Tag Archives: Android tablet
thechromesource Weekend: Links for 9/19/10
Posted on 19. Sep, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 
0 Comments
Is the rumored Google tablet set for launch this November going to be based on Chrome OS or Android?
DownloadSquad’s Lee Mathews sees signs of an impending Chrome Web Store launch.
Google’s future social strategy is different from what everyone has been writing, according to Eric Schmidt.
Is there too much fragmentation in Google’s current mobile platform?
Former Google search “killer” Cuil appears to be running out of gas.
Reuters: Tablets Will Run Chrome OS, Not Android
Posted on 07. Sep, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 21 Comments
Reuters is reporting this morning that during a closing keynote speech at IFA, a consumer electronics show held in Germany that Eric Schmidt said Google-powered tablets will run Chrome OS as opposed to Android.
I tracked down a webcast of the presentation (you can see it here) but let’s consider the fact that at present Google has officially signed off on only one tablet on Android which is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. That means it is the only slate capable of using Android Market.
Google wants to really ramp up the Chrome Web Store, and that’s part of the motivation for this. By having both Google TV and Chrome OS products that utilize the Chrome Web Store, they are hoping to gain momentum for this new platform.
But that doesn’t mean there is not a place for Android. Schmidt concedes in the presentation that the smartphone will soon overtake the PC in terms of sales with no looking back. While everyone will need a smartphone in the future, the need for a PC will only be required for those that have special purposes for them.
Other interesting facts from the presentation: Chrome now has seventy million users, and it is four times faster than its initial release.
What do you think? Should all Google powered tablets run Chrome OS or is there room for Android?
UPDATE: This was a Reuters UK report linked above, after watching the video I wanted to post the exact quote. During the Q&A session, Schmidt was asked about Chrome OS and this was his response.
“It’s targeted primarily at the netbook space today. Of course, because it’s free it will also be used for tablets. But I think it’s too early to say exactly how it will be played out. We’re looking forward to the partner announcements later this year.”
UPDATE 2: I’ve decided to change the title to attribute this information from Reuters because based on the video I saw that’s not what Schmidt said.
Notion Ink Adam Tablet Shows Off Its Specs
Posted on 03. Aug, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 2 Comments
We listed the Indian-designed Adam tablet by Notion Ink as an intriguing dark horse candidate in the future Chrome OS lineup, mainly because it was just different in terms of design and its unique Pixel Qi display. Now, Lilliputing has reported that the company’s website has been revamped; with it comes full-on specifications on this tablet, which is expected to be released later this year initially with Android.
Among some of the technical highlights, the Notion Ink will have a dual core ARM processor with NVIDIA graphics, either 16 or 32 GB of internal storage and wireless connectivity options that include 3G, WLAN and Bluetooth. Pixel Qi, which allows the backlight to be shut off to conserve battery as well as reduce glare, is optional. The tablet also has a 3.2 MP camera and all the standard ports that a PC has.
Here’s hoping that the Adam Ink enters the Chrome OS tablet race sooner rather than later, based on design alone.
$150 Tablet, $99 Netbook Arrive with Android – What’s Next?
Posted on 27. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Yesterday, Lilliputing reported that KMart was now carrying a $150 tablet loaded with Android. Today there’s another report that the retailer is also carrying a $99 netbook as well with the popular mobile operating system.
It’s hard to fathom what you would be able to do with such cheap devices, since they are not subsidized by a two year wireless plan the specifications for devices as these prices must be pretty bare compared with the ultra-powerful smartphones with Android 2.1 on the market today. Nevertheless, Engagdget reports that the $99 netbook came with a web browser, Gmail and Google Apps. Sounds like a nice little mobile device between a laptop and a smartphone.
Despite this, we’ll keep reporting about super cheap devices coming on the market, as this can only help the case for Chrome OS products, which are coming very soon. Although those devices are expected to be priced in the $300-$500 market.
Best Buy VP: Content Important to Putting Tablets on Shelves
Posted on 22. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
Best Buy’s Vice President of computing Jason Bonfig recently spoke with Laptop Magazine about what it’s going to take for him to put tablet that compete with the iPad in stores. Yes, things like form factor are important, but the real driving factor will be content for the device. Not just applications, but the ability to use a tablet as a portal for all sorts of things: music, movies and the web along with apps.
It’s true. We’ve seen some tablets come out running Android, and at Computex there were a ton of Windows tablets on display. But people don’t want another computer, one that doesn’t have a keyboard. They want a new experience, one that is different from possibly even the iPad. Although Bonfig didn’t talk about Chrome OS specifically (he name dropped MeeGo instead) the reality is that an interesting new device that takes advantage of the web’s potential is the future of tablet computing.
Bonfig doesn’t even see that great of a future for netbooks, either. The way he looks at it, netbooks all seem the same to him. They do all seem to have the same specifications, and if they aren’t using ARM or something like that, why bother? Netbooks are going to have to innovate to keep their place in the gadget world.
thechromesource Daily: Links for 7/20/10
Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 1 Comments
Enough with the Android tablets, TechGear’s Devin Coldewey wants in on the Chrome OS action as soon as possible.
Needlebase, a subsidiary of ITA Software which Google is purchasing has a unique web database system to organize information.
User policy management is being added to Google Apps in order to enhance control and security.
Want to change the location that Chrome downloads files to? Here is a guide on how to do that.
China is allowing Google to operate its search engine on the mainland, but what was really changed to allow this?
thechromesource Daily: Links for 5/12/10
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 0 Comments
iPad killer on its way? Google and Verizon are reportedly working on an Android tablet to battle Apple’s slate.
Signs are pointing to the fact that Google may be getting more involved in the gaming business over the next few years.
Does Google need to pull the plug on Chrome OS? At least one intrepid blogger seems to think so, complete with five reasons why.
Here is a guide to four features in Gmail that many people do not know exist.
The Google Moderator API has been released, allowing for more collaboration abilities in Wave as well as possible Android apps.
Why Put Android on a Tablet? Convenience
Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by Daniel Cawrey. 8 Comments
I’m a tad concerned here about the speculation that Google is going to release a tablet to compete with Apple that is loaded with Android. The understanding has been that Android would be the operating system for devices that have a maximum screen size of around five inches, but since the New York Times has put out a story saying Eric Schmidt is boasting that there is a Google tablet in the works running Android, there isn’t much I can say to refute that claim.
Android, much like the iPhone OS, already has a built-in applications store called Android Market. Having an inventory of applications ready-made for a tablet would be a great idea to compete with Apple, but something more compelling than that needs to be done to try to go up against the iPad. Perhaps maybe this device will be an innovative e-reader that is specifically for media – perhaps not as big as Apple’s tablet so that it is a bit easier to tote around.
This could also be an indication that Chrome OS is going to take longer than expected to reach a mature development cycle. Remember, Android was first announced back in 2007, and didn’t reach a stage where manufacturers started producing a slew of smartphones until late last year.
Also interesting to note is the fact that Google only supports the Android Market for smartphones right now, so any Google-branded tablet would get first dibs on a profit-rich application market for tablets. This information can be found from the “Available Devices” section of the Android Developers Guide.
It’s really anyone’s guess what may happen. Google wants to have a device out as soon as possible in order to fully compete with what will be a wide array of tablets that are expected to arrive in the very near future.
