(Source: TechCrunch)
Today in Tech: 1.19.09
TechCrunch Tablet Prototype B [Read Article]
When Arrington first announced his intention to build a low-cost, web-dedicated tablet, I was definitely skeptical in his ability to manage the R&D, production, and distribution of such a device. After the better part of a year, it looks like he’s overcome that first hurdle and is now making some final refinements.
The device itself looks great thus far, and the price tag looks even better. I am not fully convinced, though, that I would feel comfortable buying this yet. Netbooks are largely priced in the same range and have the ability to run non web-based applications. Further, CES saw the introduction of the first convertible tablet netbooks, which give users the flexibility to use a physical keyboard when it makes sense to do so. I’m also wondering how typing an email will work when the touch screen is full-on monitor-sized.
Then there’s the issue of support after the purchase. If TechCrunch is going to be the company distributing this product, I’m definitely going to pass on v1.0 and wait for the product reviews to come in. huge benefit with buying a netbook from a company like Dell, HP, or even ASUS is that you can at least trust the 1-year factory warranty in case anything goes wrong. I’m not saying a 10-person blog operation can’t offer great technical support, I’m just saying we haven’t heard anything about their plans to build out that operation and until then, this would be a very questionable purchase in my opinion.
Microsoft to Launch Mobile Mesh & Others [Read Article]
It looks like Microsoft is getting ready to launch a mobile version of Live Mesh called SkyBox, along with two other services: SkyLine (exchange-like solution for the enterprise) and SkyMarket (app store for Windows Mobile). I’m personally glad to see that Microsoft is working hard at regaining a tremendous deal of lost footing from Apple and RIM.
If these reports are correct, Microsoft will launch these services at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona in February. Many Microsoft watchers are expecting announcements about a new version of Windows Mobile with Zune software integration. This may or may not be part of a social-networking project, codenamed Pink, that Microsoft has been working on since its acquisition of Danger (the guys who make the Sidekick) back in February 2008.
I’m definitely excited to hear that Microsoft is still innovating and working to recapture lost markets in spite of the economic downturn. My job depends on it. :P
Windows 7 Testers Find and Fix Installer Bug [Read Article]
I haven’t encountered this, but to those of you Win7 Beta testers who have, check out this article for links to a workaround. Hopefully Microsoft will release an official fix through Windows Update soon.
