[Tempest]

Originally Posted by Stinja

Interesting, but you failed to add the appropriate negative comment, and some Apple-love

My main concern is it still looks a bit tech-demo, and while it may well be excellent as a electronic diary, the small individual screens wont work as a media player. Is this aimed more to kill Blackberries and the iPhone? As i could see it in an Enterprise environment, syncing perfectly with Outlook, for productivity uses.

An inch thick when open? so 2" x 5" x 7" closed is not going to fit in a pocket well. Anyone know how well the Zune is for power usage?

Actually my main worry with it, is that, unlike the iPad I can't find anywhere that this Msoft Courier is in any way "Magical or Amazing" as for me, I need a device that offers both of those features

For me I prefer a LARGER screen, so the iPad offers better in this regard.

[dejongj]

Such a shame why oh why 5x7x2 they should have done 2xa4. I think that is too small to comfortably read technical documentation. I really wanted to like the courier. Still think it has a place but personally I do not think that mimicing a normal journal will gain mainstream support.

Still one to closely watch as what o have seeen so far the new windows mobile might finally be a worthy competitor.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by dejongj

Such a shame why oh why 5x7x2 they should have done 2xa4. I think that is too small to comfortably read technical documentation. I really wanted to like the courier. Still think it has a place but personally I do not think that mimicing a normal journal will gain mainstream support.

Still one to closely watch as what o have seeen so far the new windows mobile might finally be a worthy competitor.

To be honest 2x A4 would be a pretty HUGE device (the size of a sheet of A3 paper)

I know what's needed.

One of those new very flexible OLED screens within a folding book, so when you open it, the screen opens up with no join/gap in the middle.

[dejongj]

I agree...Although since the device hinges two A4 is still the size of 1 A4 unless you open it...Bit like those ringbinds....Or just slightly below...but 5x7...Too small to take serious I think...

But yes I was hoping for the flexible screens by now...

[Tempest]

How about a thin unit that opens like a book (so it's half size when shut) but it has a screen like this folded inside it

YouTube - SAMSUNG Flexible AM OLED

Ok, it's not touch screen yet, but hey, we can dream

[Stinja]

Yes the flexible screens could be fascinating, imagine just rolling out how much you want - enough for two lines to tweet, thru to A3 to review a HD photo.

But then if we're talking other future screen tech: then micro/pico projectors are coming along, still need an input device though; and what about HUD glasses, which would give you an equivalent of a 50" screen?

I guess if the Courier works from concept to actual product, then MS might just roll out the same OS to larger devices, and there's no reason you couldn't have an A4 single screen doing exactly like the videos, with a virtual foldline to make 2x A5 screens, then one big one when needed. Now that could be really good.

[SeedyR]

Video of the HP Slate using Flash (due out sometime in 2010):

YouTube - Adobe Demos Flash & Air on HP's Slate Device

[Stinja]

Wow. How many times can you say "flash" in 5:26 Funnily enough my poor Macbook couldn't handle the video and was showing it at about 5 fps...

Kinda interesting, but didnt show much of the touch interfacing.

[dejongj]

Is it me, or can you see the chaps finger go white by having to apply so much pressure on the touchscreen...The UI doesn't seem smooth and slick...Scrolling is also a bit hap hazard....But yes it does do flash whoopee :-)

[asimm]

Originally Posted by dejongj

Is it me, or can you see the chaps finger go white by having to apply so much pressure on the touchscreen...The UI doesn't seem smooth and slick...Scrolling is also a bit hap hazard....But yes it does do flash whoopee :-)

I noticed that too - the iPAD seems far more responsive from what I have seen but this is something other manufacturers can catch up on and then I wonder if the iPad is the one for me? Then I see the Penguin Book demo and I'm back with the iPad.

[dejongj]

True, that is if they license the technology ;-) And catching up does take time...Ultimately (years in) everybody catches up...However do you always want the technology that catches up or leads it :-)

[fat jez]

Originally Posted by asimm

the iPAD seems far more responsive

It's the difference between capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens. the iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad use capacitive touch screens, where the electrical properties of the screen are altered by the proximity of the finger (or other suitable pointing device). Resistive touch screens require pressure to change the resistance of the touch sensitive layer. In other words, a gentle tap is enough for a capacitive screen, resistive ones need pressure to be applied (the amount varies depending on the screen make - my Tomtom seems to need a good firm press to register).

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by fat jez

It's the difference between capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens. the iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad use capacitive touch screens, where the electrical properties of the screen are altered by the proximity of the finger (or other suitable pointing device). Resistive touch screens require pressure to change the resistance of the touch sensitive layer. In other words, a gentle tap is enough for a capacitive screen, resistive ones need pressure to be applied (the amount varies depending on the screen make - my Tomtom seems to need a good firm press to register).

What type of screen do the VERY old Palm PDA's and even the Dell X50 Pocket PC use (years apart) both of them I've owned and both work with a finger or stylus press and to be honest, only ever needed a light press to operate.

I suppose as with most things, it's how the technology is applied by a manufacturer as much as it's the technology itself.
I guess there are "qualities" of all technical types of touch screens, as there are different qualities of most other things.

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by dejongj

True, that is if they license the technology ;-) And catching up does take time...Ultimately (years in) everybody catches up...However do you always want the technology that catches up or leads it :-)

The HP Slate has a built in web camera. Can I quote this if the ipad gets one?

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by fat jez

It's the difference between capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens. the iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad use capacitive touch screens,

So does the HP Slate.

HP slate (prototype) specs - gdgt

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

The HP Slate has a built in web camera. Can I quote this if the ipad gets one?

Don't mistake specs for technology as you will quote me out of context

Originally Posted by Sonic67

So does the HP Slate.

HP slate (prototype) specs - gdgt

well doesn't look like it based on that video...

[Stinja]

Here's a new tablet for those wanting multitasking, flash and windows: Stantum Slate

Also an update on the JooJoo: more spit and polish. I'd still like to see a proper list of specs, as that's got it's release soon too (25th March?), but not any real reviews of it.

I can't wait for a Notion Ink Adam vs JooJoo vs iPad shootout.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by Stinja

Here's a new tablet for those wanting multitasking, flash and windows: Stantum Slate

Also an update on the JooJoo: more spit and polish. I'd still like to see a proper list of specs, as that's got it's release soon too (25th March?), but not any real reviews of it.

I can't wait for a Notion Ink Adam vs JooJoo vs iPad shootout.

More JooJoo here: JooJoo hits the FCC, reveals NVIDIA Ion, 3G card -- Engadget

[fat jez]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

So does the HP Slate.

HP slate (prototype) specs - gdgt

Well, the final product might, but that doesn't mean the prototype in the video does, if the pressure being exerted is anything to go by!

[Tempest]

Here's a review of how NOT to make a tablet/book style computer.

Entourage Edge review -- Engadget

Have the design team been shot yet?

[Tempest]

Intersting new screen tech:

As going to be used in the Tegra 2 based Notion Ink Adam.

YouTube - Pixel Qi vs Kindle vs Toshiba R600 vs regular LCD tablet

[Stinja]

Originally Posted by Tempest

new screen tech ... Notion Ink Adam

Yeah posted info about this in the first post page 1 too:

Originally Posted by Stinja

The Pixel Qi's "Transflective LCD" is a very interesting development, worth clicking the links and checking out the videos:
E-Ink Is Dead, Pixel Qi's Amazing Transflective LCD Just Killed It - Notebooks - Gizmodo

Notion Ink Adam protoype reader with the Pixel Qi screen:
Notion Ink Adam Pixel Qi Tablet/Ereader Hands On: Your Screen Is Obsolete - notion ink adam - Gizmodo

But interesting new video I'd still like a proper review, i think this was the last hands on of the hardware: Notion Ink Adam final specs

[Theydon Bois]

Please note that recent posts that refered to an alternative to the iPad have been moved, rather than divert this thread from its 'tablet/slate device compared vs the iPad'

You can find that thread here:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/compu...-not-ipad.html

[Stinja]

So since my last post the Notion Ink Adam has been delayed again, the JooJoo has been released, sold very few copies and found to be a bit poo, and now a preview of the HP Slate has been less than impressive.

Leaked HP Slate Fails to Impress in Early Peek | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

The site, which has posted a gallery of photos for the Slate, has one word for it: “meh.”

As pointed out this is a pre-production model, and might not be very optimised (OS included), but surely one would like to wow journos rather than make them go "meh"?

Anyways, as always on the look out for (non-vapourware) alternatives or exciting news which isn't iPad...

[dejongj]

On that note, apparently a new windows 7 mobile has been lost as well in a bar in Seatle last week...It is still on the same bar stool waiting for the owner to collect it :-)

[Tempest]

Oh, this sounds nice (so far)

ICD's Tegra 2-powered Gemini is the most feature-complete tablet we've seen yet -- Engadget

[Sonic67]

Dell Mini 5:

Five inch screen, camera front and back, Dell reskinned Android OS.

Michael Dell shows off the Mini 5, confirms US arrival?

Apple iPad vs. Dell Mini 5 / Streak... fight! (Bonus: smartphone pile-on!) -- Engadget

and more Dells:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/d...ablets-leaked/

[Sonic67]

T Mobile Vega:

T-Mobile Vega Android tablet hands-on - SlashGear

15" screen, Android again, sends out SMS reminders of events etc, 720p HD screen.

[Sonic67]

X2 iTablet:

X2's iTablet running Windows 7 - and its origins | Technology | guardian.co.uk

Windows 7, 1.6GHz processor, 10.2" and 12.1" varieties, three USBs and HDMI out.

[dejongj]

I'll admit it, I really don't get the Dell Mini 5....Too big to put comfortably in your pocket, unless you wear clothes like a clown....But yet too small to do any actual work on it and when carrying a brief case you may as well get the size of an iPad or a laptop....

The ICD Tegra2 seems to me the typical product of someone 'listening' to the techy customers and add all the requested feature count....One paper it looks great, I'd be skeptical about being able to use it all and in an integrated nice user experience kind of way...

I've just got visions like those middled aged managers with their Windows CE organisers who say you can do anything and then go on to demonstrate without you asking for it and I just embarrass myself by falling asleep. But hey I guess they enjoy the local computer club as well discussing specs and features...Fine for some, not for me thank you very much....

T-Mobile Vega, oh T-Mobile what were they thinking...That thing in those pictures looks huge, I'd be pleasantly surprised when you can operate that comfortably...Big mistake, you can take it out on the train without invading someone elses space....

X2 Is the most realistic version I've seen so far...But I do know the company and their commercial work....The question is, can they actually launch and support a consumer market....I'm not so certain....But in my opinion the one to watch...