My, how the tablets have turned. Despite valiant efforts, even Acer can't
resist the temptation of diving into the ever-expanding e-reader market, but rather than going head to head with Amazon's
Kindle, the company seems to be readying at least
one unique creature for release into the mainstream. Thanks to a stop at Qualcomm's lair here at
Computex, we think we may have found the company's numero dos. In just about every respect, the simply-titled eBook is nothing at all like the
LumiRead; in fact, it looks (sort of) like an
iPhone 4G after pulling a Mark McGwire. We weren't told just how large the screen was, but as you can tell from the gallery below, it's quite long. The device was reportedly made as a way to showcase Qualcomm's aging
MSM7227 processor, and while there's obviously no way to know if this thing is / isn't headed for the production line, it
was running
Android underneath. Unfortunately, responsiveness wasn't this thing's strong suit, and it was fairly obvious that the software wasn't exactly fully baked (we surely hope not, anyway). That said, the form factor could certainly be honed into something practical, and we're sure they could get the UI humming along a bit smoother if they really put their minds to it. For now, it's the gallery below... or nothin'.
Update: Qualcomm pinged us to say that this here device is actually courtesy of Foxconn (rather than Acer). We will point out, however, that the placard on display
clearly states otherwise. Make of it what you will.
posted June 1st 2010 7:31AM
Dear Manufacturers,
After axing just about every tablet you had us drooling over at CES, we demand more actual real products and less unicorns please.
Signed, Engadgeteers
K. Thx.Bai
@Eternity
Seconded. It'd be nice if some real products actually were shown, instead of a constant stream of mockups, tech demonstrations, and prototypes.
Haven't we seen enough unobtanium-based hardware at CES?
@Eternity
True enough. As much as I do like news about new gadgets, what is the point of them if I can not get my hands on them eventually.
@Eternity : Dude, I like unicorns. :|
@Eternity i know! Microsoft is an amazing company and then they show off these really cool products (courier and surface, now also this weird projector thingy) and then they can't manage to put them in the market! Come on M$ use all that money you have to get some really legit products out there!
> Unfortunately, responsiveness wasn't this thing's strong suit, and it was fairly obvious that the software wasn't exactly fully baked.
This is where Apple nailed it with the iPad. Competitors really need to step up the chase or they will be left trailing. Specs aren't everything, user experience is paramount.
@grandmainger
You got it right! For me, the UI and battery life are the real talking points for tablets. not having to plug it in 2 -3 times a day and using the device without feeling exhausted.
@grandmainger
Where have you been hiding ? So far there were awesome anouncements about slate that make the ipad look like the overpriced gimmick it is.
Just look at the exoslate for starters...
@Stormstrike
The keyword in your reply is "announcements". Apart from the iPad, anything actually physically released or demoed so far just hasn't lived up to expectations. Big announcements and exciting spec sheets just don't cut it.
@grandmainger
IMHO, i think that even if the product was better than the ipad, it wont do as well as it because it is not Apple. they have a good fan base.
Yeah, copy that Apple Dock. Android can do much better.
Apart from the oddly offset keyboard, the UI looks delightful, the hardware itself looks wonderful too.
Shame it's not got a bit of oomph to it, as the formfactor (as we're seeing here, the Dell Streak) looks like it'll be popular; smaller than a tablet, bigger than a phone.
Ill chose the gallery below..
and it does look like a bigger iPhone 4G (sans the OS)
Looks nice. If I were to buy a tablet I'd want it to be no greater than 5 inches.
Acer should stop making awful looking UI's 'cause this is getting sad. Just make the hardware and pump some Froyo on there this week please!
@M As much as I like Android, it's UI is terrible. I say put in Froyo but add in a sleak overlay UI to appeal to the masses.
if it has a normal lcd, it isn't an ereader...
just reading engadget makes my eyes hurt....
Who thinks Apple will sue Acer because of the Dock? I do :-)