Toshiba's JournE touch multimedia tablet (updated with hands-on video!)
By Paul Miller 
posted September 3rd 2009 1:18PM
posted September 3rd 2009 1:18PM
The device feels pretty nice in hand, but there's still a bit of a prototype vibe about it -- maybe because it's still a prototype. It's clearly a resistive screen, and the device will include a stylus for non touch-optimized apps. Toshiba seemed to be having fun with the multitude of Apple comparisons, namely since there isn't an Apple device to compare it to yet. They also call the video output the tablet's killer app, and promise to show more once they can track down a WiFi signal. Sure, it's just a MID at the end of the day, but we'll be happy to humor them -- it's a pretty hot MID.
Update: We've got some video hands-on of the JournE right after the break -- gaze upon its G-Force displaying prowess!
Update 2: Added one more video after the break, just in case you didn't get enough the first go 'round.
i'm sure there will be a program on for that, if not then you could probably download one depending on how locked down it is.
Windows CE has a port of Adobe Reader as well as Foxit, so you should be able to read PDFs. Other ebook readers like Mobipocket also run on WinMo, and it is likely that some or all of these will work on this device as well.
This Toshiba tablet looks interesting but it has one MAJOR flaw in its design: it's running Windows. They could've utilized a better and modern OS, like one of the Linux distros and by extension, Android.
Some will say 'remember Acer said Android is not feasible in netbooks, why would it be feasible in this?' To which I say, if Acer was not under Microsoft's thumb, then they would've very easily produced Android netbooks, ahem, smartbooks. The market potential for alternative OSs in devices is growing quite a bit these days as more people realize there are feasible alternative to Microsoft.
Again: Huh? Have you used this version of CE they're using? Do you know anything about it? Do you have any idea what the hell you're talking about? Android is great(coming from an owner/lover of the G1 and an android developer with 4 apps on the market), but it's not the end-all be-all. It's called competition, deal with it.
Why is it so hard to believe that a vendor might think that a system that's only been out for a short period of time at a completely different form factor might not be ready for use on netbooks?
There are lots of ARM Linux distros with a lot more history of running on computer-like devices than Android has. Android seems like a decent-enough 1.0 OS for phones, but it's not like it has magic pixie dust relative to other ARM distros.
Meanwhile, Windows CE has been around for over a decade and happily runs on lots of different devices, many of them quite successful. Over that time, not surprisingly, it has had quite a stable of apps built for it. Why does that make it obviously unsuitable for such a device?
Android? of course it's not the end-all-be-all alternate OS solution, hence my reference to Linux distros, but Android is the one with the most momentum in the mobile market for handset manufacturers that do not make their OSs. (And you being an Android dev clearly know that.) By extension, many other device manufacturers are liking Android's dynamic properties and are showing interest in developing Android-related products such as this:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/1080p-android-demod-set-top-boxes-prepare-for-a-new-master/
Windows CE in the other hand lacks Android's momentum or Google's enthusiasm for improving Android. WinMo is faring even worse in the mobile phone market as it is on its way out. That it is based on WinCE will not help its fortunes.
@FoxKenji: I wouldn't exactly say it lacks Android's momentum. It's just not at the rapid rising point. CE has been around forever and is already used everywhere. Since you referenced WinMo, I might point out that it still sells more handsets than Mobile OSX or Android. Case in point: Clearly Win CE works best for their purposes with this device(just as you'll note in that article I said Android probably worked best for that device). Point behind all this though is that you might try actually using or even just try learning a little bit about a product before dismissing it as a failure.
@ Mark
" WinMo, I might point out that it still sells more handsets than Mobile OSX or Android."
iPhone outsold all Windows Mobile phones in Q2 2009
http://www.canalys.com/pr/2009/r2009081.htm
That's why Apple leads International smartphone market growth and share of WinMo phones is the one platform shrinking the fastest.
As for the Zune HD
Zune's Marketing Exec leaves two weeks before launch
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/zune-marketing-boss-leaves-two-weeks-before-zune-hd-launch.ars
This man has the intellect to earn a hefty 6-figure income so if he jumped ship now it seem like he really didn't like what the Zune HD is.
that bevel is huuuugggeee!!!
Apple wouldn't do that.
Ya cos on Apple that would be a feature!
It is not a MID, a MID should have 3g connectivity
Some vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaS028GN7ss
Shut yer trap fanboy!
neat
> And since Apple has a media RICH ecosystem in play already, their tablet form factor will just explode!
I've always said it's a shame that you can't buy any media that will play on Windows-based machines. Maybe someone will decide to get into that business -- I think there might be an opportunity there.
>They have no solution of their own for making a real statement with the tablet form factor.
Personally, I couldn't care less about them making a statement. I buy and use devices, not statements. If it does what it's supposed to do and costs a reasonable amount, Toshiba is doing its job.
Nobody has mentioned MSIE on this thing, please tell me you can easily remedy that failure. Before you slam me for this comment isn't it interesting how many people DON'T use MSIE when it comes preinstalled...
? Internet Explorer is the very first icon on the screen...
Sorry, what I meant was if something else is not available. I am stuck using MSIE at work as only administrators can install Firefox, Opera or what have you and I just appreciate the alternatives too much to give up their features. I am not sure if anyone makes an up to date browser for CE or how badly it might be crippled if flash for instance isn't avialable.
A small device like this might be interesting for a decent price, but not if its too crippled for modest web browsing. Need more details!
IE8 is a perfectly good browser. It's nothing like IE6. I've seen the browser on the Origami device before, and it was pretty slick.
"there's still a bit of a prototype vibe about it -- maybe because it's still a prototype"
There's a bit of a redundant vibe about that, maybe because it's redundant.
Direct from the DRD (Department of Redundancy Department).
P.S. I think the redundancy was intentional. In fact, I think Mr. Miller here was attempting what we call in the journalism industry like to call a 'joke.'
You noticed that it was a joke, but didn't notice that I was equally joking?
Or are you just messing with me?
I'm just totally confused.
The answer to your question: I don't know. I was trying to be funny.
No prob. I think our jokes clashed, causing a sort of joke redundancy which is both funny and not funny, resulting in mass confusion.
No video thumbnails? (coming later?)
Would it be possible to install applications onto this tablet since it does run Windows? I would like to use this in my car and hook up a GPS device via USB and use a program to turn it into a GPS tablet. I have the WiFi in my vehicle, I just need to find a tablet that would be able to work as a good dashboard screen so I can complete my damned car :P
i would get this looks like a cool home media remote
If they can get an Atom Processor in there, a 16GB SSD, Android, or a stripped Win 7 OS on it, So that you can run either Google Apps, or office/oneNote, an iR keyboard that doubles as a screen cover, and it will be a slam-dunk.
They'll open their market much more fully every student will have one. Just think, Textbook companies could sell copy write protected SD card versions of their Texts, and this would be all you'd drag to class.
They're almost there, and they've almost figured this out, lets see if the marketing geniuses can put that last bit of grey matter to work and get to what most of us students that have already used a tablet PC have already figured out.
Somebody asked for more info, pictures, specifications... Check the JournE Touch official site out: http://www.toshiba-touch.eu
Hope this is helpful :)