Always Innovating Touch Book Nearing Release

[talking_walnut]

Thought I'd post this as it doesn't seem to be mentioned elsewhere except for an old discussion here. The Always Innovating website has been updated with more info and promises of initial shipments before the end of July. From their site:

Initial Shipment Expected July 2009

If you are in the market for a highly portable second computer, good news! We intend to start shipping the Touch Book next month, in July 2009. Our first batch of Touch Books is already in production. Check out photos of the very first unit below and stay tuned for the precise shipping date.
Click here to see the gallery!

If you have already pre-ordered, you will receive an email message with more detailed information before your order is processed. We appreciate both your patience and your business!

For those that don't know what it is, it's basically a Netbook with a detachable touchscreen. The touchscreen part contains all the number crunching bits and a 3hr battery, while the other part has a keyboard and extra battery to give up to 15hrs. I know it's not technically an eBook reader but the detachable touchscreen might provide a nice compromise to us that can't afford a netbook and reader at the moment

Here's the hardware specs and software info from the site:

Hardware specifications

We are publishing the final specifications and we are glad to say that we are extremely close from what we initially announced back in March:

* Texas Instruments OMAP3530 with Micron 256MB (RAM) + 256MB (NAND) Memory
* 8.9 inches 1024x600 A+ screen
* Main storage: 8GB SD card — we decided to change from Micro SD to standard SD, so that you can easily upgrade it
* USB wifi 802.11 b/g/n dongle powered by a Ralink 3070 chipset
* USB bluetooth class 2.1
* FCC, CE, UL-certified, 5V, 3.5A power adapter
* 8.9 inches pressure sensitive touch screen
* US Qwerty 24cm-large keyboard — around 95% of the size of a standard keyboard
* Cirque Touchpad
* Two Owolff high-quality internal stereo speakers
* 3D accelerometer
* Two internal batteries 6000 and 12000mAh — it can be replaced with a screw driver
* 7 USB ports: three external, four internal, three of them may be reserved for wifi, bluetooth and keyboard
* Bi-color silver/black case — see photos — with a beautiful dark-red back cover (we decided to go only for red for the first batch as it really jumps out, you won't regret it).
* Secured attachment system of tablet into keyboard
* Independent magnet system for the tablet — we don't want your Touch Book to un-magnetize all your credit cards while carrying it in your bag!

Software beta and roadmap

In July, the default beta Touch Book OS will include:

* Linux 2.6.29 with all the required drivers
* Xfce 4.4 desktop environment
* A unique 3D interface for starting applications with your finger
* Firefox 3.0 and Fennec beta 2
* Youtube and daily motion support
* A video and music player
* Abiword and Gnumeric
* A chat manager, Pidgin
* Mypaint 5.1
* An ebook reader, Fbreader
* A printer manager, Cups
* All usual accessories (zip, picture viewer, dictionary...)
* Support for most standard USB accessories
* Java support

The software roadmap towards release 1.0 will include the following:

* Upgrade to the latest of all the applications already mentioned
* Skype compatible application
* OpenOffice 3.1
* A full Adobe Flash solution
* Recognizition of the Touch Book by iTunes to synchronize your music and video
* A Google-maps-based application with GPS support (GPS USB not included)
* Some 3D accelerometer-based iPhone games

Also, we will also offer or give strong support for a Google Android image.

First thing to note is it's an ARM based processor so all you people that won't use Linux (the fools ) are out of luck. No WindowsXP/Vista or MacOS on this baby.

Notice as well that Fbreader is included as default in the software lineup. I don't know anything about this software but it's nice to see they are considering eBook readers in the design!

It's priced at $399 for the tablet and keyboard. Might seem a bit steep but tablets usually are. Haven't seen any reviews of it yet which is making me hold off on buying it. I'd like to see how it holds up in the real world. Anyone out there feeling more adventurous?

[Sweetpea]

Too bad for the lack of Windows. I won't buy a device that only supports Linux.

It looks good otherwise.

[junkyardwillie]

It would make a cool PixelQi device

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Too bad for the lack of Windows. I won't buy a device that only supports Linux.

It looks good otherwise.

ARM based processors are supported by Windows Mobile (WinCE). For example look at JE100 eBook in our wiki.

Dale

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

ARM based processors are supported by Windows Mobile (WinCE). For example look at JE100 eBook in our wiki.

Dale

I responded to this

Originally Posted by talking_walnut

First thing to note is it's an ARM based processor so all you people that won't use Linux (the fools ) are out of luck. No Windows or MacOS on this baby.

And I know ARM based processors support WinCE, as my PDA is an ARM based processor

(I wonder who the fool is, actually)

[talking_walnut]

Originally Posted by junkyardwillie

It would make a cool PixelQi device

Exactly what crossed my mind

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I responded to this



And I know ARM based processors support WinCE, as my PDA is an ARM based processor

(I wonder who the fool is, actually)

Well that was aimed at the more casual user who doesn't know the difference between an x86 and ARM processor and would want XP or OSX on it. If you know what an ARM processor is, chances are you'll know WinCE will run on it. A lot of people would never have heard of WinCE.

I'll edit the original post for more pedantic among us. Rest easy now knights of the internet!

[lmarie]

I'm on the preorder list for the Touchbook -- I'm looking for a small extremely portable tablet to use in my classroom for recording grades on the spot (working hard to reduce my paperwork.) I'll post my thoughts about it, if and when the thing ever shows up!

[Robertb]

Astak is in the process of designing a 7.5 inch MID (Mobile Internet Device) that will combine numerous elements of computer, VoIP, and eBook Reader into a new portable device.

We have purchased one of these devices to study how they did the split tablet approach and see if it will work for us.

We try to look at every known possibility before we release our own device. I cannot give out any additional details on our new device as it is classified.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Astak is in the process of designing a 7.5 inch MID (Mobile Internet Device) that will combine numerous elements of computer, ...

It sounds good, but to my eyes, about 9" is the smallest I'd want for comfortable PDF reading and Web browsing. I've been waiting to see how the Touch Book comes out, or the A700 (both 8.9")

P.S. I wish you guys would hurry up with your touch 9.7 e-Ink, I am looking to get rid of my 6" K2.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Sonist

It sounds good, but to my eyes, about 9" is the smallest I'd want for comfortable PDF reading and Web browsing. I've been waiting to see how the Touch Book comes out, or the A700 (both 8.9")

P.S. I wish you guys would hurry up with your touch 9.7 e-Ink, I am looking to get rid of my 6" K2.

Dear Sonist:

Just between us lovers of eBook Readers... I am dying to get a 9.7 inch in and start testing it.

I know, of course, the problem. The actual manufacturing of the Flexi screens is on schedule and will begin in September. NOBODY can build Flexi-screened 9.7 inch until they have panels. It is driving me crazy waiting.

I mean, I had dinner two weeks ago with PVI and it is all on schedule... but that does not mean I love the schedule. I understand; but damned sure wish for sooner.

[kjk]

Hmmm...this is the newest thread I could find on the Touchbook-apparently it finally shipped?

http://discuss.gdgt.com/always-innov...r-of-a-device/