Best Buy CTO tweets RocketFish-branded tablet pics
By Joanna Stern 
posted August 6th 2010 8:22PM
posted August 6th 2010 8:22PM
We can't say we're all that surprised that Best Buy's planning to start stocking tablets, but we are slightly shocked that its CTO Robert Stephens uploaded some pics of a RocketFish-labeled slate and blasted them out over Twitter earlier today. Beyond the shot above and the one after the break, we don't know much about the HP Slate-looking tablet -- although, Stephens tweeted later that it's a "form factor proto" with no guts inside. He had also said about a month ago on Twitter that "the tablet has a front facing camera....runs Froyo 2.2." We're assuming that he's talking about the same tablet you're peering at above, but we never know what those blue shirts are up to. Obviously, we started following Mr. Stephens already and will be keeping a close eye on him and his new, apparently non-functioning gadget. If you just can't wait to see what double B is working on, we'd probably suggest you do the same.
Hell. Yes.
What I don't get are the people who still complain about Android versions even when he stated that it would have 2.2 on launch. Even Google has said after 2.2 the core of the OS is basically complete and 3.0 will just bring visual enhancements. So consider 2.2 to be a final build and move on guys
The complaint is not about versions. The complaint is that this "open-source" OS is somewhat a fraud, because people are right back to waiting around for the device vendor or service provider to dribble out an "official" OS release.
What people expected was a standard OS that you can download, install, and develop for, without being at the mercy of some underhanded company that drags its ass and tried to inhibit your use of the device YOU OWN.
@Information Central I don't think people really thought that. In any case an OS being open source does not mean its in the wild. And for the most part devs that understand Java and design patterns Rent having a lot of trouble developing for multiple versions. Unless the core of your app centers around a feature on the latest OS just gracefully handle handle calls to functionality that doesn't exist.
These pictures look fantastic to me. I hope the device is for real!
Is that the new iPod touch up the in that case?
@Drift King I was thinking the same thing. It may be the angle, but that doesnt look like the size and shape of the current iPod touch...although the box itself looks to be the same design. Thoughts?
@Drift King that's what I was thinking. .. not really an iPod classic
In the box in the first picture.
i find it fascinating how people just practically orgasm at any mention of "Froyo 2.2"
@keyrol
Question: Have You Used It?
@DaHarder nope, i'm not doubting that it is a great android update, just a fascinated observation at the responses to anything Froyo-related, even if it were (hypothetically) running on a craptastic tablet with awful hardware...
@keyrol I'll orgasm when I start hearing 3.0 and beyond, when Google starts making it easier to replace different components. Which will hopefully reduce the time it takes to get all our devices updated to new versions when they're released; also more drastic UI differentiation would be nice.
Best looking android tablet so far. If they get it right I'll be in for two.
I try to stay as far away from Best Buy as possible.
I wonder how much I can get it for with employee discount?
Hopefully like all Rocketfish products us employees will get a sweet discount! Maybe this will come with Best Buy Connect 3G?
why is it so thick? besides if u got a sweet EVO or DROID X. why would u want to carry around that thing?
still might get it tho :-P
@DoomLight
I think something like that would make a great home theater or home automation remote. Android tablets are really going to have one up on the Ipad with the ability to side load apps. I'm sure that's one of the reasons Ballmer is pushing Windows 7 over Windows Phone for tablets.
@gpsxsirus well not to burst ur bubble but.. theres an app for that..
Release date or it's not happening.
Is it just me or does that look like a giant iphone 4?
Can I just get a stylus that is pointy, so I can take notes on the dang thing?
THIS is the ipad. Not that overpriced junk they sell at Apple.com
This is why I'm holding out for a tablet and not blowing my "wadd" on something of today's low standard. I mean come on its only going to go up from here my friends! _
REALITY CHECK
I like android but if google doesn't redisign the android UI for a tablet version with a high res app store then this will fail.
Enjoy using apps designed for 3" screen with phone UI elements stretched so much.
It's just a big android phone.
@Accelerator
they will with android 3.0. android 3.0 will be aimed at high end phone's and tablets
"We can't say we're all that surprised that Best Buy's planning to start stocking tablets" -- They aren't planning to start, because they already. They carry this little thing called the iPad; maybe you've heard of it.
assessing potential level of want
Perhaps I didn't read the article close enough or perhaps it's just common knowledge but:
Robert Stephens = Geeksquad
Now onto rampant speculation...perhaps this is part of the motivation for the recent partnership to rebrand and resell Clearwire data pipe.
Here's to hoping we see a froyo powered tablet with 4g and a low cost data plan..SOON!
In the first picture it kind of looks like a new iPod Nano in its box, near the top of the picture. Anyone else agree?
@rmbrady
Looks like it has a touch screen though. Although the picture isn't that clear, I can't really make out a scroll wheel.
@rmbrady I just saw that too, It looks to me like an enlarged ipod nano, well actually, it looks exactly like the Zune HD.
I don't quite know why no one has brought it up yet, but what about that iPod case in the background of the photo. It's to hick to be a regular nano, but looks like it has a scroll wheel so can't be a touch. Maybe it's just paranoia setting in, but I think he's given us more than a sneak peek at a house brand tablet.
@FreeFl0w I keep looking at it and it really doesn't look like it has a scroll wheel. Might be the angle, or it may be another leak just like the shot of iPhone 4 in the iPad leak shots.
@FreeFl0w I suppose it could be an iPod touch and it just looks smaller than it is. I guess we'll find out in Sept.
if it has Froyo, a front facing camera, a 1ghz cpu, and a capacitive touchscreen... ill buy one