Innoversal's Pixel Qi-based tablet prototype: $530 for the display of your dreams
By Darren Murph 
posted June 4th 2010 10:23AM
posted June 4th 2010 10:23AM
So, what's that get you? Besides the best power-saving mobile display this world has ever seen (seriously, the crispness and viewing angles were extraordinary), you'll also get a 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor, an integrated SSD (16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities will be available), an SDHC card slot, 8 megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, a SIM card slot (for 3G data), USB 2.0 connectivity, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and a 6-cell (5,300mAh) battery to boot. We were told that the device will support Windows 7, Android, Ubuntu and Chrome OS, with the former two being on display at the show. The working mockup that was on display was sufficiently lightweight and sturdy, and we'd be fibbing to ourselves if we said we weren't giddy about the prospect of holding a finalized unit before Old Man Winter comes to visit. Hop on past the break for a video overview... or else.
@bathellfire
Totally agree and what I've been saying all along. If you feel you need a tablet with full OS like Windows 7, then you will most likely feel you also need a keyboard and mouse for use. The OS is build around the use of muse first, with touch capabilities added. Soon the device you thought you bought for use as a "Tablet" will see most use with a keyboard and mouse attached (great you've bought yourself another PC/laptop).
Bit it's not only the consumers that's confused, these manufacturers are also lost on how to sell such a device. Apple is showing them what consumers want, yet they're still pushing full Windows. Light OS, instant on, Apps that load and close instantly, robust App Store, longs battery life, NO PC maintenance.
@dave95 Wait? IphoneOS is instant on? So I just be imaging having to wait 3 mins for the thing to boot (or reboot).
@sys3175
Who shuts down their iPhone completely?
The point is the OS is light and suitable for what most will be using it for. Consumption, web, games, email and light productivity.
@bathellfire
What kind of software ?
The tools I use in my company to measure sensors, do some remote maintenance with and also do some gps/rfid tagging and scheduling work with.
I have over a dozen apps that only work on windows and require mobility but not really that much keyboard input. Only because all you want is a lightway toy does not mean everyone is the same. There are enough other choices for you and you know what ? its x86...you can put *anything* on it... way more that on some crappy arm anyway.
So better embrace the diversity and free choice and not like apple fanboys the pathetic lack of it...
^_^
@sys3175
I now use my iPod Touch for most of my email in the home now because it's instant.
@bathellfire
There's some software that I'd like to run that only runs on Windows, that's not an unusual or extreme position.
@Carld
You're not the only one.
People with their hip and trendy apps and fancy toys seem to forget that there are a bazillion great applications for the windows platform...
@Stormstrike I pretty sure we are up to a kajillion now.
@bathellfire Trying desperately to justify the fact that the iPad has a crippled OS with limited functionality?
Sucks when you can't do something things like multitask, browse files, network, get backups from home server, print websites, play movies regardless of codec, use a mouse, output to a TV over HDMI, upload photos and videos from your digicam and edit them and upload them in bulk using the flikr tool and similar, hookup a USB optical drive, run flash video or games or applications, use a regular SIM like everyone else, and most importantly work in the application ecosystem that comprises 99% of whats out there.
Still feeling great that you're limited by cellphone grade hardware that can't run OSX?
xD
@bathellfire "When will all these manufacturers finally learn, that Apple succeeded with iPad not because ofthe hardware (even thought it's quite nice), but because the device is running an OS designed for a portable device."
I would say "the hardware is lacking" but you're totally right for the rest of your post.
@N900 Call me when android or WP7 install just as easy as windows 7 or linux.
@Stormstrike
Only because you need special tools for your company doesn't mean everyone else need a full blown OS.
I think a (rugged) convertible, with CULV or i3/i5/i7 CPU, is better suited for those things.
ARM is not crappy at all. It doesn't have the raw power of x86 desktop CPU's but it is extremely power efficient and has more than enough power for devices like tablets. Especially in combination with a graphics chip to handle video-decoding.
@Ducman69
-Multitask: not a phone OS limitation but iPhone OS limitation.
-Browse files: not needed because it not windows and if you really want it there exists file manager apps. But for the second time, it's not needed, or do you also browse file on your phone every day? (unless you have a winmo 6.5 phone).
-Network: Why?
-Get backups from home server: Why? To store them? Not a storage device. To restore your system? It's not windows! :D
-print websites: Really, who does that these days? I can't remember my last time. And with a tablet with 'crappy ARM' you don't need to print them because you can view them everywhere (no 3-6hour batterylife ;) ).
-play movies regardless of codec: All modern codecs are supported, not my problem if you're still stuck with DivX of something like that. There are tons off applications (yeah for windows even more) to convert them if needed.
-use a mouse: I lol'd, really, it's a TABLET, not a desktop, why do you need a mouse? Or is windows not that finger friendly after all?
output to a TV over HDMI: iPad limitation, not other tablets.
-upload photos and videos from your digicam..: iPad limitation, not other tablets. And even that's not completly true because there is the possibility to buy an SD-card dongle.
-..and edit them: wrong, there exist online photo editing tools, in HTML5 (not even a need for flash). And if you want more serious editing with photoshop.... well that's really cool.. on a desktop or laptop.
-and upload them in bulk using the flikr tool and similar: Again, better suited for a desktop/laptop. A tablet is for consuming media, not creation. It's NOT a desktop/laptop replacement. And well, I would be surprised if these wasn't an app for that.
hookup a USB optical drive: I lol'd again, like with the mouse. Buying a tablet for mobility and then attaching an optical drive to it. The only reason I see (again, on a mobile OS, not windows) would be viewing a movie or listening to music, but common, who uses an optical drive for that these days when everyting can be ripped and stored on the internal memory or memorystick/card. And even with windows, why do you need it? You can get everything from the internet and the same comment for mobile OS'es applies to this one to, store it on the internal memory or USB-stick/card.
-run flash video or games or applications: Not needed with HTML5. Like I said, there exist pretty advanced apps in HTML5 TODAY already. Besides, it's an iPad/iPhone limitation only, not a mobile OS limitation. Android will get flash, WP7 prolly to.
-use a regular SIM like everyone else: microSIM's are not apple's proprietary standard SIM's. One day everyone will use the new micro standard.
-and most importantly work in the application ecosystem that comprises 99% of whats out there: And 95% of them you would rather use on a desktop/laptop instead of a tablet. For the other 4% there exist alternatives (apps) for a mobile OS.
Trying desperately to justify the need for a full desktop OS on a tablet? A tablet with a desktop OS (especially windows) is just another computer but with crap netbook internals and without keyboard in a tablet formfactor.
It had to be an Atom...
Good to know that 2 of Pixel Qi's "half a dozen" partners so far are no-name startups.
If Pixel Qi ever offers their DIY kits, it looks like I'll just have to go that route.
I see an iPad replacement in my future.
@Carld Don't count on it. iPad is a mobile device for those who don't need a computer to do common tasks like read email and browse the internet. This thing is an attempt to replace a computer, but lacks the keyboard. Also, it can't be considered an iPad killer, because it's not a mobile device.
Once again, it's a crippled computer with sluggish, full blown OS. Get Android on it, then it'll make sense (with UI designed for it).
@bathellfire It is battery powered, has an on screen keyboard, a touch screen which removed the need for the mouse and weighs in at the same as an ipad.. I don't see how you can say it isn't portable. I doubt it will be any good, however it is surely just as portable.
this display finaly looks good with backlight, now what about some production units? and come on .. 1024x600? :(
@Formul They are working on other sizes but you know how it goes: a good product like this has to fight for it's right of existence. High profits are made on glossy TN LCD panels these days. They sell pretty good to average Joe. "Ooeh this looks nice.. so shiny.. must be good..".
I was so blown away by viewing the Chrome web browser running in Windows 7. You have sold me Engadget. Your commitment to making sure softball/vanilla posts never happen for the majority market is intact. I also love how the other comments stick it to Apple about ports because as we all know...all the other tablets out there are thriving with their ports and capacitive screens.
Wait...what...there are no other tablets? None of them are beyond the prototype stage? Dell made one?! You're surely yanking my chain mister.
Nice! I like the thought of running Windows 7 on a tablet, but ONLY if it runs as quick as the iphone os or android. I dont want to fight with sluggish performance on a tablet device.
Notion Ink better hurry their asses up. If I don't see something soon from them (like a release date and price) I may just go ahead and pony up for something like this.
The PixelQi is what I am looking for. So far Notion Ink's stats look better with Tegra 2 and HDMI and all that shnazz, but if they don't hurry I may just settle on those other things and grab the best PixelQi screened tablet available.
@newtybar True, and I also hope they use the 3Qi screen and not the older generation.
@angelusp
Then I look for any traces of anti-virus softwares.
I run Windows 7 on a Sony Viao and love it, but when I am using a tablet, I just want to get lost in what I am consuming, not worrying about Windows maintenance in the background, constant update prompts (Java, Adobe etc) and all the other usual.
Here we go again. Meh, to the official review I say. But good to see someone trying a different route. I do hope it at least makes it to the market and not 10 months from now.
As soon as I get any non ipad tablet, I'm uninstalling windows 7.
Throw on windows 7 Home premium along with some sort of digitizer pen layer, and this would be something I would buy.
Getting real sick of seeing tablets.....
You couldn't make it any glossier, could you? Seriously, widescreen and glossy screens are the curse of this century.
@Blowout Precursor
I think the PixelQi needs that top glossy (transreflective layer or something like that) in order to work.
I think you are worried about outside legibility...but the Qi is supposedly perfectly legible outdoors.
It's the best of both worlds (color saturation indoors and legibility outdoors)!
Read up on the tech.
@newtybar
its not the best of both worlds... glossy only looks better (which is debatable) on look budget screens. Every matte quality panel blows those cheap glossy tn-panels away.
Glossy is always bad. I don't want to sacrifice readability so that some people can have shiny screens matching their empty souls...
^_^
@newtybar Pizel Oi is Trans-Reflective, which means, that the light must first be transmitted through the screen, and the reflected BEHIND it. Therefore, Pixel Qi displays will suck big time, if they will be paired with glossy cover.
@stoffer
Ah I see, thanks for the clarification fellas.
Down with glossy!
Change the glass to something less glossy, add wacom digitizer support with pressure sensitivity, force the major productivity software companies to make efficient versions for Android (like Painter, AutoCad) and BAM! Instant success.
@Bhima
Autocad on android! someone pick me up!! xD
preorder link? Please, before my drool gets ruins my keyboard.
Another day, another prototype.
Happy iPad user for 2 MONTHS now. When is someone actually going to ship a decent competitive product? How hard can it be?
@wilvo A competitive product to the iPad already exists, its called an iPod Touch.
People love netbooks, there have been millions upon millions sold. This is a new form factor for them. It will compete with keyboarded and convertible netbooks, which already exist.
@wilvo
My 4 year old Motion Computing tablet running windows xp tablet edition does more than your ipad, Might be older, might be slower because of the 1.2ghz cpu and 1 gig of ram, the fact that it has USB ports and I can run photoshop and pretty much any program my heart desires makes it better.
I hope you are enjoying your ipod touch with giant screen.
@rickscv
So it's, bigger, heavier, slower but somehow it's better? There's a reason tablets running desktop os's didn't sell you know, it's because they were rubbish. How much did it cost you by the way?
Apple are suceeding so far because they made the iPad an appliance, small, light, long battery life. They understood that a tablet had to be more than a laptop without a screen.
Currently the iPad does everything I want it to, when it doesn't, I'll buy something else.
@Ducman69 Thats like saying a mini is a competing product to a Dodge Ram.
As for netbooks, they've never been very good have they? People have flirted with them for the last 18 months, but I think this category will shrink as people move to tablets.
@wilvo *without a keyboard even :-)
Getting there... very close.
Now it needs input for both finger and stylus.
It doesn't even have to be that smart about it.
I'd happily take it with a simple toggle switch to chose which I wanted... multi-touch or stylus.
Also... with windows pushing to have itself on these devices - do you think they could assign an intern or somebody to do a few days work and come up with a switchable GUI setup with larger buttons.
I mean...
Seriously....
Come on!
Argh, what video processor is it running? Why do these things have to make my decision so hard!
@Sicarius123
The article said: 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor
@Stormstrike
That's not video, that's just the processor.
Seems this has a better screen than the ExoPC, but the ExoPC has the Broadcom Crystal HD.
Power sipping computers, power sipping displays, now all we need is a replacement (or major upgrade) for the battery.
@ChaosEntity LiPos aren't THAT old and are getting better every day. Plus, soon nano-tech batts will go mainstream. =)
@bathellfire "When will all these manufacturers finally learn, that Apple succeeded with iPad not because ofthe hardware (even thought it's quite nice), but because the device is running an OS designed for a portable device."
I would say "the hardware is lacking" but you're totally right for the rest of your post.
Sweeeeet, now I have two tablets to look at for school: the Adam and Innoversal!