Marvell promising $99 tablet computer

[Kosst Amojan]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=13426

Marvell promising $99 all-in-one HD tablet computer for students



Marvell has announced that they are in the works of developing a tablet computer named Moby that will “change the way students learn.”

That’s a bold statement, but at $99 a pop for a high-performance device, it’s just crazy enough to work.

The 10-inch Moby tablet promises a lot for the price, including 1080p HD video playback, full Flash support, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM/GPS connectivity and even 3D-capability. Not to mention it will be powered by the Marvell ARMADA 600 series of application processors. Marvell also promises a long battery life, which would be essential if needed throughout an entire school day, but there’s no time or specs provided just yet.

With implementation of these tablets in schools around the country, Marvell execs argue that it could reduce and even eliminate the need for students to buy textbooks. Citing a study by the Government Accountability Office in the press release, the average price for one textbook for high school student ranges between $60 to $200. And a lot of textbooks at schools around the nation aren’t even up-to-date, so using digital books could remedy that problem.

These tablets won’t be available to the masses just yet, as they’ll first be circled around a pilot program in the Washington, D.C. school district at participating at-risk schools. Hopefully this program takes off because it sounds like a worthy endeavor.

[Tamara]

They must have some sort of grant because just the hardware alone would cost more than $99. I'm betting they are never sold to the general public at that price.

[DMcCunney]

This should be interesting. The hardware looks nice, but software wasn't mentioned.

The Marvell ARMADA line is based on the ARM7 architecture, with an integrated 3d graphics processor. Marvell bought Intel's former StrongARM division when Intel reorganized and stopped making non-Intel architecture CPUs. ARM processors power many cellphones and PDAs, and there are ARM based netbooks on the drawing board.

My first question is what OS it will run and what software will be available. Offhand, I'd bet on an embedded flavor of Linux, though other possibilities exist.

Google's Android OS initially targets ARM devices, and might be a good choice.
______
Dennis

[Kosst Amojan]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

My first question is what OS it will run and what software will be available. Offhand, I'd bet on an embedded flavor of Linux, though other possibilities exist.

Google's Android OS initially targets ARM devices, and might be a good choice.
______
Dennis

from here its running android

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Kosst Amojan

from here its running android

Ah, good. Thanks!

I have the Android SDK, and was wondering when we'd see things running it that weren't smartphones. It's modular. and OEMs add the parts to support what they plan to offer, so it can potentailly run on all manner of devices.
______
Dennis

[Kosst Amojan]

I think I'd rather use Ubuntu or something of the like, gotta be able to run Calibre after all

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Kosst Amojan

I think I'd rather use Ubuntu or something of the like, gotta be able to run Calibre after all

Calibre is written in Python. Android supports Python: http://google-opensource.blogspot.co...scripting.html

So it ought to be possible to get Calibre up on it.
______
Dennis

[delphidb96]

When they can put a production sample in the hands of my QC person here at Near Space Press so we can run it through it's paces and see if we'll support it, *THEN* I'll be willing to get excited. But OLPC, JooJoo, etc, have made me highly sceptical.

Derek