http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/08/30...t-prototype-a/

It appears that TechCrunch has actually developed a prototype internet tablet of their own that's completely open source, including the hardware. (well, as open as the hardware can be anyways) I wonder what Nokia will think of this.

Either way, what do you guys think of it, aside from the fact that it's just a prototype?

It's going to be a 10-12" screen, so I wouldn't even say it's direct competition to the NITs.

Anyhow, let's wait and see if they can reach the target price etc...there are a few HUGE if's ahead imho.

When I read the original article this summer (found HERE), I had two reactions. First: WHY? In the article, they basically described the N8x0 tablets. Why expend energy reinventing the wheel? Perhaps they will work on what they believe is a cooler/better/funkier interface. That's why the iPhone is always compared to the tablets -- same stuff, different interface.

My second reaction was "that's not going to happen." It is indeed impressive that they have some kind of alpha device in about 5 weeks. Now the rough part will start -- things like workable beta models, SDKs, and interesting applications are tough. Just look how looooong it's taken to get a workable Neo Freerunner or Pandora box.

If they can pull something like their original diagrams off...it might be interesting to look at.

TechCrunch's R & D department looks like a corner of my spare bedroom.

It s already twice larger ... it s not so thin as they expected.

Well, A) it's only a prototype, so size final is irrelevant at this point, and B) the entire tablet, hardware, OS and all is open source, not just the IOS. That's what they're shooting for. Something the OSS community can call their own that's not regulated by the whims and wishes of corporate america. That way if you want more memory, just add it. Need a bigger or smaller screen? Change it. Need a different processor? Change it. It's about flexibility and end user freedom of choice in both hardware and OS mostly.

Lord Raiden, that sounds a bit overly enthusiastic to me - hardware changes require more than just a recompile. Some company will have to build it...

Get one of them 3D printers. Hey! they're OS too!

Well, they seem to be after something around 2-3x the size; some people are rather interested in that.

As for the open aspect, that's not all they're after; as I understand it, Pandora's got that covered, too. Their goals, though, are a marked contrast to Pandora, and very much IT; it seems Fremantle might be an ideal OS for this. (It could be the first non-Nokia device shipping a production Maemo, which would be cool.)

But I think they'll have trouble matching the resolution; IIRC, I saw the resolution spec'd at 1024 (wide) minimum (they haven't selected a screen yet); that's absolutely pathetic, IMHO. If they can keep the same resolution (225/inch) with a 10" display, it'd be about 1920x1200; that'd be great, but I think they'll be lucky to get 1280x720 with the price they're trying for. That cuts down its benefit over current NITs immensely, and I just don't see the point of a 1024x768 or less, 10" IT.

Anyway, more competition is better; more devices means one of them'll be closer to perfect for each of us. I wish them luck.

With web-as-platform you can make gears enabled web apps that run just as well disconnected as connected. Who needs a SDK.

Google chrome would be great for a device like this ;-)