ViewSonic gTablet with 10" Multi-Touch LCD Screen, Android OS 2.2
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Millions of words have been published on the net about the ubiquitous iPad and other tablet variant devices, most of them are either providing reviews or trying to sell you something but this article is not about to try and sell you anything or even suggest how "cool" mobile tablet devices are. Far from it.
For those of us who have an iPad or other such device or are considering one of the many new entrants o the competitive mobile tablet device space, you will probably love the idea and enjoy using it for browsing. However, after thousands of hours use, there is a growing band on dissent and frustration about the limitations of these devices.
ViewSonic Gtablet
For example, in their current state, you cannot possibly consider any of the iPad like devices as replacements to your computer. If you do any meaningful computing work where you use Excel spreadsheets, Notepad, Word or other data application then you absolutely must have either a track-pad with left and right buttons or a mouse. With the iPad there is no ability to "right click", nor can you switch between screens and applications - which is a major downfall as it means you last program has to close to open a new one. Something that hopefully the new iPad will address.
Furthermore, sure they have a neat on-screen keyboard but have you tried using it for any extended period? Forget it! Before long your "jabbing" finger will start to resemble an arthritic chicken leg and you will get a sore arm from keeping your hand aloft and moving it around like a demented mechanical robot arm at an auto factory.
Can some please tell me why no flash player with Apple? (ok - actually we all probably know the answer, I was being rhetorical) One of the biggest iPad problems and one which afflicts all devices based on the iOS platform is that there is a lack of support for possible the most important web applications:Adobe Flash. Without which there are thousands of websites that have content the iPad simply cannot see!. Apple should watch out as the new Viewsonic G-tablet supports native Flash.
My final point which (in my view) seals the fate of the current tablets to not be able to replace a laptop or PC is the inability to download so much of the free software available for so many things, for example: do you use a Google Toolbar? I do. Do you have free apps on your computer for things like weather alerts? Do you use industry tools that require software updates on your system?
So in summary, sure there are lots of now familiar iPad problems and some of these will still be present in the new competitors products. It would be impossible for many of us replace our computers with pads and even if the new pads had USB drives to connect to external things like printers or mice etc - really, how many of us would want to? Computers and laptops are part of our way of life and pads and mobile devices changing our computing habits, we are more likely to see them as simply for online communication, games and browsing. They pose the biggest threat to the mobile industry.
Why iPads and Tablet Devices Are No Real Replacement For a Computer
Nigel Frith writes for technology websites and also covers some of the less often spoken about issues with modern electronics. You are read more about some of the challengers in the tablet space here: http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/content/iPad-Problems-Could-These-Be-iPad-Killers.asp
Fitting both your on-the-go lifestyle and comfortably in your hand, the Android-powered Viewsonic G Tablet offer a slim go-anywhere design and intuitive touch navigation via its bright 10.1-inch display. With the Android 2.2 OS (dubbed "Froyo"), the G Tablet offers full support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 for accessing Flash-enabled websites, watching video and playing games. And thanks to built-in support for ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi, the G Tablet's portable screen is ideal for watching the latest movies and entertainment.
Weighing in at 1.5 pounds and just 0.5 inches thin, the G Tablet has a super slim and sleek design and feels very comfortable in your hands with its smooth beveled edges. The crisp and vibrant 10.1-inch capacitive touch screen display offers plenty of real estate for even the most demanding tablet users. It's great for multitasking, viewing multiple apps, browsing entire web pages, and sharing entertainment and photos.
With integrated Google technology, the G Tablet brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, Gtalk, YouTube, Picasa, and contacts/calendar synchronization. Gain access to thousands of leading Android apps via an Apps Store icon located on the home screen.
You'll enjoy 3D-like graphics, 1080p HD video, and speedy responsiveness from the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and 512 MB of DDR2 RAM. Typing messages or notes is simple and easy with the G Tablet's virtual QWERTY keyboard. It's outfitted with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat.
Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, 16 GB internal memory, microSD memory expansion (via optional cards up to 16 GB in size), HDMI video output (via optional dock), and up to 8-10 hours of on-the-go battery power.
Key Features
Fluid Navigation
Engineered with you in mind, the navigation is practically instinctive. You find the buttons exactly where you would have placed them, which will have you toggling. Searching, going back and moving forward all at lightning speed. On-display buttons include: Search, Home, Menu and back. Volume rocker is located on top.
Power and Speed
Experience the power of NVIDIA's latest processor. Designed for mobile applications, you will experience super fast gaming, crystal clear 1080p HD video, blazingly fast web access and surreal HD video chatting. Processing power at it's finest.
- 1 GHz Dual ARM Cortex-A9 processor
- 512MB DDR2 memory
- 2D/3D Graphics processing
- HD Video encode and decode
- Ultra-low power GeForce GPU
- 1080p video playback processor
- OpenGL ES 2.0
- 32-bit LP-DDR2, DDR2
Google Android OS 2.2
The G Tablet runs Google's latest and greatest OS 2.2. Android 2.2 offers a handful of new features and benefits such as faster web browsing, simple app launching and updating, and a completely more intuitive experience through Google's impressive services. Features include:
- Improvement in JavaScript loading
- Better overall performance of Android OS
- USB and Wi-Fi Internet Tethering
- Microsoft Exchange integration
- New and improved browser.
- Compass support for Google Maps
- Improved Google Voice Search, recognizes long and complicated sentences easily
Do More, See More... All at the Same Time
The G Tablet lets you work and play like you do. Read your email while catching up on sports scores and the latest gossip. Open multiple apps with the flick of a finger. Then casually pinch, scroll or zoom to your hearts content. It is so intuitive, you'll be able to do more and see more--all at the same time.
- Switch between apps and tasks instantly
- Listen to music while checking email
- Jump from reading your eBooks to keeping up with your favorite blogs
- Multi-touch capabilities: pinch to zoom, two-finger rotating, scrolling, etc.
- Download apps while updating your calendar
Multimedia Powerhouse
You get an awesome performance from practically any source with this tablet. Play music files or watch movies with ease. Or upload images from your camcorder and share entertainment with your friends on the go.
- 1080p playback (HD)
- Extensive format support includes: H.264, WMV, WMA, MP4, DivX and more
- Expandable memory: up to 32GB via micro SD
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Mini USB port
- USB port
- HDMI dock (optional)
Stay Connected Anywhere
Now you can contact anyone just the way they like. Use email, video chatting or tweet them on Twitter even update your status on Facebook. It all plays on this tablet. With Wi-Fi support and a long battery life, you won't have to miss a thing.
- Wi-Fi b/g/n support
- Video conferencing via 1.3MP camera
- 8-10 hours battery life
- Bluetooth support
You Move, It Moves
Applications and games come alive in your hand with the G sensor. Your gaming imagination never has been this real or this wild. An ambient light sensor also automatically reduces brightness in dim lit settings to conserve power. It follows your every move. It feels what you feel.
Specifications
- 10.1-inch TFT-LCD with LED driver system and 1024 x 600-pixel resolution
- 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor (dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU)
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n
- 16 GB internal memory
- microSD slot for expansion using optional cards up to 16 GB
- 1.3-megapixel camera
- Music playback: AAC, AMR, WMA, and MP3
- Video playback: S1080p H.264/H.263/ VC-1/MPEG-2/4/WMV9/DiVX 4/5
- Video encoding: 1080p H.264/MPEG-4 Video
- Connectivity: USB (slave), mini USB (host) microSD slot, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
- Battery: 3650mAh Li-ion polymer battery for up to 8-10 hours of battery life
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.8 x 0.54 inches
- Weight: 1.55 pounds
What's in the Box
G Tablet, USB cable, power adapter, cleaning cloth, ESD cover, user guide, quick start guide
List Price : $499.99
Availibility : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Technical Details
- Google Android OS 2.2, 1 GHz Dual ARM Cortex-A9 processor
- 16GB internal memory (expandable up to 32GB via SD Card), 512MB DDR2 memory
- 10.1-inch TFT-LCD with LED driver system and 1024 x 600-pixel resolution
- Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g/n, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera
- USB 2.0 (Slave), Mini USB 2.0 (Host), 3.5mm stereo headphone, Dock for HDMI/Headphone/USB (optional)