Has ViewSonic trumped Apple with 7in Android tablet?

It's a very nice looking device, quite tempted with the price range.

By skarlock on 31 Aug 2010

Has anyone figured out what these things are for yet? I know I want one but I don't knwo what I'd do with it!

By Bluespider on 31 Aug 2010

7" iPad

Does a 7" screen count as an iPad mini or an iPhone maxi?

I'm confused!

Strategically I doubt Apple would want to target the middle ground.

By ironbath on 31 Aug 2010

The proof of the pudding will be in the usability of the device. How responsive is it? How good are the colours, resolution, angle of view etc?

Apple's iPad has a lot of Developers behind it (250,000 apps, of which only 30% are free) and it works as a complete ecosystem.

The viewsonic looks fairly chunky, but will it be clunky in use? It is cheap though. If it's as sluggish and lumpy in use as the Dell though, it won't be a huge success.

By SwissMac on 31 Aug 2010

@ironbath

Maxipad! Awesome!

By Grunthos on 31 Aug 2010

Remember that Android has an even larger developer base and I assume any Android developed app will work on this device.

By skarlock on 31 Aug 2010

They're getting more tempting. I still want one with an infra-red transmitter so I can use it as a universal remote control and a uPnP control point.

By stoin86 on 31 Aug 2010

Wow I'd say Viewsonic did a good job of re-badging that OliviaPad and releasing it before Apple has said anything, but then again I'm sure the spec isn't as good as Apples zombies would have you belive - even if it works faster - which I doubt - I believe the best on the market is the Samsung 7incher and that'll fly with Android. The cheapest will be the Indian Tablet - which provides all of the above for less than $50 :)

By nicomo on 31 Aug 2010

It's a toy

Seems it's 800x480 and 600Mz processor -so no real competition.

By milliganp on 31 Aug 2010

The Samsung Tab will be the Android tablet to beat. Had the pleasure of using it (for a brief 3 mins) and it's got the lot, as the cliche goes, as well as being fast and responsive. 7 inches is definitely the so-called sweet spot for Tablets. No wonder Apple are getting in on the act.

By popeye91 on 31 Aug 2010

Nobody can claim 7 inches is the "sweet spot" for Tablets since none have yet been sold, so the only size that has sold in any numbers must therefore be in the sweet spot - and that's the iPad.

As for Android having more developers than iOS, 70% of the apps on Android are free so they won't be making much money.

Interesting to note that a recent Freedom of Information request to the BBC showed that the iPad is the preferred way of streaming content with 5,272,464 iPlayer programmes downloaded to Android's 6,400. Android uses Flash.

By SwissMac on 1 Sep 2010

As an iPad user I would say 9 inch is about right. I had been concerned the iPad is too heavy but proved not to be a major issue.

I was doubtful before owning an iPad if it'd get much use. In fact I use it as much as my Windows desktop PC but for different things.

By cyberindie on 1 Sep 2010

Other sites have also reported them ready to launch a 10" Android/Win 7 dual-boot tablet.

I assume that one will have a bit more grunt, as well as storage.

Interesting times.

By Phoomeister on 1 Sep 2010

spelling out the obvious

@SwissMac

I've seen the future. The unwieldy 9.7 inch ipad is a fading memory. Everything is 7 inch, for obvious reasons.

By popeye91 on 1 Sep 2010

Dear Popeye, please enlighten us

I must know the obvious reasons, I cannot sleep for worrying what I might have missed. There's me struggling along with a 9.7" display, but an Internet Oracle has just informed the world that, for apparently obvious reasons, it is fading away before my very eyes! Omigod, I can't even remember what I'm typing this post on! Dooooooomed!
Do try harder mate.

By Throbinevans on 1 Sep 2010

Has ViewSonic trumped Apple with 7in Android tablet?

No.

By Stiggy on 2 Sep 2010

7 inches is obvious because ...

Smaller means high miniaturisation costs, too fiddly and cramped to use, and not enough battery space. Larger means high material costs, uncomfortable weight, and dismal comparisons to netbook flexibility. We may not have any 7 inch tablets selling yet, but I suspect it's where the hot competition will be, which will spur price reductions.

By fogtax on 2 Sep 2010

@Fogtax - you make a good point, nice to have a bit of balance. It'll be interesting to see how things turn out.

By Throbinevans on 2 Sep 2010

http://coopermurphywebb.com/ipad-consumer-usage-st
udy suggests that 2/3 of iPad users don't like to use them out of the house.

I personally think a 10 or 12in tablet would be great for the home but too big to want to carry around regularly. Perhaps a 7in device might just be the right size for a 'mobile' tablet.

I also think that manufactures should spend less effort making them 3G compatible. The iPad is rarely used out of the home and most decent smartphones have tethering these days.

As for using them as a smarthphone replacement, would you want to hold up a 7in device to your ear like a phone?

By Daleos on 4 Sep 2010

http://coopermurphywebb.com/ipad-consumer-usage-st
udy suggests that 2/3 of iPad users don't like to use them out of the house.

I personally think a 10 or 12in tablet would be great for the home but too big to want to carry around regularly. Perhaps a 7in device might just be the right size for a 'mobile' tablet.

I also think that manufactures should spend less effort making them 3G compatible. The iPad is rarely used out of the home and most decent smartphones have tethering these days.

As for using them as a smarthphone replacement, would you want to hold up a 7in device to your ear like a phone?

By Daleos on 4 Sep 2010