that combines the small laptop format with a removable keyboard, in effect creating a touch-screen tablet.

The firm used the Demo 09 conference, taking place this week in Palm Springs, California, to show off the Touch Book, which has a touch-screen, weighs less than 1Kg and promises a battery life of 10 to 15 hours.

"The Touch Book is perfect for these tough economic times because you can use it in so many ways," said Gregoire Gentil, founder of Always Innovating and creator of the Touch Book.

"You can use it as a netbook computer, a hand-held game machine or a video player. You can even reverse the keyboard to prop it up on a table in an inverted 'V'. Finally, because it is magnetic, you can remove the keyboard and put the tablet on the fridge to serve as a kitchen computer or digital frame."

The Demo 09 event was set up to promote what the organisers consider to be industry-changing technologies.

"The longer battery life is a boon to netbook users. But the Touch Book's versatility - its ability to function as a netbook as well as a standalone touch-screen tablet - makes it a breakthrough product," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the conference.

Scheduled for release before the summer, pricing for the Touch Book is expected to start at around £250. The firm is accepting advance orders now.