Notion Ink Adam tablet – details, prices and release dates

I for one am not a big tablets fan. I consider them cool, but I do enjoy the practically of tablet netbooks a lot more, as you can actually use them to create content, not just consume. However, if there’s one touch tablet I would like to own, from the many unveiled this year, that is for sure the Notion Ink Adam. I’ve covered this subject before, during spring when it was first presented.

Much has changed since then tough, which brings for this new article. First of all, the specs:

• 10.1 inch Pixel Qi display, capacitive, 1024 x 600 px resolution
• NVIDIA TEGRA 2 + Dual Core Cortex A processor
• Android OS
• 16/32GB SD storage
• top connectivity: WiFi b/g,  3G and Bluetooth 2.1
• 3.2MP swiveling camera
• headset and mic, 2xUSB ports, HDMI
• stereo speakers
• others: 3 axis accelerometer, ambient light sensor, A-GPS

While other features are not unseen, you will notice the 10 inch Pixel Qi display on the Notion Ink Adam tablet. You can find details on this technology in this other post. Or watch the clip below. Basically, this is a capacitive touch LCD display, but unlike most others, this one is non-glare, so you will be able to use it outside (and not as a mirror).

What’s really impressive about this type of display is that it comes with two operating modes: one that performs like every other LCD and runs movies and all kind of colored content. And there’s another one: you can actually switch back-lighting for this device, transforming the screen into a B&W one, but making it usable in strong light conditions, almost like e-ink screens are. Plus, in this mode, you do save a lot on battery life (uses 80% less than on regular mode).

Sleek looks for the Adam, although this is not the actual product, but a computer render

The whole purpose of the Notion Ink Adam is to provide the ultimate mobile device: a hybrid between regular tablets, that can run all kind of multimedia content and apps, connect to Internet for browsing and chatting, and ebook readers, great for consuming all kind of static content without causing eye bleed like LCDs.

The idea behind the Adam created a lot of hype around it. People all around the world are looking forward to get it. However, like with all cool devices, things don’t go as well as planned. While early plans mentioned the Adam for late this year, it’s now more and more obvious we won’t see it until 2011.

The guys at Notion Ink recently gave away some info on pricing and availability for their gadget.

• it will be official launched somewhere between November 2010 and January 2011 (schedule to arrive at FCC by the middle of November)
• prices will go from $399 (for the versions with a regular LCD and Wi-Fi) and up to $498 (for the version with Pixel Qi display and Wi-Fi+3G). However, they said these prices are not final and may be prior to change
• they are currently working on the customized UI and applications for this device, but since it will work on Android, you should have a pretty large base of apps to choose from when launched
• they are looking for carrying partners in the US, so that means we’ll see the Adam subsidized, along with a contract (probably a 2-year)
• also, they are working on closing deals for all kind of content, including multimedia, books and magazines

Top tablet in my list right now

So, things are yet from final for the Notion Ink Adam. Still, they look better everyday. We’ve yet to see it in action lately and I for one am looking forward for some previews of that UI.

But price is good, device does come with a huge advantage over competition (the Pixel Qi Screen) and it ain’t bad at all in terms of aesthetics either. Too bad it keeps getting delayed, I would have loved to have one for Christmas this year. But who knows, maybe there are still chances. Slim ones though.

There are also rumors of an Adam 2 to go on shops this time next year, which is hilarious as they don’t know for sure when this first generation will actually land. It will be powered by Nvidia’s Tegra 3 platform and run Android 3.0 Gingerbread. Still, these are faraway from us now.

Anyway, stay tuned as I’ll update on the subject. I really think the Notion Ink Adam will be one of the best touch tablets in schedule for the near future, so I will keep a close eye on it.

Via Notion Ink and Slashgear

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tags: 10 inch tablets, Android 3.0, Notion Ink Adam, Nvidia Tegra, Nvidia Tegra 3, Pixel Qi, touch tablet, touchscreen

Last updated: August 16, 2010 | Published: August 13th, 2010 | Add the first comment!