Comments on: Help us build a $200 web tablet http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:56:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: FireTouch http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-829051 FireTouch Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:20:24 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-829051 I started this: https://firetouch.wordpress.com/ It is not organized real well, but I plan to release my work. https://firetouch.wordpress.com/ I started this:
https://firetouch.wordpress.com/
It is not organized real well, but I plan to release my work. https://firetouch.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Dan http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-828965 Dan Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:57:41 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-828965 I haven't heard anything about this since it was first mentioned... did everyone give up so soon? I haven’t heard anything about this since it was first mentioned… did everyone give up so soon?

]]> By: J, Heuer http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-793221 J, Heuer Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:51:17 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-793221 Hi Mike, sorry to burst the bubble, this idea has been had many, many times over. We worked on getting a low-cost tablet into the market for at least 5 years, with almost a dozen suppliers / partners. None of them could come up with something that worked in the only space required: the market. There is no discernible consumer need to these tablets. Just trust me, there is none. We blew close to $25 million in global product development over more than 5 years, and we did not find one. ONE. Just let it go, and focus your enviable energy on something the consumer wants. Hi Mike,

sorry to burst the bubble, this idea has been had many, many times over. We worked on getting a low-cost tablet into the market for at least 5 years, with almost a dozen suppliers / partners. None of them could come up with something that worked in the only space required: the market.

There is no discernible consumer need to these tablets. Just trust me, there is none. We blew close to $25 million in global product development over more than 5 years, and we did not find one. ONE. Just let it go, and focus your enviable energy on something the consumer wants.

]]> By: kcthnker http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-781997 kcthnker Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:32:25 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-781997 I like the ambition of the project. I wish I had one now. I feel like Veronica from Willey Wonka. I like the ambition of the project. I wish I had one now.

I feel like Veronica from Willey Wonka.

]]> By: Flaviu Udrea http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-778395 Flaviu Udrea Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:18:39 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-778395 Ideea for name: FireBox Ideea for name: FireBox

]]> By: Ryan http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-778267 Ryan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:34:57 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-778267 Sounds so exciting linked here through Giz. It should have a ebook reader element in it as well, simple UI like turn pages button ect. It'd be nice if a custom SDK could be written for it for the basics so that normal non-programming whizzes could program simple applications for it. I don't know am I looking to into it? Also the name, def not Firefox Tablet... You need something revolutionary like the idea... Or something to do with open source... like Nepo (Open backwards) and stuff like that. Then like add something on the end like NepoTab or NepoBat (keeping with the backwards stuff lol) I don't know if I'm being any help here but just throwing suggestions. Also agree on the Ubuntu mobile thing... That OS looks perfect for the job... Also have to agree with the limited access to the OS... I mean if you allow access to the OS you open SO MANY doors for no more in price... Perhaps a little more time but other than that. Oh also like the name suggested Gossamer Sounds so exciting linked here through Giz.

It should have a ebook reader element in it as well, simple UI like turn pages button ect. It’d be nice if a custom SDK could be written for it for the basics so that normal non-programming whizzes could program simple applications for it. I don’t know am I looking to into it?

Also the name, def not Firefox Tablet… You need something revolutionary like the idea… Or something to do with open source… like Nepo (Open backwards) and stuff like that. Then like add something on the end like NepoTab or NepoBat (keeping with the backwards stuff lol) I don’t know if I’m being any help here but just throwing suggestions.

Also agree on the Ubuntu mobile thing… That OS looks perfect for the job… Also have to agree with the limited access to the OS… I mean if you allow access to the OS you open SO MANY doors for no more in price… Perhaps a little more time but other than that.

Oh also like the name suggested Gossamer

]]> By: John http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777989 John Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:19:38 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777989 I have been working on a project of mine that I called tables. I took the motherboard of an ASUS EEE PC and attached it to an old laptop LCD that I had laying around (15" monitor). I bought a touchscreen kit off ebay. It connects through USB. The Point that I am at in the developement of my project is the LCD data cables don't match up. The compaq presario 2100 monitor has a different "plug" then the asus eee pc. Now, They seem to have the same amount of wires. I am currently trying to figure out the wire placement. The cost so far has been roughly 300 for the eee pc, 80 for the touchpanel, the lcd screen i had lying around.. and the time its going to take me to solder the lcd data cable to the eee pc mobo connector. I have been working on a project of mine that I called tables.
I took the motherboard of an ASUS EEE PC and attached it to an old laptop LCD that I had laying around (15″ monitor).
I bought a touchscreen kit off ebay. It connects through USB. The Point that I am at in the developement of my project is the LCD data cables don’t match up. The compaq presario 2100 monitor has a different “plug” then the asus eee pc. Now, They seem to have the same amount of wires. I am currently trying to figure out the wire placement.

The cost so far has been roughly 300 for the eee pc, 80 for the touchpanel, the lcd screen i had lying around.. and the time its going to take me to solder the lcd data cable to the eee pc mobo connector.

]]> By: Stan http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777623 Stan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:59:12 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777623 Thickness of the device is not related with Skype. It's related with PC compatibility and required battery life: - PC compatible, long battery life => thick - PC compatible, thin => short battery life - PC incompatible => small battery, long battery life, no Skype The situation could change soon, as the new generation of PC compatible mobile processors may be comparable with embedded processors regarding the power consumption. The application you refer is not Skype, it is only a license for Skype proxy service. It's unusable for this purpose, as it is not yet ported for any Linux device of any platform. If you would live with a standard VoIP instead of proprierary Skype, you will never reach these problems - SIP applications are easily portable to any embedded device with sufficient computing power. You can try to contract developing of a native Skype application for your device, but I guess that you will pay hundreds of thousands dollars for it. Thickness of the device is not related with Skype. It’s related with PC compatibility and required battery life:

- PC compatible, long battery life => thick

- PC compatible, thin => short battery life

- PC incompatible => small battery, long battery life, no Skype

The situation could change soon, as the new generation of PC compatible mobile processors may be comparable with embedded processors regarding the power consumption.

The application you refer is not Skype, it is only a license for Skype proxy service. It’s unusable for this purpose, as it is not yet ported for any Linux device of any platform.

If you would live with a standard VoIP instead of proprierary Skype, you will never reach these problems - SIP applications are easily portable to any embedded device with sufficient computing power.

You can try to contract developing of a native Skype application for your device, but I guess that you will pay hundreds of thousands dollars for it.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777583 Aaron Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:13:52 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777583 I’ve started a google groups for this for people to get started immediately. I haven’t heard anything back from the organizers so I thought I would start a google groups in the mean time. If anyone wants to dive in, sign up at: http://groups.google.com/group/200-web-tablet I’ve started a google groups for this for people to get started immediately. I haven’t heard anything back from the organizers so I thought I would start a google groups in the mean time. If anyone wants to dive in, sign up at: http://groups.google.com/group/200-web-tablet

]]> By: Aaron http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777519 Aaron Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:41:36 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777519 Maybe we should start a Google Groups? Maybe we should start a Google Groups?

]]> By: Aaron Friedman http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777516 Aaron Friedman Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:37:30 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777516 Correction: IM+ for Skype is an application for a one time $30 fee that you run on your home pc. Your mobile phone connects to it as a service which allows you to make skype phone calls oun your mobile phone. So you need a desktop computer to be perpetually on, 30$ fee for the application, and whatever skype charges. Correction: IM+ for Skype is an application for a one time $30 fee that you run on your home pc. Your mobile phone connects to it as a service which allows you to make skype phone calls oun your mobile phone. So you need a desktop computer to be perpetually on, 30$ fee for the application, and whatever skype charges.

]]> By: Aaron Friedman http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777501 Aaron Friedman Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:22:19 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777501 I might be completely wrong about this, but last I checked Skype had an interface for the iphone and other mobiles: http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=skype Yeah, a contract with Skype will be needed, but the thickness of the device I don't think will be heavily effected. I know that the iphone is a well designed product, but I don't think its thickness is related at all with skype. I might be completely wrong about this, but last I checked Skype had an interface for the iphone and other mobiles: http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=skype
Yeah, a contract with Skype will be needed, but the thickness of the device I don’t think will be heavily effected. I know that the iphone is a well designed product, but I don’t think its thickness is related at all with skype.

]]> By: Nait http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777380 Nait Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:29:27 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777380 I have Nokia N800. I use it as BookReader(FBReader, Evince), for video (mplayer the best player), to surf the Web and as GPS ( Maemo Mapper 2.4 + external GPS). I'm waiting device like n800 with screen 7-10 inches and worktime not less than 10 hours for web surf and book reading. 5 hours for video browsing. I beleive a Tegra chipset will answer for such requirements, but Nvidia is going to support only Windows Mobile platform. The planing price of Tegra divices - $200. I have Nokia N800. I use it as BookReader(FBReader, Evince), for video (mplayer the best player), to surf the Web and as GPS ( Maemo Mapper 2.4 + external GPS).
I’m waiting device like n800 with screen 7-10 inches and worktime not less than 10 hours for web surf and book reading. 5 hours for video browsing.
I beleive a Tegra chipset will answer for such requirements, but Nvidia is going to support only Windows Mobile platform. The planing price of Tegra divices - $200.

]]> By: Stan http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777310 Stan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:41:49 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777310 Skype requirement makes your project far more complicated: You want Skype => It must be PC compatible or you have to make exclusive contract with Skype If it will be PC compatible, you need large battery => the device cannot be thin as you imagine, or you have to live with a short time on battery. You can use an industrial ARM board, flat panel and flat battery, and you can build such device without expensive board development in few days. If you will make an exclusive contract with Skype, they will develop application for your device (Nokia did it for their ARM tablets). Well, ARM based device will not be as powerful as many people expect for MySpace browsing, so you probably will have to live with not-as-thin PC. Skype requirement makes your project far more complicated:

You want Skype => It must be PC compatible or you have to make exclusive contract with Skype

If it will be PC compatible, you need large battery => the device cannot be thin as you imagine, or you have to live with a short time on battery.

You can use an industrial ARM board, flat panel and flat battery, and you can build such device without expensive board development in few days. If you will make an exclusive contract with Skype, they will develop application for your device (Nokia did it for their ARM tablets).

Well, ARM based device will not be as powerful as many people expect for MySpace browsing, so you probably will have to live with not-as-thin PC.

]]> By: Alejandro Bonilla http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-777265 Alejandro Bonilla Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:46:12 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-777265 Please contact me if you are interested in a Few ideas. You guys should make an ML so we can talk more "openly". Please contact me if you are interested in a Few ideas. You guys should make an ML so we can talk more “openly”.

]]> By: Tom http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-776989 Tom Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:54:02 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-776989 great idea guys! how can I help you? Do you have any basic spec? great idea guys! how can I help you? Do you have any basic spec?

]]> By: jadams http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-776805 jadams Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:03:07 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-776805 http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable1.html http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable2.html http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable3.html wifi , skype , flash , 4.3" touch screen looks cute , $190 on ebay http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable1.html
http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable2.html
http://www.cbsa-group.eu/html/body_pc_portable3.html

wifi , skype , flash , 4.3″ touch screen

looks cute , $190 on ebay

]]> By: Aaron http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-776582 Aaron Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:00:32 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-776582 Let me clarify, I'm working on designs to make it multi touch and thin. Let me clarify, I’m working on designs to make it multi touch and thin.

]]> By: dwalk51 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-776556 dwalk51 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:24:44 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-776556 Sounds cool but too hard to keep it really thin. Sounds cool but too hard to keep it really thin.

]]> By: monkeyleader http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/21/help-us-build-a-200-web-tablet/#comment-776529 monkeyleader Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:33:00 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=30466#comment-776529 errr why bother? at the end of the day you could build X for Y but someone will always want this and that meaning Y soon becomes Yx5 which raises the price. Look at the EEE PC for example - what started out as a fantastic idea has slowly morphed into any other low end spec laptop. And then what do you do with this internet only tablet - keep it in the office, stick it in your pocket, use it as a old peoples food tray? Just wait till September - Apple launch the iTablet then we can all lie back and bask in its glory, or at the very least scratch our heads and wonder why? Nige errr why bother? at the end of the day you could build X for Y but someone will always want this and that meaning Y soon becomes Yx5 which raises the price.

Look at the EEE PC for example - what started out as a fantastic idea has slowly morphed into any other low end spec laptop.

And then what do you do with this internet only tablet - keep it in the office, stick it in your pocket, use it as a old peoples food tray?

Just wait till September - Apple launch the iTablet then we can all lie back and bask in its glory, or at the very least scratch our heads and wonder why?

Nige

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