Tablet Tuesday: Lenovo, Fujitsu, Archos unveil touchscreens

[AppleInsider]

As rumors of Apple's still-unannounced tablet device continue to swirl, the impending launch of Windows 7 has led to a plethora of touchscreen devices that look to beat Apple's anticipated device to market.

In addition to Windows-based systems from Lenovo and Fujitsu, one Android-based Internet tablet from Archos was unveiled Tuesday. Combined with a fresh Apple tablet rumor that priced the anticipated device at $800 to $1,000, it was a noteworthy day for those interested in touchscreen computing.

But with all the buzz surrounding them, tablet computers have yet to take off. With this week's announcements, it seems that hardware makers hope that Windows 7 and Android can help change that this fall -- at least before Apple steps into the game in early 2010, as is expected.

Lenovo brings four-finger input

Lenovo announced two products Tuesday: the new T400s, a touchscreen device with four-finger multitouch, and an update to the existing X200, a tablet that now has an outdoor screen optimized option.

The T400s, starting at $1,999, sports an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB of cache, at speed of 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz. While not a convertible tablet, the device's 6-cell battery reportedly provides 5.5 hours of run time.

The four-finger touch, according to PC World, enables users to manipulate objects with even greater precision. An example of working with images in engineering and design applications was used.

The new X200 will also support multi-touch, but only for two fingers. It starts at $1,654. Both systems gain multitouch functionality for an additional $250.

Both computers feature SimpleTap, a proprietary user interface that Lenovo has created to allow finger-friendly capabilities within Windows 7. Buttons will appear to allow users to change screen brightness or speaker volume, and visit Web sites.



Fujitsu tablet is finger and pen friendly

The newly announced Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 is an upgrade as well, one that according to PC Magazine will cost users $100 extra for multitouch capabilities. The single-touch model starts at $1,759.

It features a 13.3-inch screen, and supports gesture controls for rotating, zooming, and flicking. It also supports stylus input. The system will initially ship with Windows Vista.



Archos looks to Android for its Internet Tablet

On the smaller side, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet is more of a competitor to the iPod touch and iPhone than the latest Fujitsu and Lenovo keyboard-toting laptops. Revealed Tuesday, the device has a 4.8-inch 800x480 pixel screen that can play HD video in both WMV and H.264 formats.

The big selling point is the system's operating system, relying on a variant of Google's Android to power the portable media player.

According to Engadget, the device also can be docked and paired with a any bluetooth keyboard and mouse, allowing the user to surf the Web on their TV. The hardware is now available, with prices ranging from $250 to $440.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[aplnub]

Based on those photo's, Apple products looks like something from the 23rd century. I'll pass and wait for Apple to make a move...

[solipsism]

If anyone finds an extensive review of the Archos 5 would you please post the link here?

[randythot]

if Apple nails the tablet, and Apple TV ever opens up, I wonder what's next? Reinvent laptops & desktops? They've been moving slowly up the food chain for pioneering or revolutionizing hardware.

[Gazoobee]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

As rumors of Apple's still-unannounced tablet device continue to swirl, the impending launch of Windows 7 has led to a plethora of touchscreen devices that look to beat Apple's anticipated device to market....

Tablet Tuesday?

That's a really misleading headline considering out of the three devices pictures only one is actually a tablet. The other two are those things known as "laptops." You may have heard of them.

[christopher126]

Originally Posted by Gazoobee

Tablet Tuesday?

That's a really misleading headline considering out of the three devices pictures only one is actually a tablet. The other two are those things known as "laptops." You may have heard of them.

[jeffharris]

I'd love to see an iPod touch with a screen the size (or 6") and similar resolution of the Archos.

[mrstep]

Originally Posted by Gazoobee

Tablet Tuesday?

That's a really misleading headline considering out of the three devices pictures only one is actually a tablet. The other two are those things known as "laptops." You may have heard of them.

Laptops!? You mean Netbooks! Aren't those up to 17" screens and about 8 lbs by now?

Same thought though - how can anyone call those beasts 'tablets'? I mean, anyone outside of Lenovo/Fujitsu marketing anyway.

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by mrstep

Laptops!? You mean Netbooks! Aren't those up to 17" screens and about 8 lbs by now?

Same thought though - how can anyone call those beasts 'tablets'? I mean, anyone outside of Lenovo/Fujitsu marketing anyway.

Those are the kind of tablets that only a geezer like Moses could love. Except these plastic slabs look to be a lot less useful.

[randythot]

Originally Posted by mrstep

Laptops!? You mean Netbooks! Aren't those up to 17" screens and about 8 lbs by now?

Same thought though - how can anyone call those beasts 'tablets'? I mean, anyone outside of Lenovo/Fujitsu marketing anyway.

Originally Posted by jeffharris

Those are the kind of tablets that only a geezer like Moses could love. Except these plastic slabs look to be a lot less useful.

I think you're all onto something...I can picture Steve putting up pics at a keynote of those 1st gen "tablets," to the sound of a laughing audience. Perhaps in a pic next to a rubik's cube?

[urbansprawl]

For me, thinkpad has always looked attractive.

That Fujitsu thing looks bulky and cheap.

The Archos...look at those icons?!?!?
Interesting Article on Apple and rounded corners:
http://www.uiandus.com/2009/07/27/th...ed-rectangles/

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by jeffharris

I'd love to see an iPod touch with a screen the size (or 6") and similar resolution of the Archos.

Then you'll probably enjoy the fact that a phone is being introduced by Archos that is the follow up to the tablet.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/a...chscreen-1ghz/

Which will ship the the with latest Android Donut that takes care of support for GSM & CDMA networks and also takes care of different screen resolution & device screen sizes.

Android Donut 1.6 SDK shipped today.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/a...rly-as-october

I keep saying to all the Apple FanBoys that hate Microsoft they are not your competitor. Google continues gain market share touching every part of Apple's product line.

The link also has a link within for the Anroid Tablet.

We'll probably see an Anroid Home Media Center before the next AppleTV update.

Edit. By the way... Google shipped Chrome 3.0 today with some mighty high goals.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...ource=rss_news

[retroneo]

The article should mention the Archos has 500GB of storage...

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by retroneo

The article should mention the Archos has 500GB of storage...

The article link I posted does.

[retroneo]

Originally Posted by NonVendorFan

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/a...rly-as-october

Wow.. Very nice improvements in Android 1.6 - a minor release. (Universal search on device and internet, universal translator with speech synthesis, highly accurate cloud-based speech recognition for search on device and internet and issuing command to apps with API - all from single universal console)

Looks like Android could do with the speed of the Cortex A8. The demo in that video is on a ARM11 device and it was a little laggy.

Apple doesn't have the ability to compete with all these things in the short term as they are services based on Google's years of statistical analysis and data collection. Yet they have banned Google from bringing two of their Apps to the iPhone. What if Google no longer continues to develop their bundled Youtube and Maps applications anymore?

I'd like to see Google as the premier platform for Google's services - which Google was happy to provide. Apple's strong message to Google that there Apps are no longer welcome on the platform isn't a smart decision in the absence of alternatives.

Android 2.0 "Eclair" is due to be released in Jan/Feb - it's meant to be a big update.

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by retroneo

Wow.. Very nice improvements in Android 1.6. (Universal search on device and internet, universal translator with speech synthesis, universal speech recognition)

Looks like Android could do with the speed of the Cortex A8. The demo in that video is on a ARM11 device and it was a little laggy.

Apple doesn't have the ability to compete with all these things in the short term as they are services based on Google's years of statistical analysis and data collection. Yet they have banned Google from bringing two of their Apps to the iPhone. What if Google no longer continues to develop their bundled Youtube and Maps applications anymore?

I'd like to see Google as the premier platform for Google's services - which Google was happy to provide. Apple's strong message to Google that there Apps are no longer welcome on the platform isn't a smart decision in the absence of alternatives.

Android 2.0 "Eclair" is due to be released in Jan/Feb - it's meant to be a big update.

But the advantage goes to Google because "like Microsoft on the desktop" they are on being pumped out on every vendors list of what is the new Hardware can we put Android on today that will push it even further.

And yes, I'm waiting to see if 2.0 is going to be the huge upgrade that it's been rumored.

It would be be interesting to see if Google pulls their Apps from Apple in the same manor Apple is trying to block the Pre at every point. I'm guessing Google will keep Apple in the party until they aren't needed anymore (a lot like Microsoft did on the desktop in the early 90's).

[umijin]

Did you guys suddenly change your name to Engadget?

This really isn't Apple news, certainly not Apple Insider worthy.

Just the Apple Facts, Ma'am!

[nagromme]

I don't think we're there yet... but the Archos looks like a pretty cool step along the way!

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by nagromme

I don't think we're there yet... but the Archos looks like a pretty cool step along the way!

I'd agree if my next phone was going to be an iPhone. I am out of my contract in 8 months and will be glad to be out of Apple's Grip and Little Box.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NonVendorFan

But the advantage goes to Google because "like Microsoft on the desktop" they are on being pumped out on every vendors list of what is the new Hardware can we put Android on today that will push it even further.

And yes, I'm waiting to see if 2.0 is going to be a huge update & it would be interesting to see if Google pulls their Apps from Apple in the same manor Apple is trying to block the Pre at every point. I'm guessing Google will keep Apple in the party until they aren't needed anymore (a lot like Microsoft did on the desktop in the early 90's).

As it has been pointed out to you, open source does not make for a guaranteed winner because it can potentially go on any HW. Marketshare means nothing in business without profits to back it up.

Why exactly would Google pull their apps? Are they also going to make their web apps not work with Mac browsers? Even you have to realize that it’s very foolish thing to say, but perhaps not when you think that the Pre violating their USB contracts to trick iTunes is somehow relevant to anything that is being discussed and when you ignore that Apple has not actually changed WebKit so that WebOS becomes dead in the water or litigates for pouching employees to create tech that seems to be right off Apple’s shelf.

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by solipsism

As it has been pointed out to you, open source does not make for a guaranteed winner because it can potentially go on any HW. Marketshare means nothing in business without profits to back it up.

Why exactly would Google pull their apps? Are they also going to make their web apps not work with Mac browsers? Even you have to realize that it’s very foolish thing to say, but perhaps not when you think that the Pre violating their USB contracts to trick iTunes is somehow relevant to anything that is being discussed and when you ignore that Apple has not actually changed WebKit so that WebOS becomes dead in the water or litigates for pouching employees to create tech that seems to be right off Apple’s shelf.

Market Share for Android means less for Apple. Like the early 90's and countless hardware vendors wanting Microsoft on the desktop you're seeing it all over with Android.

Google doesn't license all of their OS's for Free. It's based on the carrier and what functions of Android they want to use. Free for some but most pay royalties on every device sold (sound familiar?). Do your own research next time.

Why would Google pull their Apps from Apple? Why would Apple reject Google's Apps that were free? Go figure. It is business after all.

[MacTel]

Good luck to them all. Their products look pretty bulky and not very innovative. The Archos looks pretty pain. I don't know why anyone would buy an Archos. I'd buy a Zune HD long before an Archos.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NonVendorFan

Market Share for Android means less for Apple. Like the early 90's and countless hardware vendors wanting Microsoft on the desktop you're seeing it all over with Android.

Google doesn't license all of their OS's for Free. It's based on the carrier and what functions of Android they want to use. Free for some but most pay royalties on every device sold (sound familiar?). Do your own research next time.

Why would Google pull their Apps from Apple? Why would Apple reject Google's Apps that were free? Go figure. It is business after all.

It would be great if you read the post you were commenting on. Asking me the same question I asked you is a bit mental. You’re the one that "It would be be interesting to see if Google pulls their Apps from Apple in the same manor Apple is trying to block the Pre at every point.”

First of all, Apple has pulled no apps that Palm has created so the comment of “in the same manor” makes no sense.

Secondly, the problem with the Pre is that they aren’t making an app, but pretending to be an iPod violating the USB-IF by incorrectly stating the device manufacture. It’s not illegal, but it’s a cheap thing to do to customers paying $400 for a phone that then have to pay $70/month for 2 years. If Palm had simply made an app like RiM did that ties into the iTunes Library then this wouldn’t be an issue, though i’m sure you’d make something else up to bitch about.

Third, From what I’ve read Google’s voice app has not been rejected as of August 21st.

Fourth, Marketshare is really only important if profits are increasing with them. So far, Linux has not interfered with Apple’s business and in fact they have assisted each other in many ways over the years.

Last, why don’t “school” us all on how it benefits Google’s bottom line to remove all its apps from Macs, which i’m sure must include any web apps that Google has made. How exactly would that even do that? Would they have to stop using the WebKit browser engine that Apple funds?

[NonVendorFan]

Originally Posted by solipsism

It would be great if you read the post you were commenting on. Asking me the same question I asked you is a bit mental. You’re the one that "It would be be interesting to see if Google pulls their Apps from Apple in the same manor Apple is trying to block the Pre at every point.”

First of all, Apple has pulled no apps that Palm has created so the comment of “in the same manor” makes no sense.

Secondly, the problem with the Pre is that they aren’t making an app, but pretending to be an iPod violating the USB-IF by incorrectly stating the device manufacture. It’s not illegal, but it’s a cheap thing to do to customers paying $400 for a phone that then have to pay $70/month for 2 years. If Palm had simply made an app like RiM did that ties into the iTunes Library then this wouldn’t be an issue, though i’m sure you’d make something else up to bitch about.

Third, From what I’ve read Google’s voice app has not been rejected as of August 21st.

Fourth, Marketshare is really only important if profits are increasing with them. So far, Linux has not interfered with Apple’s business and in fact they have assisted each other in many ways over the years.

Last, why don’t “school” us all on how it benefits Google’s bottom line to remove all its apps from Macs, which i’m sure must include any web apps that Google has made. How exactly would that even do that? Would they have to stop using the WebKit browser engine that Apple funds?

4th.
You can't engage a conversation with a closed mind. No need to comment.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by NonVendorFan

4th.
You can't engage a conversation with a closed mind. No need to comment.

5th.
You're obviously an idiot as that is the "cheapest" comment you could possibly make to someone challenging your point of view.

[success]

I think they look pretty good. I also noticed that they accept any stylus while the iPhone/iPodTouch can only use metal based styli for conductivity. Is this correct?

Anyway this is good competition. Apple needs to step up. I think we have enough iPods by now.

[mdriftmeyer]

Java's reach to the desktop will never blossom and it's reach in the Enterprise has peaked.

[frugality]

Originally Posted by success

Anyway this is good competition. Apple needs to step up. I think we have enough iPods by now.

+1

When the latest 'big news' is silly video cameras in the ipod nano, you know Apple is really struggling to find some way to refresh the lineup. Ipods are still great for what they are, but they are pretty washed up as far as being the next big whiz-bang thing. I'm looking forward to what they do in the netbook realm now.

[camroidv27]

Originally Posted by umijin

Did you guys suddenly change your name to Engadget?

This really isn't Apple news, certainly not Apple Insider worthy.

Just the Apple Facts, Ma'am!

I second this motion. All the non-Apple news is causing too much hatred around here. I come here to see what Apple is up to, not IBM or Toshiba or Microsoft. They have their own sites.

But Appleinsider has seemed to like to bash the Apple competition recently... if that counts as "Apple" news. Ugh.

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by NonVendorFan

4th.
You can't engage a conversation with a closed mind. No need to comment.

when you use the word 'apple fanboys' in your first post in a thread, you clearly don't earn any credibility around here. to insult a user with a long history of contributing here doesn't help.

you also don't seem to know where google makes its money: it's from the ads they display on their search results. for example from the default 'google search' in safari. it is a business after all, as you pointed out. it would be foolish for google and apple to get into a pissing contest.

as far as google and apple being in competition - i'd say: not yet. it's the winmo manufacturing crowd that seems to be jumping ship to android the fastest.

no go troll precentral...

[slapppy]

"Windows 7 has led to a plethora of touchscreen devices that look"

..like a POS with Windows 7 to boot. Let them bring out the crap, so that the Apple version will really show them how its done.

[irnchriz]

Do any of these devices have a capacitive touch display?

Resistive is fine for use with a stylus but rubbish for use with finger touch alone.


Also, Microsoft have had their chance at a tablet os with windows xp tablet edition and manufacturers spawned the same shit machines then as lenovo have this week. At least some of the tablets back then were a bit slimmer and looked better when the screen was rotated and locked in tablet mode.

[zunx]

Too HEAVY and too LARGE.

What is needed is a LIGHT and SMALL MacBook: about 400-500 g or less and as small as possible (pocketable would be great), with video-out and USB. For Keynote and PowerPoint presentations. Because even the MacBook Air is too heavy, too large and too port limited.

[johndoe98]

Originally Posted by irnchriz

Do any of these devices have a capacitive touch display?

Resistive is fine for use with a stylus but rubbish for use with finger touch alone.

And capacitive touch is fine for general use but unless the Apple Tablet will have an active digitizer, hopefully a wacom built in, it'll be a big disappointment.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by johndoe98

And capacitive touch is fine for general use but unless the Apple Tablet will have an active digitizer, hopefully a wacom built in, it'll be a big disappointment.

I haven’t heard of Apple ever licensing Wacom’s electromagnetic resonance technology but you never know. It is nice that the tablet powers the pen, but I wonder if that also comes with a power tradeoff where a rechargeable pen with small battery that would last a very long time between charges would be a better overall tradeoff. After all, it’s not like creating a capacitive resistence to mimic a finger requires much power. I’m sure Apple would test to see which fits their needs best.

That said, I have doubts that any tablet Apple would release would focus on even having a stylus. That is not to say that a stylus wouldn’t come in handy with many distinct apps, but Apple may just sell it as an accessory or let 3rd-parties take of it as they already do for those that want a stylus for their iPhone or Touch. This would be especially true if this theoretical tablet is to focus more on the consumer market, not on specific professional occupations where these tablet devices tend to get used.

[johndoe98]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I haven’t heard of Apple ever licensing Wacom’s electromagnetic resonance technology but you never know. It is nice that the tablet powers the pen, but I wonder if that also comes with a power tradeoff where a rechargeable pen with small battery that would last a very long time between charges would be a better overall tradeoff. After all, it’s not like creating a capacitive resistence to mimic a phalange requires much power. I’m sure Apple would test to see which fits their needs best.

That said, I have doubts that any tablet Apple would release would focus on even having a stylus. That is not to say that a stylus wouldn’t come in handy with many distance apps, but Apple may just sell it as an accessory or let 3rd-parties take of it as they already do for those that want a stylus for their iPhone or Touch. Especially if this theoretical tablet is to focus more on the consumer market, not on specific professional occupations where these tablet devices tend to get used.

Agreed, but marketing the tablet for professionals, and especially students (a significant portion of the consumer base), would innovate the market and proliferate the use. For example, imagine for starters how great it would be to be able to do the following on a computer or tablet: sketch, takes notes in class, add handwritten diagrams to your word documents and read and take notes in the margins of PDFs and eBooks, while underlining specific passages, not to mention finally being able to write musical scores, etc...

[Dick Applebaum]

Originally Posted by johndoe98

Agreed, but marketing the tablet for professionals, and especially students (a significant portion of the consumer base), would innovate the market and proliferate the use. For example, imagine for starters how great it would be to be able to do the following on a computer or tablet: sketch, takes notes in class, add handwritten diagrams to your word documents and read and take notes in the margins of PDFs and eBooks, while underlining specific passages, not to mention finally being able to write musical scores, etc...

I've done some experimenting with home-made styli on the iPhone.

Things work pretty well "as is", even though the iPhone wasn't designed for stylus input.

You can do a decent job of handwriting, hand printing and drawing on the iPhone.

Because of the way the iPhone is currently setup, the stylus needs to present a flat touch with about a 30-pixel radius. So the stylus needs a flat-tipped nib of about 1/4 inch diameter. This must be touched straight down, or the barrel above the nib must be flexible, so the entire nib surface touches the display when the stylus is used at a normal angle (like a pen or pencil).


If Apple were interested in supporting a stylus there are some [seemingly minor] things they could do:

1) have a system-wide stylus mode-- say a 4-finger tap to activate or deactivate. This way you could draw on anything.

2) In stylus mode recognize a smaller radius (than the current 30-pixel) as valid input. Currently, anything smaller is rejected as noise. This would allow a much smaller nib.

3) allow any document file to have an associated "annotation" file or layer.

4) recognize a BlueTooth interface to a stylus that detects pressure, so that line thickness can be varied (by the software)

5) incorporate artifacts, shapes, smoothing, etc.

I believe that it would be great to use a stylus as an option for input on a Apple Tablet.

Below are some examples using a stylus with the Sketches app (the first iPhone app I bought).

The hardest part is touching straight down on the small surface.


... now, what did I do with that darn stylus ...

[johndoe98]

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

If Apple were interested in supporting a stylus there are some [seemingly minor] things they could do:

1) have a system-wide stylus mode-- say a 4-finger tap to activate or deactivate. This way you could draw on anything.

2) In stylus mode recognize a smaller radius (than the current 30-pixel) as valid input. Currently, anything smaller is rejected as noise. This would allow a much smaller nib.

3) allow any document file to have an associated "annotation" file or layer.

4) recognize a BlueTooth interface to a stylus that detects pressure, so that line thickness can be varied (by the software)

5) incorporate artifacts, shapes, smoothing, etc.

I believe that it would be great to use a stylus as an option for input on a Apple Tablet.

Those are very nice suggestions, especially the added layer in documents, which makes it ez to amend current apps. But I'd be worried that the touchscreen will never be good enough, even if the radius were made smaller (that wouldn't exactly give pressure sensitivity). What would really be nice then is to have an upgrade option for those willing to pay the premium to get a dual capacity screen that has both touchscreen interface for everyday tasks, and an active digitizer like Wacom's for more refined usage, that, as you say, would be activated by some kind of gesture.

[Quadra 610]

Current "tablet" offerings are just pathetic.

Apple will shake this segment up completely.

Lenovo, HP, Fujitsu. LOL.

[steviet02]

Originally Posted by success

I think they look pretty good. I also noticed that they accept any stylus while the iPhone/iPodTouch can only use metal based styli for conductivity. Is this correct?

Anyway this is good competition. Apple needs to step up. I think we have enough iPods by now.

Actually, I disagree. This isn't good competition and there is nothing there for apple to step up to. If it's a bad business model it's bad business, there is no need for a company to get into something that the market isn't clamoring for. Excluding the 'techies' of the world, who is actually buying tablets and the like in mass?