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5" Android Tablet $155

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Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#51

Post by swernli »

bad_user wrote: post #48
ptomato wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"same quality" would be the key word there. Google has yet to show that they can deliver anywhere near the quality of the iPhone OS as far as user experience is concerned.

Yeah, but Google is not know for poor quality of its software. And as far as hardware quality goes ... there are mobile manufacturers that can deliver it (HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Nokia). Surely Apple has control of the full stack, but it's not like history isn't repeating itself :-)

Google isn't known for any quality of it's software. Google is known for their search engine. Yes, people on this site might tout the glories of Chrome, but to the average user, all they see is a search engine and email when they are on the web, and a slew of mobile devices that still aren't as clean and polished as the iPhone.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#52

Post by tcdent »

bad_user wrote: post #50
ThomPete wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What on earth are you talking about? Apple nearly went bankrupt until Steve Jobs came on board again. Yes Steve Jobs will eventually quit and yes that might be a challenge that might even lead to their demise. But Steve Jobs will be leaving something very valuable behind. A rock solid digital ecosystem that is only starting to show it's strength.

This is getting ridiculous. Apple was quite successful in the late eighties / early nineties, when Jobs wasn't even on board. Notable product from that time is the Macintosh portable (a friend got a hold of one, and it's pretty sweet :)). Later, their strategy on licensing Mac OS to third parties was actually profitable, but it wasn't enough (too little, too late). I know you love Steve, he was a part of the rebirth.…

Really, you consider the Portable a successful product? While it's a cute bit of nostalgia, the PowerBook 100 is a far better example of innovation in that time period.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#53

Post by zmonkeyz »

bad_user wrote: post #39
mortenjorck wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think a free operating system in the mainstream is going to make it any harder for Apple to keep their premium market. Yes, it allows manufacturers to cut their prices even lower, but, just like in the PC market, Apple isn't competing at the volume end. It won't be hard for other manufacturers to enter the tablet space. Competing with the iPad's integration, build quality, and usability, though, will be.

Oh yes it will. Apple nearly went bankrupted, mostly because even if the hardware was good, their Mac OS was a piece of shit that started paling in comparison to Windows NT, OS/2 or even newcomers like BeOS, while Win 95 gave you approximately the same value but with increased compatibility with older / current apps. They can't keep their premium market if you can get the same quality for a lower price and a lot more…

Who goes bankrupt with 9 bil in the bank?

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#54

Post by ugh »

andreyf wrote: post #12

And this is why Steve Jobs sees Android as a direct attack against Apple: these devices (which Apple would like to sell at a high margin) can be made really cheap in a world of commoditized hardware (thanks, Microsoft!) and free software (thanks, Google!). Edit-reply: while Apple can try to split off a premium market as it did with PC's, this is going to be a lot harder (and the premium market will be lot smaller) wh…

I’m very happy about that: Cheaper and better iPads for everyone.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#55

Post by adelevie »

light3 wrote: post #40
jacquesm wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a 7" screen sized one as well: http://hott.net.cn/EN/Channels/Products/showDetail.asp?objID... video of the device: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXmWFn2m4Rk (bad video, but it still gives a good idea of what it can do) That's $92 without flash, import duty and so on, so the price will go up considerably by the time you have one in your hands.

So how well can you type on these things, is it possible to do some coding?

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2155544/ipad-as-programmi...

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#56

Post by callmeed »

The iPhone's screen is 3.5" ... where exactly do we draw the line between "phone" and "tablet"?

Sorry, but I'd almost put this in "no man's land" ... too big for a phone in my pocket, too small to be useful as anything else.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#57

Post by aristus »

jacquesm wrote: post #23
jws wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anyone find the original device? This one is close, http://szboeye.en.alibaba.com/product/255890895-209487612/5_...

http://www.smit.com.cn/English/proDetail.asp?InfoId=126&...

I've been impressed with the Smit and excited someone's selling them, rebranded or no. I'll probably give this guy a shot when my birthday rolls around and report back.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#58

Post by jrockway »

jacquesm wrote: post #43
light3 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how well can you type on these things, is it possible to do some coding?

I figure for a small email, you could probably use the screen. Anything beyond that and you'll have to find a way to graft on a keyboard. Usb or bluetooth ? For real coding I'd do it with a cross development kit, which is how most phone software development is done.

Android supports bluetooth keyboards and mice. I've tried it with my Archos 5 device... it's quite usable for web browsing.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#59

Post by jrockway »

swernli wrote: post #51
bad_user wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, but Google is not know for poor quality of its software. And as far as hardware quality goes ... there are mobile manufacturers that can deliver it (HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Nokia). Surely Apple has control of the full stack, but it's not like history isn't repeating itself :-)

Google isn't known for any quality of it's software. Google is known for their search engine. Yes, people on this site might tout the glories of Chrome, but to the average user, all they see is a search engine and email when they are on the web, and a slew of mobile devices that still aren't as clean and polished as the iPhone.

Anybody can polish a device that has intentionally-limited functionality.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#60

Post by swernli »

jrockway wrote: post #59
swernli wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google isn't known for any quality of it's software. Google is known for their search engine. Yes, people on this site might tout the glories of Chrome, but to the average user, all they see is a search engine and email when they are on the web, and a slew of mobile devices that still aren't as clean and polished as the iPhone.

Anybody can polish a device that has intentionally-limited functionality.

Very true. And yet we still have so many feature rich yet experience poor devices, programs, and services out there. It's almost as if most people don't get the idea of quality over quantity...
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