So after watching the keynote address from Steve Jobs yesterday regarding the iPad…I’m feeling a little bit on the fence.  Sure, I understand their naming convention (iPod, iPad)…but seriously iPad? I dunno it’s just a bad name.  Sorry Steve.  And yes, I am drawing conclusions on a product I haven’t even seen, touched or used yet.  But it doesn’t multitask, there’s no flash and as far as a music device: my iPod touch is just the right size.

Enter HP’s Slate.  I’ve been having trouble finding lots of specifics on the slate.  But it looks like it’s a nice size, and should make a great ebook reader/web browser/video player.   Due out sometime in 2010, I think this will be an awesome addition to the new lineup of tablets.

So Apple just announced it’s new iPad tablet.  It will be available for purchase in 60 days (That puts us right around March 27, 2010).   Cost will be $499 for 16gb, $599 for 32gb and $699 for 64gb.  Tablets have wi-fi built in and you also have an option to get them with 3G capabilities for an extra $130.   3G can be purchased via AT&T for $14.99 for 250mb and $29.99 for unlimited data and there is NO Contract required.  You just pre-pay and away you go.

Looks like the iPad has a 9.7″ screen and multitouch.  No camera, no flash, and I’m not sure about multi-tasking.

Enjoy!!!

Thanks to one of our forum members, Ben, I’m posting about this great looking Android Tablet.   This looks like a great device, has the nice large screen so you don’t have to give yourself a headache from looking at teeny tiny fonts on your cell phone.  And, it’s running android.  If you guys haven’t noticed I’m a little bit biased toward Android….it’s a great open source OS and I’ve been reasonably impressed with my Android-based myTouch.

The tablet should be available in 7, 11 and 15 inch screen sizes.

There’s no information on cost, but it sounds like this is going to be sold through one or more of the cell phone carriers and subsidized.  It should be coming out the first half of 2010…so I guess the rest remains to be seen.

Here’s the link to the original story.

http://mashable.com/2009/11/12/vega-android-tablet/

I think I’m in love!! Though this is still just concept. At TekkieFreak we LOVE magazines. I can’t explain why…maybe it’s the pictures, maybe it’s the shiny paper (Ok so no more shiny paper if you are getting electronic magazines). Check out this video that I found over on Gizmodo (this post is for you, Paul). Enjoy:

Mag+ (video prototype footage only) from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Here’s commentary from one of the developers:

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Here’s a link to the story:

http://gizmodo.com/5428619/mag%252B-concept-from-popular-science-publishers-shows-thinking-outside-the-tablet-box

And so I guess it is true.  The Crunchpad is dead.  This is a major bummer, because this is *the* tablet that I was watching and waiting for.  Anyway, here’s the link.  You’re best of just reading the post from Mike Arrington himself.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/30/crunchpad-end/

So  the only bad thing about running a tech blog and finding all the great new products available is that I want one of each.  Since Tekkie Freak is a one-woman operation we just plain don’t have the budget.  Here’s a great video of the Archos 5 (it runs Android) and this guy apparently did some sort of hack which allows you to use the Android marketplace.  I still maintain that that 7″ screen size would be absolute perfection.  On the downside, one would need a handbag or man-purse to carry a 7″ screen around.   My current phone is the T-Mobile MyTouch…which is a great phone, but even that doesn’t fit comfortably in my pocket (unless maybe i’m wearing cargo pants)….so I carry a handbag anyway.  The Archos 5 looks like an amazing device.  Again, I’d go for that 7″ screen…but to each his own.

Here’s a great video of the Archos 5.  It gives you a great idea of what the tablet can do and the touch screen looks amazingly responsive and fabulous.

Enjoy!!!

Archos 5 32 GB Internet Tablet with Android
Price: USD 369.99

8 used & new available from —

Ok, so I just couldn’t help myself with the headlines this morning. Unless I’m missing something (which is entirely possible) there is no Apple tablet. This looks promising…really promising.  This is the Microsoft Courier “tablet” and rather than an ebook reader (though I’m sure it can do that) it’s more meant to be a “journal/agenda”…think Dayrunner on steroids?  It looks like they’re going for the female demographic.  Apparently this baby is running windows 7….so it should be really interesting to see where this goes.  This is getting much closer to my vision of being able to have a thin/small tablet type device that’s large enough for my aging eyes to see and allows me to “read” a magazine in full-color with it’s full formatting.

And honestly, I’m still a bit bitter!  I’m a self-described Trekkie who has thought someone should make a 7″ or 8″ tablet since the days of Next Generation (remember their tablets).  It seems like all these companies are scrambling because they’ve somehow realized there actually is a market for this sort of thing.  I’ve been waiting on this kind of thing for 20 years.

Here’s a video that I found on youtube.  Looks really nice, but I’d love to see a bit more of it’s functionality (ebook reading, surfing, media) if there is any at this point.

At any rate, my faithful readers…enjoy looking at all the new technology coming out!!