Astak prototype with Android

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dalliard

My dear Mr. Barry:

I fear you are not charging nearly enough for these wonderful devices.

Dear Mr. Dalliard:

Thank you. BUT... what is more important than making money right now has to be user loyalty! With almost no advertising... word of mouth is spreading the word. People are talking about the Pocket PRO. Reviewers are overwhelmingly loving it. Yes, Astak wanted to bring out the Pocket PRO at $229. (We actually did for the first few days or so). BUT... enough people on MobileRead Forum saidf $200 or under and we changed the price and even refunded money.

IF we can increase our order quantity with the factory we can expand the margin while hopefully lowering the price. It was rewarding that reviewers and media came to us at CES rather than always chasing them. I KNOW this is because we priced right.

It is maddening to make so little... but rewarding to gain in popularity. I hate being the "Best Kept Secret"... but at least we are gaining traction!!

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Javed

@Pshrynk (or anyone else who may know about this) please

I saw this at Wikipedia about a restriction with using Android:


I am wondering what the implications of this means in a practical sense. Would this effect the ability to use java based chatrooms or games on yahoo chat for example from an Android based device?

Well I had a look at the wikipedia page, and it will run Java applications if they were compiled using the Dalvik Virtual Machine (a mobile based java - not JVM standard). So my interpretation is if the application is compiled using Sun's JDK it wont run on Android, but if you get the application source and compile it using Dalvik Virtual Machine it should run without changes to the source.

Funny though, Sun Java wont run on Android yet to build the Android OS you need Sun Java (OpenJDK wont work). Hmmmm

[Javed]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Well I had a look at the wikipedia page, and it will run Java applications if they were compiled using the Dalvik Virtual Machine (a mobile based java - not JVM standard). So my interpretation is if the application is compiled using Sun's JDK it wont run on Android, but if you get the application source and compile it using Dalvik Virtual Machine it should run without changes to the source.

Funny though, Sun Java wont run on Android yet to build the Android OS you need Sun Java (OpenJDK wont work). Hmmmm

Thanks for the reply, Solicitous. Seems strange indeed how the Sun java won't run on Android but is needed as part of building its OS. I am rather interested in an MID but my main concern is about any limitations upon what may be accessed/used with it. I might look up a bit more about Dalvik VM.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by QIbHom

Having had to support java software, I'm not sure java is compatible with java. To be fair, I haven't done any Android programming.

MS has certainly done their best to break the original java, too.

If you've got specific web pages you want tested, I have a Nexus and can see if they work.

Thanks QIbHom. There are no specific pages. My main concern would be regarding java based online chat rooms and any effect upon yahoo chat. An MID with webcam and chat abilities seems excellent as long as the OS can encapsulate all that is required to perform this task.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

I am understanding that Windows CE is NOT what most want. The android is better and stabler!

I have taken all your posts, copied them, and am sending them off to ouir Engineers!!

I'd prefer WinCE over any other device, but that's just me... Unless Android has an application in which I can read my (non-DRM) mobipocket books and lets me highlight sentences, I'll not go for an Android device (or any other OS, for that matter).

[QIbHom]

Javed, there is a yahoo messenger client for Android. I'm signed in on it right now. Works fine.

As to java chat pages, no idea. I usually don't do that kind of thing on my phone.

[Javed]

@QIbHom
That''s great to know, thanks again.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

A bit more on Spectrum:

One of the protoypes was in Android. Two others are in Windows.

The Spectrum will likely have a camera on the back for taking pictures and will have a camera on the front for communication with friends.

LCD screen. Projected battery life about ten hours.

Remember... these are prototypes and we are hoping for Q2 release. Specs may change. Messenger is planned.

The reason I am sharing this is that I do not want rumours to start. It is too early in development to say too much more about it. I do think it is a great concept and it appears very much for real.

Q2 has started, any updates on a release date?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by John F

Q2 has started, any updates on a release date?

Dear John:

We are still madly working on it... HARD. The problem is the iPad came out and 85 bazilian people want to buy it. We have to look at this.

In my stupid opinion, our MID would beat the iPad for the following reasons:

1. Half the cost
2. Longer battery charge life
3. Is light enough you really CAN read eBooks on it (TRY holding an iPad for ten minutes)
4. Internet camera and regular camera
5. Does more than the iPad
6. Is full color like iPad

Must allow that iPad good at present because of its Apps (not our strength)

So... they are still very hard at work on it. WHEN? They will not even tell me. Coming? Yes.

[bob1xxx]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear John:

We are still madly working on it... HARD. The problem is the iPad came out and 85 bazilian people want to buy it. We have to look at this.

In my stupid opinion, our MID would beat the iPad for the follwoing reasons:

1. Half the cost
2. Longer battery charge life
3. Is light enough you really CAN read eBooks on it (TRY holding an iPad for ten minutes)
4. Internet camera and regular camera
5. Does more than the iPad
6. Is full color like iPad

Must allow that iPad good at present because of its Apps (not our strength)

So... they are still very hard at work on it. WHEN? They will not even tell me. Coming? Yes.

This is very Cool , as long as it open to other android app sources, if your pricing right and allow for sd memory expansion and usb support this should a really kick arse product

[John F]

Originally Posted by Robertb

...

So... they are still very hard at work on it. WHEN? They will not even tell me. Coming? Yes.

If you can give me something definite in the next 3 hours, you may prevent an IPad sale.

[Davimee]

Originally Posted by John F

If you can give me something definite in the next 3 hours, you may prevent an IPad sale.

Hi John, I don't think Robert monitors the forums on weekends. Hopefully he's home, relaxing, or doing something non-work related. He does pretty well keeping up with the forums Monday through Friday, though. And if you do get an ipad, you'll have to let us know what you think! I'll admit, I am curious... but not curious enough to put down the money for one. Plus, I really like my Pocket Pro, and wouldn't trade it for any other electronic device out there!

[RobbK]

Well I for one am really hoping this comes out soon Robert. I would really like to use it in the show. Our official start of filming is June 1st.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by RobbK

Well I for one am really hoping this comes out soon Robert. I would really like to use it in the show. Our official start of filming is June 1st.

The engineer in charge of the MID has been in Asia for three weeks and so I cannot get any update yet. I justhave the assurance of the Operations Manager that they are still going full speed on this!

[RobbK]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The engineer in charge of the MID has been in Asia for three weeks and so I cannot get any update yet. I justhave the assurance of the Operations Manager that they are still going full speed on this!

No worries Robert just trying to help spread the Astak love!!