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5" Android Tablet $155

enso-now.com

71–80 of 87 posts

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#71
post #41
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the specs, it's not multitouch (a significant feature). From the video, it was stuttering on just scrolling the application lists. It may be a competitor to the iPad / iPod Touch, but it's not a serious competitor. Apple still has the "premium" edge on it, their market doesn't seem likely to be overly affected. An Android tablet definitely appeals to me more than an iPad, for software purposes, but I'm not one o…

More than not multitouch, it's a resistive (rather than capacitive) touch screen, so you can only reliably use it with a stylus (which is included.) Which is a bit of a downer, cos I was thinking of getting one to mount one in my car. Also, AFAIK, there isn't any good free handwriting recognition on Android yet, so you may be stuck tapping an on-screen keyboard with a stylus.

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Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#72
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.

Yes, and if there's a better recipe for success in consumer electronics, I can't begin to imagine what it might be.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#73
post #40

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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.

it'd be cool if you could keep the keyboard physically attached, maybe with a hinge mechanism of sorts.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Yes, and if there's a better recipe for success in consumer electronics, I can't begin to imagine what it might be.

One reason why Android is beginning to scare Apple is because the cell-phone carriers that aren't AT&T are marketing their Android-based phones against the iPhone with the good-old feature checklist. The iPhone gets one check "can receive phone calls", while the Android phone gets checks for things like "can play Pandora streams while you browse the web" or whatever.

People paying money for things like features.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#75
post #66

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Its very entertaining that 'enso' hasn't thought to visit your profile to answer his questions about who you are.

Agreed, my identity is not exactly a secret. I haven't heard from his lawyers yet though, maybe it's still in the mail somewhere. It's sad though, I think he may have something there but he's going about it completely wrong. He wouldn't even have to rebrand the thing, just sell it as it is, save a bunch of $. After all it's not like smit is going to give him an exclusive deal. And I'm still not sure what the status i…

FCC approval is actually quite easy and affordable (less than 10k), as long as your equipment passes first time.

The best way out is to buy a dongle or module from a 3rd party who has already got approval for it. If the RF module has approval then you don't have an issue. You still need a different kind of approval for your electronic device, but they are just reselling a 3rd party device so no issue there either.

I haven't made a mobile phone - instead I have worked on other RF devices. Perhaps there are issues I am not aware of (a public mobile network probably has a lot of checks and balances that are much more expensive)

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#77
God I'm sick of all these tablets that don't provide proper reading/writing functionality. MEMS/Mirasol, Pixel Qi or the original OLPC screen. C'mon.

I feel the closest thing at the moment is NotionInk's Adam... throw in a proper Wacom stylus system and I'd buy two...

It really feels like most of the companies don't have a goal, just throwing random stuff at the wall and hoping something will stick... and to be all "me too".

Maybe I should just design my own proper UI for these things and pull a Microsoft :|

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#78
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it wanted to sell most products it would not only lower it's prices significantly it would also produce much more products. Challenging competitors is among some of the things companies do. That doesn't mean they fear them.

Decreasing your price will usually increase quantities sold but often does not increase your profit.

Which is exactly why Apple don't need to go there.

Re: 5" Android Tablet $155

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

It is not 9, but 7,5. And it is not in the bank, it is cash & equivalent (if they have it in the bank, the shareholders should be unhappy - the company does not know what to do with the money).

They have also 26b in retained earnings. Do their shareholders get enough return on capital gain? (to answer myself: if you bought it 1 year ago, then yes; 2 years ago - no).

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