h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It should be alright since it's designed for Android and they've tried to make it as open as they can. It's not all proprietary like Apple products. Even if the company goes away there will still be new applications available. It's currently not part of the Android market only because the current version of Android isn't designed for tablets' resolution, but once the next version, Honeycomb, comes out I expect that to change. Even so, you can run current Android apps, they just don't work in their "panel" system so they'll be full screen.

Also i'd say there is a pretty good chance the Android Community will pick the Adam up. Which means that development on software will continue even if notion Ink don't!

FB

'Kay, then, that's sorted!

I'm glad someone is working on the various tablet platforms; it's a good form, and I think it'll be very versatile the more it changes. I am hoping that the Samsung Galaxy will get more affordable, myself. It's also an Android platform, running 2.2. So far.

My Adam ships in a week. Anyone know where I can get a good decal?

Scan one from the book front and print it?

I'll just find some large, friendly, vinyl letters at the craft/hardware store.

Comic Sans?

I wish I'd seen this earlier... it's pretty much what I had in mind when I started this thread.


http://xkcd.com/548/

I can almost taste it. My Adam tablet is on its way to me. It hasn't made it to Hong Kong just yet. When it does I'll get a tracking number. Then I'm assuming about a week to get halfway around the world.

If anyone else is interested they are in their second round of pre-orders and have a small number of them still available.

Here's where you can find a link: http://notionink.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/next-round-of-order/


They still haven't opened up their Genesis market nor have they been updated for the Honeycomb version of Android(designed specifically for tablets) but I expect that they may do so soon, at least the Honeycomb update. The Xoom tablet is scheduled to come out on the 24th with Honeycomb so I figure the Adam shouldn't be too far behind it. Until then applications are limited without "rooting" the Adam to get access to the Android phone app market. They have been quick to put out updates for the Adam so this bodes well. They do need to open up a support forum. Currently they only have email support. Many people have taken to spamming their wordpress blog forums with complaints and rumors. Given no real proper place to do so makes reading their post replies very slow and rather repetitive. Rohan's updates are usually a bit cryptic and limited to specific issues.

Anyhoo... I should be getting my Adam in a week or so.

A fair amount of the Eden skin and programs have made it into the android scene. They are so/so but I dont think the bespoke software is that amazing.

Obviously the real thing for the Adam is the Pixel Qi screen. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts.

FB

Yea, I agree. Eden and its apps are very "meh" at the moment, but I don't think they've fully released their SDK yet. I'm thinking things will improve greatly after Adam is released in stores and their Genesis market opens up.

As for the Pixel Qi screen, I've seen some very good videos out there from folks who've received theirs already. It's a compromise, but for my purposes it's a good one. The PQ screen with backlight off is nowhere as brilliant as a Kindle eInk screen. It lacks the contrast. However, it's still very readable in full sun. The LCD screen isn't as brilliant as an iPad's and has limited viewing angles. But an iPad is useless outside. I don't plan on using it for presentations so I'm not worried about viewing angle. I don't mind a bit of compromise to be able to use it in varying lighting situations. I want it for its "on the go" aspects.

I'll definitely be posting my thoughts after it's in my hands here, don't worry.

Perhaps Tavaron can create something and put it up here http://public.fotki.com/Tavaron/hootoo-artwork/

Martin
---
Excuse the footwear induced halitosis

Crud.
I meant to say maybe Tavaron could create a don't panic sticker and...

Onv the software thing though pretty much the first thing I do with any android device is root it and get all the proprietory rubbish off.

On the NI apps the "mailed" app is great; though it cannot import your gmail contacts which is slightly annoying. They NI keyboard is ok in all (though not quite as good as "Smart Keyboard Pro". The best NI app I have used is there sniffer app which is ace.

The GUI requirwes a bit more oompf than the Vega is capable of so I have not really given it a try.

FB

Here's a slideshow of the various leading tablets coming out this year.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/114871/20110222/apple-ipad-motorola-xoom-hp-touchpad-lg-g-slate-notion-ink-adam-samsung-galaxy-10-1-android-3-0-hone.htm

Yeah some good stuff coming out.

What I would say is that the 1024 X 600 screen res (that both my Vega and your Adam share) might not quite cut it once Honeycomb gets launched. I think the Adam is slightly more futurepoofed because of the gig of ram.

But like anything technological there simply is *never* a right time to buy because whatever oyu get in 6 months time there is something twice as good out! No point waiting for the next big thing get something now that does the job you want and if down the line you need to upgrade do it then!

FB

Well... as it stands now I can't recommend anyone purchase an Adam until they're available either in stores or through someone like Amazon.

As it stands now I am very doubtful I'll be receiving mine anytime soon. Notion Ink (Rohan in particular) have not updated their blog in 10 days. I've yet to receive any direct reply at all, much less a tracking number while I see many folks reporting on receiving their Adams. All I have to go on is what I'm seeing from customers. Notion Ink sent out a standard reply to all who had emailed their support address since they announced shipments that states:
___________
We understand that you have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of your Adam and that you are experiencing difficulties in tracking your order.

You can be assured that your Adam is already on its way and you will be contacted by our logistics partners soon with your shipping details.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to you and request your patience for just a little while longer.

Rest assured you will be receiving your Adam in the next three to five working days.

Thank you for your time and patience.
_______________________

I've received that reply twice so far when requesting specific information about my order. My order status has been listed as "shipped" for about two weeks now. I've tried looking my order up directly from the shipper (without a tracking number but others have reported success by using their NI order #) but no luck. Today, after sending yet another email (no response yet, hours later) I checked my credit card history online and see no sign of a transaction (at least I haven't been robbed).

From the reports of others in situations similar to mine (except for the lack of a transaction) a few/several/many Adams were recalled back to the factory after shipping out to Xiamen. This may have been simply due to a mix up with packages mislabeled (wrong models shipped?). Since they apparently haven't even billed me for mine, I have to assume that mine has indeed not been "shipped". Yet they sent me that email assuring me that it would be arriving in 3 to 5 days.

Anyway, the main thing that is certain is that while the Adam may be a very good device, the company is not ready for sales or customer service. They are currently unresponsive to emails or blog comments and they offer no other options for contacting them.

To say the least, I am extremely disappointed.

Any joy yet?

FB

Nope... People that have ordered them last month will get them before I get mine. Apparently mine and most of the early orders for the pixel qi screens with 3G, especially ones for North America are stuck in customs in China. No idea how long they'll be there. There is also a major shipment for those in India stuck in customs in India because officials there are demanding a bribe. This was mentioned in a blog post this week. He also mentioned that they've increased their support staff, that they have ported their Eden apps on Honeycomb, that they're setting up support centers in the US, Germany and India among other advancements.

Oh boy. Waiting for "officials" to get anything done...up the creek without a paddle.

No need.

I hope it works out for you, increasingly glad I got my Vega rather than waiting. Even if I end up getting an Adam if and when they become more widely avaiable I have had months of fun from my tablet.

I must say I am very surprised that more Pxel Qi displays have not been seen on any of the other tablets coming out. Makes me wonder just how much trade off interms of resolution and crispness of image is needed. I really *want* the Pixel Qi to be a big winner though as it would surely be the way forward.

FB