Oooo Mama - an iPad alternate
Per Engadget, take a look at the foxy new tablet from ICD called Gemini.
Some of the remarkable things this sexy beast features are the ability to make phone calls via the built-in 3G, do videoconferencing (thanks to a 2MP camera that faces you), take pictures (thanks to a fancy 5MP camera that faces out), and read from SD cards. It also has a USB connection (yay!) and the user can swap out the battery. It sports a 1366x768 resolution and is capable of playing HD video
Now, I don't want to sell this as an "iPad killer". I don't WANT the iPad killed. What makes me excited about this sort of product hitting the market is that it seems (from its specs anyway) to be a viable alternative to the iPad. The iPad is a great piece of technology, but it worries me because the hype is so great for it that it may choke out all other entries into the tablet market. I want choice in which tablet I want to buy, and I want a competitor to the iPad that forces developers to hopefully push for open standards, so that their software can be used on multiple platforms.
Given the wide range of features, I'm doubtful that the Gemini will have the amazing battery life that the iPad currently boasts (a whopping 11 hours of video, which blows my mind). I'm also not sure how it'll handle, in terms of weight (the Gemini is larger than the iPad) and general touch screen usability. But for a geek like me, who felt that there were several features missing that prevented the iPad from being a viable platform for me, the Gemini is a really exciting piece of hardware.
There's no release date or price for the Gemini yet, but I'm hoping it comes sooner rather than later before Apple completely consumes the tablet market.
Check out the Engadget page for an excellent rundown of the full specs of the device, plus a side-by-side comparison to its direct competitors. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/icds-tegra-2-powered-gemini-is-the-most-feature-complete-tablet/
Other coverage can be found at:
ZDNet
Electronista
photo taken from the Engadget.com site linked above
Some of the remarkable things this sexy beast features are the ability to make phone calls via the built-in 3G, do videoconferencing (thanks to a 2MP camera that faces you), take pictures (thanks to a fancy 5MP camera that faces out), and read from SD cards. It also has a USB connection (yay!) and the user can swap out the battery. It sports a 1366x768 resolution and is capable of playing HD video
Now, I don't want to sell this as an "iPad killer". I don't WANT the iPad killed. What makes me excited about this sort of product hitting the market is that it seems (from its specs anyway) to be a viable alternative to the iPad. The iPad is a great piece of technology, but it worries me because the hype is so great for it that it may choke out all other entries into the tablet market. I want choice in which tablet I want to buy, and I want a competitor to the iPad that forces developers to hopefully push for open standards, so that their software can be used on multiple platforms.
Given the wide range of features, I'm doubtful that the Gemini will have the amazing battery life that the iPad currently boasts (a whopping 11 hours of video, which blows my mind). I'm also not sure how it'll handle, in terms of weight (the Gemini is larger than the iPad) and general touch screen usability. But for a geek like me, who felt that there were several features missing that prevented the iPad from being a viable platform for me, the Gemini is a really exciting piece of hardware.
There's no release date or price for the Gemini yet, but I'm hoping it comes sooner rather than later before Apple completely consumes the tablet market.
Check out the Engadget page for an excellent rundown of the full specs of the device, plus a side-by-side comparison to its direct competitors. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/icds-tegra-2-powered-gemini-is-the-most-feature-complete-tablet/
Other coverage can be found at:
ZDNet
Electronista
photo taken from the Engadget.com site linked above
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EXACTLY. That's why this tablet intrigues me. It runs the Android OS, and I believe there are several apps out there already that let you open and edit Office documents. Since you can load data in and out of the device via the integrated SD card reader (or perhaps buy an adapter to use USB sticks with it), I can see this tablet allowing you to actually be productive on the road.
I get a good laugh at the commercials for the iPad showing the person browsing photos. With no USB plugs or camera, the only way you're getting pictures on that sucker is when you dock it at home or on your laptop.
1) Ultraportable computing on the go. My netbook only weighs 2.8 lbs. It is still too damn heavy for me to tote around all day. If I had a replacement that would allow me to blog "on location" from events such as PAX East (which I attended this year), without needing to see my chiropractor when I get home, that would be a win for me. Plus, I'd like to be able to work on various MS Office docs on the road as well without having the fuss of toting a full laptop around.
2) eBook/eComic reader. I travel a lot, sometimes on very long flights. I'd like to take my book collection with me. The Kindle is a possibility, but I'd rather have a color screen for things like reference material and my comic books.
3) Periodicals. I'd like to have an e-subscription to magazines like Wired, so that I get my computer nerd news fix without feeling guilty about all the dead trees that go into making a print magazine. A tablet is an ideal format for this sort of thing.
4) I'm hoping someone will make a tablet that lets me use a stylus with it. That opens up several possibilities: doing free hand sketches, hand writing notes on everything from Word documents to e-books, and even marking up maps or other graphics.
5) Watching movies and television on the go. Currently, my laptop gets 3-4 hours of battery life watching movies on a good day, if I turn down all the video settings. The current generation of tablets look like they have good enough battery life that I can finally make the trip from DC to Honolulu without having to pack 2 extra batteries in my bag.
6) Gaming. Because I must be constantly amused. A large touchscreen would be amazing for games such as Settlers of Catan, Civilization, and countless other turn-based strategy games.
I do agree that the Android OS has a great tech philosophy driving it. I'd like to see this tablet come to market so that the iPad would have some valid competition (and therefore be forced to hopefully be more open, or at least more innovative). We'll see. If it meets even 75% of my expectations based on its posted specs, I'd be very interesting in purchasing one.
I'm only now discovering the ipod.
It should take 5yrs or so before I consider readers and pads and droids...but it's fun to watch you all kick this around.
I do not need a USB connection or sim slot. Email and mobile me solves those challenges.
mad_typist and others: I mentioned an excellent alternative to the iPad back when it was announced:
http://open.salon.com/blog/meander61/2010/02/02/decisions_decisions
The enTourage eDGe™ , which runs Android, features TWO screens, on LCD and one e-paper, USB, SD slots, and stylus input. At $499, it is the same price as the iPad 8GB.
AND IT IS SHIPPING NOW. Not some mythical vaporware "someday". No, it does not have 3G but I think that is straight Amazon.com marketing anyway. I have LOTS of PDF textbooks and this weighs less and gives me more features than any of them.