Freescale to show ARM-based net tablet design
Android or Linux? Your choice
Chip maker Freescale has launched a reference design from which ARM-based handheld internet tablet can be forged.
The basic spec incorporates a 7in, 1024 x 600 touchscreen, Flash storage, SD card expansion, Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity. Freescale - formerly part of Motorola - has put in a battery that, when combined with the display and an ARM Cortex-A8 processor, yields 12 hours of runtime.
MID to measure: Freescale's reference design
Maintaining that duration is probably why Freescale hasn't incorporated 3G connectivity - odd, perhaps, given the close association between ARM processors and smartphones.
Still, Freescale's design is simply the basis for products other companies will build - Freescale hopes to sell its ARM-based CPUs on the back of it. Said manufacturers can build in 3G if they wish. Likewise, they may add a multi-touch panel in place of the single-touch job Freescale has specified.
Multiple colours, of course
Freescale anticipates vendors will choose either Linux or Android to run on their tablets. They may also opt to add a clip-on keyboard.
The chip maker will be showing a prototype MID based on the design at the Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) in Las Vegas this week. ®
COMMENTS
So basically it's a Nokia N800...
.. with a slightly bigger screen.
When did Android stop being Linux?
-A.
"odd, perhaps, given the close association between ARM processors and smartphones."
Not odd, perhaps, given how maintaining phone ability on a tablet computer would drain the battery in a couple hours.
There is much, much more to be obtained from ARM than just phones. Just because Microsoft can't port their useless OS to this architecture doesn't meant it's just for phones.
and as mentioned above, it will be running Linux no matter what. At least for now.
What is it about the phrase...
"reference design" you didn't understand?
lol
" I doubt Apple will want people to buy it and put XP, or Linux (Android, Moblin, Maemo or Ubuntu flavours) on it and break link to iTunes."
lol, you're funny!
Looks quite good. But you can't click on the poicture
It would be good too take a closer look at those interfaces. Also is there a minimum level of memeory spec'd for this?
Not with those interfaces and a wireless router I think VoIP should be possible. No phone needed in house.
Who (if) anyone actually uses this reference model is another matter but I like it.
