Freescale Unveils Design For $199 Tablet 173
theodp writes "Freescale Semiconductor has designs on new smartbook tablet computers, and to prove it, it's rolling out a second-generation reference design at the Consumer Electronics Show. For under $200, Freescale envisions an instant-on device with persistent connectivity and all-day battery life with the following additional features: 7" (1024 x 600) touch screen, Freescale i.MX515 processor (based on ARM Cortex-A8 core), 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, 3G modem (optional), 512 MB DDR2 memory, 4GB to 64GB internal storage, removable micro SD, 3 Mpixel camera (video up to VGA 30fps), 3-axis accelerometer, ambient light sensor, Adobe Flash support, Android or Linux OS."
Re:Too big for 1 hand, so how do you type (Score:4, Informative)
How do you do data entry, even touch screen, if you need both hands to hold it? If I want to put a computer on my lap, I'll buy a laptop. If I want a PDA, I'll use a PDA. A 2-handed PDA sucks.
You've never written on a clipboard? You hold it with one hand and write with the other.
Re:Too big for 1 hand, so how do you type (Score:3, Informative)
They have a dockable Keyboard to turn it into a netbook, practically.
As for touch screen, all you need is a spot to mount it on your dashboard to use it like a GPS.
It's not the worlds most amazing product, especially since its a mere $200, but the applications are there, you just aren't looking hard enough.
Re:Just a little Nit (Score:3, Informative)
Isn't Android just a mobile distribution of Linux?
No.
What is Android?
Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.
http://developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html
Re:Just a little Nit (Score:2, Informative)
It is based on a mobile distribution of linux, but it is also a java like language and a set of APIs.
It is probably better to say that it is implemented on top of a linux kernel.
Re:Wow (Score:3, Informative)
Every one of these devices, from the smart phone up to the monster desktop, is able to do it all....
... very poorly. In fact, just barely well enough to not get class action lawsuits, usually, which is not exactly glowing praise.
Possibly the lowest res worst quality digital cameras ever made on cellphones, complete with greasy lenses dusty sensors and dim slow sensitivity. Viewing the web thru a screen the size of a postage stamp, even webtv was better. Non-apple music player user interfaces that make you wish for the good old days of the 1997 Diamond Rio, but thankfully the phone battery will die in an hour or two so you won't have to suffer long. GPS navigators that work great on any trip shorter than two hours (after which the device overheats and/or the battery dies). Games released for phones in 2009 that would make a Vic-20 user cringe at the poor graphics. Email reader with all the features of "elm" from 1991, albeit with a nice slow GUI.
Or you can get something like an iphone, which does most of that, sort of well, but costs about $3000 over about two years, some upfront, plus hefty monthly fees, soon bandwidth charges will make that even higher if you make the mistake of actually using it.
If over a hundred bucks a month won't do it, I guess a perfect machine would cost at least two or three hundred a month. I can get a nice car for that.
Re:Some Questions (Score:3, Informative)
1024 by 600? Why not 1024 by 768?
Form factor? Looking at the pictures on the page linked to increasing the screen depth would mean widening the unit (unless you mean you want a higher res but with oblong pixels). Also widescreen format displays are probably cheaper on account of being mass produced for the current netbook market.
can i install unbuntu/kubuntu on it?
The summary does say "Android or Linux" so almost certainly yes, hardware support permitting.
Re:Some Questions (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Too big for 1 hand, so how do you type (Score:4, Informative)
$200 for the unit with the least amount of storage.
$45 for the keyboard dock.
$35 for their keyboard (the only one that will fit)
$15 for a pack of 3 styluses (doesn't come with one because it's "designed for finger use" even though finger use is shit on it and nastifies the screen).
$35 for the carrying bag which doesn't hold the keyboard dock or keyboard.
$30 for a little travel mouse
Re:Some Questions (Score:3, Informative)
WSVGA. The width of XGA (minimum native for most web sites) in a smaller package.