Earlier this month, rumors of the demise of Michael Arrington’s Crunchpad may have been exaggerated or fabricated. However, those prescient vaporware tales have come to pass — and it seems the $200 $300 $400 web tablet is dead. At the very least, it may launch without Arrington and/or the CrunchPad moniker in what amounts to dueling partnered companies with perhaps divergent goals. As I’ve blogged, I had concerns that this project would be done in due to naiveté in the consumer electronics space, versus Arrington’s Web 2.0 expertise and insight, but not in this particular manner. Arrington expresses his disappointment:
Mostly though I’m just sad. I just wanted a tablet computer that I could use to consume the Internet while sitting on a couch. And I’ve also lost a friend – [Fusion Garage CEO] Chandra spent months in our office this year and, until a week and a half ago, was the kind of young, determined entrepreneur that I admire. I thought we’d be friends for the rest of our lives.
Whether or not Arrington’s in the game, couch-based computing products will indeed infiltrate our homes via netbooks, Kindle-esque devices, and maybe even an Apple tablet. Not to mention, Google’s minimalist, Linux-based Chrome OS seems perfectly suited and designed for this purpose. And smartphones, which meet a similar need, cannot be overlooked. While vacationing in Germany, I had a chance to examine Arne Hess’s HTC HD2. The massive 4.3″ 800×480 (WXGA) capacitive touchscreen in such a sleek, slim enclosure would make for a nice coffee table web browsing tablet. (Although, I’d like to see that aging Windows Mobile OS replaced by Android.)
“…I’d like to see that aging Windows Mobile OS replaced by Android.”
Contractual obligation with Microsoft isn’t going to let that happen…
[HTC’s] most impressive phone to date is not an Android phone, however, as the HD2 with the Snapdragon processor runs Windows Mobile 6.5. Rumors have swelled that HTC would be producing a version of the HD2 with Android, but HTC CEO Peter Chou put those rumors to bed in an interview with Forbes. “Technically, we could make the HD2 an Android phone, but I have to take care of Windows Mobile,” says Chou. So no Android for the HD2.
http://jkontherun.com/2009/10/29/htc-ceo-no-android-hd2-for-you/
…When Mr. CHou says “I have to take care of Windows Mobile” that’s polite corporate speak for “contractually obligated”.
But that doesn’t mean a HTC “HD3” running Android won’t magically appear about a year from now.
Also,
That big 4.3″ 800×480 WXGA screen will be on other phones running Android, from manufactures other than HTC ( like the Dell Streak and the Acer A1! ).
For a fast, sleek, big-screen Android device, check out the Archos 5 internet tablet. Half the price of an HD2 but just as fast. I’ve had one for a while and it’s convinced me that there’s a market for home internet gadgets.
Chippy, Carrypad.com
You know, some of us actually like Windows Mobile…
…although, sometimes I forget why, exactly.
Chippy, I heard it was buggy as all get out. Hm…
RandonRage, for years I used Windows CE, PocketPC, and Windows Mobile. Other than PocketIE, I was a mostly satisfied customer. Whereas they used to lead in the mobile OS space, they’re now lagging the competition. Perhaps WinMo 7 will reinvigorate their platform next year.
Not going near any Archos products. Everybody says their support is awful and they abandon products quickly. Sorry, no.
Don’t think I’ll be picking up a JooJoo either. With a custom OS from a vendor that could be sued out of existence or just running out of money any minute now, I don’t see myself making this bet. There’s no way the product will be exactly right when it ships, and will need constant attention and tweaks over the next year or two. Any vendor who isn’t sufficiently committed won’t get my money.
I’m thinking the killer feature in this category is web streaming, if somebody can figure out how to get the image from your tablet to your TV. Then I can just navigate Hulu until I get to the full screen part and then put the tablet down for a bit. Somebody figure out what the Eee Keyboard is using and put it in a dongle…