Not even a week after Apple’s recent (and possibly infamous) iPad release, some interesting pictures have started crawling out from a virtual corner of the internet by Google, which has the internet starting to talk. The brilliant minds at Google have been cooking up some images showcasing the Chronium OS tablet proof-of-concept, which were posted on the Google-owned Chronium.org website in the last week or so.
Nothing major has been announced yet, but a few of the early features listed on the websites include a tabs-only interface with the tabs along the side(s) of the screen, a full screen Touch UI, and an on-screen software keyboard that boasts multiple setups depending on the need, including the ability to be split between the left- and right-hands (along with the familiar single keypad).
With this information following so shortly after the Nexus One phone was released, a strong iPhone competitor, rumors around the ‘net are starting to clamor that the internet search giant is trying to give Apple a run for their money. If they continue with this rapid hardware and software development, Google could be as fierce an animal in the hardware world as they currently are in the software/internet universe, with strong products such as YouTube, Google Docs, and their mobile OS Android.
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RianShortwave
i guess if you want a e-book reader ipad would be good but its a waste of money
If I were going to buy a tablet this would be the one, simply because I’m not giving Apple a single red cent. Nuff said
I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t purchase one of these.
But one of my biggest concerns is protection of these devices.
Given that today’s consumers constantly drop their iPod or MP3 device, what makes these tablets any different really?
Sure they are larger. But will this replace a student bringing a notebook to class?
Would you type notes with this device on your lap?
It seems like it could easily fall if one is not holding it correctly.
And when it does fall, then what? You go buy a new one?
Aside from that point, there’s also the issue of convenience.
I don’t understand why, but many people think that because the device is touch screen, its automatically more convenient.
Sure the portability triumphs in terms of thickness, but just get me a netbook; I’ll be happy.
On the touch-screen point, I agree completely. My phone allows me to type using a software or hardware keyboard, and 9 times out of 10, I use the hardware. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m not fond of doing a lot of work on a device using a touch-screen. Sure, I use it pretty often, but somethings just can’t be replaced that easily, IMHO.
Both are an absolute waste of money if you ask me!
The educated consumer needs a reason to buy a tablet that doesn’t involve the words “just want the newest” or “just so cool”. Facebook illuminates much of the appeal behind the current marketing push (and points to Apple’s recurrent success at getting to a demographic that drew iPhone/iPod users initially): “i just want it cuz its cute and little! I hate carrying my laptop.”
I agree that people need (well, want) to have both portability and some semblance of a computing (rather than limited mobile browsing) experience; tablets admittedly remain the awkward middle ground between netbooks and smartphones (simultaneously resembling e-book readers). The iPad will sell because Apple puts it out and because they’ve somehow convinced people the price tags are justified.
While there are so many things on which to improve with the iPad, I think the keys (after edumacating the “public”) are A/V and I/O in nature. HDMI out (and the A/V quality to boot) provides a serious opportunity to one-up Apple IMO.
Yeah I’d like to see what everyone else comes out with. Plus I’d never buy a 1st generation apple anything as we’ve seen in the past.
Tablets are not a “middle ground between netbooks and smartphones”. Slate Tablets have been used in many industries for a long time, and convertable tablets are starting to become more common. Netbooks are ultra-portable, tablets aim to have more tactile input.