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

you know what they say! 'You're doin it wrong!'

Here's a holiday shopping guide for e-readers and tablets. No new information but it does have some interesting points to make, especially concerning the value of 3G vs. wifi only.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40276953/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Forgot something in that last post didn't I?

Here's one to avoid, the Maylong M-150 TabletPC. It's being sold in the states at a national drugstore chain, Walgreens, for the low price of $99. Apparently that's about $98 too expensive for this useless device. Ars Technica wrote a great review about it describing it as the "worst gadget ever". For them, that's saying a lot as they've reviewed thousands of devices.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2010/11/worst-gadget-ever-ars-reviews-a-99-android-tablet.ars

"Really, if you want a tablet that badly and you're on a budget, save up enough cash to get one that has actually gotten some respect from somebody—consumers, open source nerds, we don't care who. The truth of the matter is that the M-150 is so painful to use that you'll rarely find yourself looking forward to using it (not to mention that it feels cheap, flimsy, and barely lasts longer than a drunken fratboy in bed). Why would you do that to yourself?"

The feedback has been mostly pretty good at MoDaCo:-

http://android.modaco.com/category/474/advent-vega-vega-modaco-com/

So I have gone a bought myself an Advent Vega. I shall report back once it has been delivered.

FB

I feel a bit naughty, need a new washing machine and bought this instead.... still will give me something to play with whilst dying of boredom in the laundrette

FB

I keep getting quick pangs to go get a Kindle just to get by until (if/when) the Adam reaches my shores. I could justify it by giving it to my mother after it does. I haven't been able to eat Pho for weeks as I've been reading Hitch 22 and it has several picture sections that make it not lie flat. Gotta have two hands free for a big bowl of Pho tai nam sach bo vien. Did I mention this is a major reason I want an e-reader?

Brilliant!

FB

*eagerly awaiting FB's report on his new buddy*

Asus announced a new tablet and phone today, both look amazing

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/23/acer-reveals-4-8-inch-android-smartphone-with-1024x480-screen-re/
Phone

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/23/acer-introduces-7-inch-and-10-inch-android-tablets/
Tablet

Vega has arrived. On first quick look it seems the business.

Will post a proper run down after work when I have had a proper play like.

FB

Right well spent a fair few hours playing with the Vega.

In short it is good, but not great. I doubt it there are going to be many better tablets at the price point. But there are some viewing angle issues for me. Not enough to spoil it but enough so it isn't quite the urinate around on the internet whereever the darned hell oyu please!

Battery is great, feels nice in the hand. Great for HooToo, Facebook and twitter. The flash works great (so good for iPlayer, YouTube and the like) not watched any movies yet.

I will download the kindle app and have a butchers at some ebooks. But I kinda suspect the viewing angle issue, plus the backlit screen mean that in all probability it wont function as a reader per se. Though I have to say my suspicion is this will be true of all backlit, LCD screens.

So for 240 dabs a tip top bit of kit at the money which I am well pleased with.

FB

If we're still talking ereaders here: Sony launched a new pocket reader:

5" touchscreen, 12 dictionaries (you can mark words and look them up), and you can write and save your own notes on it. At €179, not too expensive. Shame I only bought my reader a few months ago.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/peripherals/review/2010/10/14/Sony-Pocket-Reader--PRS-350-/p1

I have decided I am probably going to have to get a E-Reader as well. I just don't think tablets are likely to "cut it" at any point. Having played with mine, and an iPad.

FB

More on my dips and drops Vega review. Passed the "laundrette" test. Provided me with plenty of entertainment as I sat in the soul destroying place. Watched some YouTube, read the interweb and played Angry Birds (which looks fab on 10.1" screen). Indeed I am even posting this from my Vega.

FB

The Adam (if/when it comes out) should make an good ereader with its Pixel QI screen.

Been reading quite a bit about the QI stuff. I shall reserve judgement until I see it in action. If it does work then will be amazing, I mean the Adam looks the business all round.

But we shall see eh? Anyhoo very happy with my vega in the mean time.

FB

I've been keeping up with their blog. They recently had a post concerning the use of a matte surface on their screens. Apparently there's good reason most devices use glossy screens. Glossy screens less likely to scratch normally. That sort of surprised me but it does make sense now that I think on it. The other problem is with how matte surfaces refract the light, especially in the green wavelengths. Somehow they seem to have overcome both those problems so even in LCD mode it should look great.

They recently addressed their progress with the FCC and CE. While they won't know until they officially get certified or not, they have done in-house versions of all the required testing and have reported that the Adam passed, so certification shouldn't be an issue. The only problem they've reported is that some of their early adopters/beta testers have violated their non-disclosure agreements and that has really irked their investor and their lawyers. Hopefully it won't be too much of an issue.

One point I was interested to read about was that they are working on their direct payment procedures. That gives me a bit more confidence that this won't be vaporware.

Let's hope so. On wonkypedia they are talking about it being released the week before Xmas.

I rather suspect they might wait until CES if they are going to miss the genuine Xmas present rush.

FB