K-Mart? Yes.
The $150 device runs with the Android OS and has the following specs:
- Runs Android 2.1 OS
- 7 Inch 800×480 TFT Touch Display
- 800mhz Processor
- 2GB internal storage
- SD/MMC slot to expand the storage by another 16GB
- WiFi
- Leather carrying case
Engadget has some info on it plus a video from somebody that actually has one of the units (be prepared to see the dude’s hairy legs).
In the video, the person was able to download from the Android Marketplace, but according to this item, Google is keeping the app store off all “non-smartphone” devices.
I don’t think anybody will tag this device as an “iPad killer” but I think there is definitely a market for this device. The new lower grade wireless Kindle is $139. But it is only a reader. If the Android Market is open on the GenTouch, then one could simply download the Kindle for Android app. Now that person has the reader and a device to browse the web, check email, etc. And it comes at a savings of at least $350 over the iPad.
What do you think? Are the Android tablets going to catch on or will Apple rule the marketplace on these kinds of devices?
Apple forced everyone to stop trying to make a tablet that would replace laptops. Instead they asked what can a tablet do best and focused on a device that best met those needs. So in a lot of ways they provided a shortcut for everyone else. I think we will see many viable devices in the next 6 moths that leverage the concept Apple validated. Many will of course will be Android based, Microsoft has promised a response as well. But those are not the devices I will be looking for. I will be watching for the WebOS based device from HP. If HP can mate WebOS with quality hardware it has the potential to another true rival to the iPad. Most people don’t know that many of the ballyhooed features in iphone iOS4 were already present in WebOS. During the time I carried the PALM Pre I throughly enjoyed WebOS, the hardware was a letdown though. If HP corrects that they have a mobile platform that can take on any rival.
With an 8GB iPod Touch costing only $49 more I think a niche device with no app store is going to be a tough sell. Especially after this fall when a Touch comes out with front and rear cameras that connect to other iPhones and iPod Touches (perhaps?).
Tim,
Palm and Android both have “app stores”. Palms is small for sure, about 3500 apps. Android Marketplace was boasting a respectable 30K plus in March and is growing at a rapid clip.
One major advantage WebOS has that I forgot to mention in my previous comment is the ability to update over the air, it’s a giant leap forward compared to the clumsy “stick your tongue out and hope it works” process required for apple mobile products.
Don’t get me wrong Tim, I think apple is getting more things right than anyone else ( I carry an iPhone). Microsoft, Google and HP all have the resources to compete but will they. HP might have an advantage since they will have just one hardware platform to focus on instead of the dozens Google and Microsoft will have to support.
I was specifically referring to this line from the article if it is indeed true: “Google is keeping the app store off all “non-smartphone” devices.” If this device can indeed download and run apps that’s all well and good, but with no dedicated UI for tablet devices or apparent SDK optimized for them I think it’s curious that people seem to think an Android tablet is going to take on the competition anytime soon. I agree with you that WebOS looked hot, almost went with the Pre but backed away because of hardware as well. HP could have some decent competition on their hands if they treat that right.
You are right about the Android “app” store I forgot to take in to account that don’t formerly support tablet devices. Do you suppose that’s because of the development of the Chrome OS? It’s been a while since I have heard anything about it though.