Android Tablet - Toshiba Folio 100

[TeaLeaf]

I'm looking at getting a tablet PC for work purposes (not gaming) to use in meetings and am interested in what is available or about to come out in the android world in this respect.  I saw details of the Toshiba Folio 100 and it looks pretty interesting, although missing multitouch support is disappointing.  It's Android 2.2, the screen is about the right size (10.1"), it has a camera and the estimated price of €400 seems pretty decent too.  Due for lauch in October iirc by which time they will hopefully have beefed up its construction which seemed to be its biggest downside - flimsy materials allowing flexing of the case.  The missing 3G should be added shortly too, so it would then make a decently well connected tablet.

Any decent alternatives about to consider? (not the iPad please).


http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1622&news=google+android+os+toshiba+folio+100+tablet+ifa+acer+lumireader
http://www.itpro.co.uk/626620/toshiba-folio-100-review-first-look
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/2010/09/02/toshiba-folio-100-tablet-review-first-look/
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/portable-computing/hands-on-toshiba-folio-100-review-714014
http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/09/02/toshiba-folio-100-hands-on-photos-of-toshs-android-tablet/

[Gandalf]

Personally, I'm waiting for 'droid 3.0 devices before seriously looking at a tab due to the resolution cap with 2.2 which I believe can only support a maximum screen res of 854x480 which isn't much more than my phone!

[TeaLeaf]

Ok, that's good info, most the screen itself on that device has a higher resolution, but id 2.2 cannot make use of it then it is indeed best to wait for 3.0 I guess.  Thanks G.

[smilodon]

Ditto, I'll wait for v3 as well. Right now I'm quite suspicious about Android tablets. Apple took everyone by surprise when they launched the iPad and I'm worried that their competitors are running to catch up. They knock together a tablet PC they planned to launch in 2011 and rush it out with a copy of Android shoved on top. I think the mature carefully thought out Android tablets are still a few months away yet. Although the Samsung gets fair reviews. Till then I'll stick with a netbook running Ubuntu 10.04.

[delanvital]

Personally, I'm waiting for 'droid 3.0 devices before seriously looking at a tab due to the resolution cap with 2.2 which I believe can only support a maximum screen res of 854x480 which isn't much more than my phone!

How can the Samsung Tab have a 1024x600 resolution then? (edit)

Here:

You Say You Want Resolution. The first major shot to be  fired in the tablet war is expected from Samsung later this week as it  will unveil the Samsung Galaxy Tab at the IFA show in Berlin this  Thursday. ââ,¬Å"Unveilââ,¬Â may be too strong a word, however, due to various  image leaks and teaser videos of the 7-inch touchscreen tablet.  Based on those, itââ,¬â,,¢s likely that Samsung has overcome a key challenge  that I identified previously: the limiting maximum 854 x 480 resolution  supported by Android 2.2. The official specs hit in two days, but investigative review of code for the tablet  indicates it will run a more effective 1024 x 600 resolution. If true,  the Galaxy Tab will offer a higher PPI, or pixels per inch, bringing  greater screen clarity than Appleââ,¬â,,¢s current iPad.

http://gigaom.com/2010/08/31/this-week-is-a-coming-out-party-for-android-tablets/

In general, a very good article btw

[Gandalf]

How can the Samsung Tab have a 1024x760 resolution then?

Well, from what I can work out, the OS can only support upto 854x480 so they may be doing upscaling at the hardware level.
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/141689-will-we-see-any-android-phones-year-higher-res-screens.html

[delanvital]

Well, from what I can work out, the OS can only support upto 854x480 so they may be doing upscaling at the hardware level.
http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/141689-will-we-see-any-android-phones-year-higher-res-screens.html

Either that, or they are themselves doing some of the stuff google will do in Gingerbread (no one knows if the version number will be 3.0) - especially considering how close we are to release.

Tentatively scheduled for Q4 2010 launch. Confirmed new features:

• Support for WebM video playback[53]
  
• Improved copyââ,¬â€œpaste functionalities[54]
  

Unconfirmed new features:
 

• Android Market music store[55]
  
• Media streaming from PC library[55]
  
• Revamped UI[56]
  
• Support for bigger screens with up to Wide XGA (1366Ãâ€"768) resolution [57]
  
• New 3D Games support including new Marketplace area for gaming
• Use of mksh for /system/bin/sh[58]
  
• Support for video calls

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29

[Bob]

I saw details of the Toshiba Folio 100 and it looks pretty interesting

I'm a bit sceptical w.r.t. the Folio. Read the following review that hadn't too much good to say about it: http://androidandme.com/2010/09/tablet/toshiba-folio-tablet-is-a-steaming-pile-of-disappointment/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+androidandme+%28Android+and+Me%29

Take particularly note of the following:

alternative app markets (as the Folio is not certified by Google)

I thought I read a bit more detailed section describing the problem, but I couldn't find it just now. What it means in short is:

The Folio tablet isn't "Google Certified" (because it is missing gps and some other stuff, don't remember the exact requirements to be certified). Android is open source, so of course it can run it. However, only devices that meets the Google certification requirements will have access to the proprietary Google apps such as Android Market (where the heck will you get your apps then?), Gmail and others.

Another discussion which might also be worth taking, is why Google sets such requirements to be allowed to run such core apps of the Android system (for yes, the Market is one of the things that makes Android what it is - and we don't really want a situation where one have to go to lots of different places to find your apps).