Wanted: Low-Cost $200 Web Tablet
Techtree News Staff, Jul 25, 2008 1615 hrs IST
The race is on to build the cheapest web tablet.
The race is on amongst netbooks, nettops, tablet PCs and other mobile Internet devices to produce systems to surf the web at the cheapest price. Between the fluff of ultra portable, mobile and meant for internet-only devices, geeks look for best of both, sorry, all the worlds. What they crave for is the web tablet.
Web Tablet would essentially be a WiFi-enabled gadget for surfing the web and using web services like Instant Messaging and VoIP. Lightweight, slim and not too bloated with softwares is what tech evangelists and geeks look forward to.
Michael Arrington, tech blogger, has blogged about creating his own web tablet costing about $200, reports Techcrunch. The report also mentioned that existing Axiotron's Mac OSX based Modbook launched at MacExpo 2007 (available in US and Canada only) and the Dell Latitude XT are expensive web tablet, available at an aggregate price of $2500.
In his post, Arrington mentions about building a slim MacBook Air-like form factor web table loaded with modified Linux OS, Firefox browser and Skype. The hardware requirements were decent enough for a web tablet - 512MB RAM, 4GB SSD, built-in battery, USB port(s), WiFi support, built-in webcam, microphone, decent speakers, and audio ports.
With no bloatware applications to give a desktop-like view, Firefox browser will be loaded with extension-like buttons for basic web services - Google Docs, Email, IM services, Photo sharing services, video sites, and rest social networks. What must be truly appreciated is bypassing desktop interface and directly hopping to a Kiosk mode.
Three vital points must be considered for creating such web tablet - first, with new web technologies and services sprouting in the Web 2.0 urges for decent mobile processor like existing Intel Atom chips (no, we aren't promoting, but it's the best option available). Secondly, basic support for PDF, NET, Java, Adobe AIR and Flash must be included. And most important point is that working on an open source project that relies on crowd-sourcing demands more output time.
It's hard for normal users to understand how one can forget the Nokia Internet Tables - N770, N800 and N810 - all three optimized for better Internet browsing experience.
Many OEMs like Asus, Gigabyte, Acer, Samsung, etc. have been releasing mobile Internet devices and tablet computing systems and have more in the pipeline, due for release this year. With Techcrunch's Web Tablet project we'll see close ties between the developer community and tech-evangelists.
Though the effort is ambitious, it makes sense for users aspiring for Internet-only features. Check out foot prints of TechCrunch's web tablet project here and here.
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