While we’re still not convinced by the tablet form factor (perhaps, given our focus we wouldn’t be!), it seems we won’t be able to walk for tripping over them by the end of the year.
Speaking to ComputerWorld, ARM’s worldwide mobile computing ODM manager Roy Chen said he expected over 50 different models of tablet PCs to be on the market before 2011. “The first tablet devices will launch in the second quarter by [mobile network] carriers,” he explained, “[but] you’ll see a lot more in the third quarter.”
As might be expected, Chen didn’t break down specific agreements ARM has with these tablet makers, but he did say companies across the globe are onboard, including “the top 10 telecommunications network operators”. Chen also demonstrated two tablet prototypes: an unnamed in model from Compal running Android and using Tegra 2, and a smaller Freescale-based tablet also using Android curiously named the ‘Armadillo’.
ComputerWorld didn’t take snaps of these devices, but let’s be honest here: we all know what Android looks like and there’s only so much variation you can introduce into a form factor which is essentially a slab with a screen on the front. Then again, as I’ve already said: we would say that…
Gordon
