“Toshiba on Monday launched a dual-screened mini notebook PC that can be used as an e-book reader, adding to competition for the likes of Apple Corp’s [sic] iPad and Amazon.com’s Kindle,” Reuters reports. “The new gadget, which can be used like a conventional clam-style notebook PC with a software keyboard, or turned 90 degrees for use as an e-book reader, will go on sale in Japan in late August and later in Europe, the United States and other markets.”
Reuters reports, “Executives were keen to emphasize that the Libretto, which they expect to retail for about 120,000 yen ($1,320) in Japan, compared with $489 for the larger of Amazon’s Kindle devices, or $499 for the cheapest iPad, offers more than a passive ‘consumption’ experience. ‘Apple’s iPad is probably creating a new market in terms of consuming information, browsing and reading books,’ Masahiko Fukakushi, president and CEO of Toshiba’s digital products and network unit, told reporters. ‘But when it comes to creation or production … what we have been doing still has a lot of value. We want to continue to do both.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s iPad offers much more than a passive “consumption” experience: Pages, Numbers, Keynote, etc. Toshiba’s attempt at deceit falls flat in the face of fact. Toshiba’s president and CEO of Toshiba’s digital products and network unit is either ignorant of what iPad does – i.e. he’s not doing his job – or he’s a liar trying to brand iPad as a consumption-only device. That is simply not true. Beyond the already-shipping Pages, Numbers, Keynote and any number production/creations apps (there are more everyday), anyone who’s seen iMovie on iPhone 4 (an iOS device just like iPad) understands that it (likely with even more capabilities) and many more “creation or production” apps are on the way for iPad (iOS 4 is coming to iPad this autumn).
If the iPad also-rans are going to try to use the “passive consumption” talking point, they’re going to to fail even more miserably than normal with their cheap, ugly, ill-conceived Apple product knockoffs.
When they start out with ignorance and/or lies before they’re even shipping, you know they’re doomed.
Where is iOS4, where, when, want.
Expensive, who will buy this clonker?
Big, heavy looking, possible clunker? Not very well thought out.
Face it. It’s ugly. I agree that form follows function, but in this case form trails function by several hundred yards.
There is people for everything, so some of them will buy this clunky thing. It is ugly, heavy and it appear to became form 10 years ago or something. Except for the second screen/soft keyboard, it is soooo 90s…
Shit happens, sometimes®
Oh man, this shows just how far ahead Apple is. Who the hell would buy that thing?
Looks like they just stuffed a bunch of existing components in to a box. It should be called the “Platypus”.
I know bias is not a bad thing, and you make no effort to say that you are anything other than a site for all things Apple. Calling the CEO a liar, when there is nothing in his reported comment that leads to that conclusion is juvenile. I would suggest that your commentary be more like PBS than Fox News.
When all you’ve got as a selling point for your product is that it does something that the competition doesn’t do… when the competition DOES do that thing… You’re in a bit of trouble.
With each release of these other tablets, I’m reminded that Apple’s only real competition is themselves. No surprise.
Kind of misses the point of a thin, light-weight “pad” or “tablet” isn’t it? I know they call it a netbook but you can install a eBook reader into a desktop or the BAT too, but does that automatically make them comparable class of devices?
If the iPad also-rans are going to try to use the “passive consumption” talking point, they’re going to to fail even more miserably than normal with their cheap, ugly, ill-conceived knockoffs.
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I’d have to agree that the iPad is MAINLY a “passive consumption” device, but why is that a bad thing? You CAN create documetns on it and sure, pages and numbers are great on the iPad but still very limited compared to the desktop versions. I use my iPad everyday while consuming, but I definitely go to the MBP or the MP to do serious work
Anyone who’s used Pages etc. knows that it isn’t a clean transition from desktop app to IPad app; nor so easy to manage files.
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That is the production environment promised in the article. MDN, let’s give credit where credits due.
With that said… I’ll keep my IPad, thank you very much
Apple, We’re waiting. Where is iOS4. Did you not say June 21 is the release date?
Ah, and so stylishly sleek.
Even when Jobs introduced the iPad his spiel was to the effect that iPad would have to do SOME things better than a notebook or phone (and it does,) CONSUMPTION tasks were what he highlighted, things like photos, movies, internet, etc..etc.. PRODUCTIVITY tasks weren’t mentioned.
But on a positive note, software keyboards are growing in popularity. Whodathunkit!
Any tablet with two screens will be a terrible distraction. Don’t think this is smart design. Also it will suck battery life for breakfast. I don’t think the Japanese after they have tasted the joy of the iPad will want this ignominy of poor taste.
Add it to the list of things that will wither and die.
the 1990s called, they want their laptop back.
To quote MS CEO, Mr. Ballmer; It is not going to make a very good e-mail machine, because it doesn’t even have a keyboard.
Oh my god, that’s the OLPC ver2, that is supposed to retail for $150. Buuuutttt, it’s not $150!
Any tablet with two screens will be a terrible distraction. Don’t think this is smart design. Also it will suck battery life for breakfast. I don’t think the Japanese after they have tasted the joy of the iPad will want this ignominy of poor taste.
This makes a compelling case, would fold into a smaller size than a single screen equivalent.
@Cjames
If anything it will be available at noon time. I’d be guessing that they are offering it in the morning in california which would be noon here on the east coast 🙁
@Anon,
You nailed it!
Looks about as heavy as my original Wall Street Power Book. Good luck with the battery life…
If you recall, one of the original rumors for the iPad was a dual screen device. There’s room in the market for such a device.