Very interesting : this is where Nokia is very different from the competition (Pandora and Always Innovating):
Originally Posted by Always Innovating website
Note on the First Batch: Beta Software
We are very excited to have finalized the Touch Book hardware. As you know, we are at the cutting edge of innovation with a new processor, a new architecture, a new design and new applications. The Touch Book Operating System will continue to be a work-in-progress over the next few months. As beta software (and not beta à la Google News), you should not expect a flawless experience by July. But don't worry, we will be here to provide support, and we intend to push frequent updates so as to continue improving the user experience. With your feedback, we will be able to test, refine, and prepare for a final software release later this year.
Moreover, we will offer the choice of operating systems backed by partners, which are heavily invested on the hardware platform the Touch Book is based on. The Touch Book is built to last!
I wouldn't be surprised if Always Innovating is borrowing heavily from the Fremantle codebase...
Very interesting : this is where Nokia is very different from the competition (Pandora and Always Innovating):
I wouldn't be surprised if Always Innovating is borrowing heavily from the Fremantle codebase...
Thats great, and BETTER than Nokia. Why, because they release the product, and FIX the problems the users report. Who cares what codebase they use. Because they admit they will be in beta, people will try harder to help and improve thier personal experience. This is the beauty of Open Source (sharing and feedback), and I think Nokia misses this point, with all the "fixed in fremantle" stuff.
Thats great, and BETTER than Nokia. Why, because they release the product, and FIX the problems the users report. Who cares what codebase they use. Because they admit they will be in beta, people will try harder to help and improve thier personal experience. This is the beauty of Open Source (sharing and feedback), and I think Nokia misses this point, with all the "fixed in fremantle" stuff.
Always Innovating and Pandora have benefited heavily from the stuff Nokia has sent upstream and open sourced.
Releasing beta code works for small companies because the users know what they're getting into. When I buy something from a big box retailer I don't expect beta. I expect finished, polished software - not promises. Go to the Zonbu forums and talk to the people there about promises that weren't fulfilled and now the founder has moved on to Always Innovating.
Fremantle is taking awhile because this device/software will be Nokia's flagship and the market will not be gentle to them releasing something half baked. The N97 already proved that point.
I wouldn't be surprised if Always Innovating is borrowing heavily from the Fremantle codebase...
AFAIK the "Touchbook OS" is a beagleboard-ready Angstrom distro with a fancy desktop front-end, if it does get fremantle stuff, it is more likely through cross-pollination via the beagleboard than direct borrowing by Always Innovating.
Personally, I think that without an established company and userbase, it's a bit a of waste to reinvent the desktop/wheel (this trap got OpenMoko to an extent, as well). I guess when they started Mer was way off the roadmap and there are not much many alternatives for an embedded desktop except for the Zaurus descendant they went with in the end. I don't see them being able to carry such a burden for too long so it will leak users to Android and, in time, (depending on progress) Mer.
If we go back to the topic... anyone heard anything when Pandora should actually ship? Their website "latest status" hasn't shown any progress for many months... Starts to look like Nokia will win this round, when you can say that RX-51 has at least passed FCC while that is still on the "to do" list on Pandora team...
I was just over checking the unofficial roadmap on the Pandora, and they're hoping to have the case mould done by the beginning of September.
Nokia might have passed FCC, but Pandora may be more nimble getting units out the door and into the hands of users, especially since those users have prepaid. Depending on where he is on the waiting list, fanoush may still get his Pandora first...
I'm also not sure I want to put the Touchbook in the same category as the Pandora or Nokia's Internet Tablets since the Touchbook is DEFINITELY not pocket-sized. Not even cargo pockets will hold that.
