“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.
iMacDave,
it’s form follows its function perfectly: it really is as bad as it looks. None of the iPad also rans in the next year will get that it’s all about the software. By the time they figure that out, if ever, it won’t matter. Apple will already be too far out in front.
Toshiba had really no choice. Netbook market is already shrinking, notebook is a commodity, so they really had no choice but provide an “answer” to the question everyone (from the board room, to the stockholder meeting room, to the Wall Street) is asking: “Where is YOUR iPad killer”?
Toshiba probably wasn’t planning on releasing one, thinking that an enlarged iPod touch on steroids couldn’t possibly be anything than the same niche device as all previous tablet computers (including their own) used to be. When they were blindsided by the massive amount of press iPad received (in anticipation of its release), as well as even more massive success of the device, demands for a “response” started to pile on.
All current portable computing hardware makers will be forced (by their boards, shareholders, investors and other stake holders) to waste money, time and research in order to quickly launch their own “iPad killer” device. The more noise is generated among the would-be devices, the more the genuine article will stand out.
Another Soviet iPad
I’m an Apple early adopter but don’t let enthusiasm for things Apple get in the way of looking at the competition carefully.
Toshiba should not be counted out. They have more experience with laptop and potable computing devices than any other company period. And that includes Apple. The Libretto (original that is) was way ahead of its time. They had portable computers when Microsoft was just beginning to think about DOS only Toshiba’s were running CP/M and MP/M (and some models used DR/DOS) all of which were better than M$DO$.
This new device resembles some of the early thoughts for an Apple sub-notebook device. It will do some things better than the iPad, but IMHO it will not be a serious challenger. It would appear to be aimed at a different market.
It would be good for Apple if it succeeds as credible competition always benefits the market generally. I wish it well. These days it will not be for me and I am happy with my devices from those clever guys at Cupertino.
But don’t knock this just because it comes from somewhere else.
Cheers
To add here are the specs…
The W100 is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel U5400 processor, and has 2GB DDR3 RAM, a 62GB solid state hard drive and two 7-inch (diagonal) touchscreens with 1024 by 600 resolution. The UMPC is running Windows 7 Home Premium and features a virtual keyboard with haptic feedback that can be configured in six different ways including full, numeric 10-key (number pad), and split thumb. Other specs include 1 megapixel Webcam with face recognition technology, microSD card slot, one USB 2.0 port. 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1. Toshiba did not announce a 3G option for the W100.
Battery life?
Windows7, no thanks
Don’t be too shocked about lying. Isn’t this the same company that was accused of selling the Soviet Union milling equipment to make specialized submarine propellers back in 1987? Anything to turn a
propeller……um I mean a dime.
More temporary devices in a nacient market. People will probably start asking manufacturers to stop installing Windows so they can get it with Meego or Android without the additional tax on battery life. Clever move on Microsoft’s part, change the form factor and charge for licensing on that via patents. I guess these devices have to have windows on them since they are pushing the courier concept?
I am trying to understand the logic behind this device, and am at a loss. It is bulky, obviously heavy, like a notebook/netbook. The only possible advantage of this form factor over that of the iPad is that a *real* keyboard can be installed in the lower half. But instead they have another touch screen. A real keyboard is much better for typing than a touch surface. The advantage to a small, light single-piece form factor like the iPad is that it’s extremely convenient and portable. So, let’s see … need to do a lot of data input – buy a laptop/netbook or use an external keyboard with your iPad. Not so much data input, just buy an iPad.
Why would anyone want to buy this Toshiba hybrid monster? Especially if it’s running Windows? This definitely looks like something whipped together quickly, motivated by panic. On the up side, it’s “competition” for the iPad, helps Apple avoid the perception of being a monopoly.
If the original report is to be taken at face value, an unnamed Toshiba “executive” categorized the iPad as a “passive” device for consumption only. Sorry to all the Toshiba apologists, but that is a demonstrable lie. It is the BIG LIE that all iPad competitors are trotting out. It is almost like Apple’s competitors got together and voted on their favorite negative bullet to use as the common talking point. Obviously, the iPad is not the ideal production device, but compared to my Mac Pro, iMac, or even MacBook Pro, neither is this Libretto.
So, regardless of the merits of this new Toshiba machine, their statements about the iPad were as MDN described: either inexcusable ignorance or lies to confuse potential customers. Neither says much for their integrity.
Again with the Apple Corps?
The article must have written by a snarky Brit.
Is it any wonder companies have little tolerance for other businesses who encroach on their brands?
Holy crap is that thing ugly
@NCIceman – 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.”
There is. I’m sure they will sell 6 or 7 of them. Most will be given by the designers to their Moms.
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Could this be the hardware for Courier?
Remember that the original Zune was based on a Toshiba design? And since Balmer killed off Courier. Guess Toshiba want to recover some development cost and look like they are in the race still…
Debut means…. Photoshop, let’s see if this gets any tracion… Vaporware
Wow, its a Powerbook Duo
For the youngsters
Wow. Just wow. Words. Fail. Me.
$1,320?
You have got to be kidding.
Forget about deception, content consumption, creation, whatever the crap they are talking about. This is why windows tablets have failed for a decade. Do everything Windows does but pay more? Too much money for too little product.
There is no universe where this product will succeed.
@ S4BB–
MDN didn’t call the guy a liar. They gave a few suggestions for what he “may” be, but they never said he’s a liar.
Read it again. Then read it again. Repeat this process until comprehension sets it.
Big ass Nintendo DS. How clever…
Considering the screen is what consumes the most power in an iPad (by far), I can imagine why this thing is so thick. It needs twice the battery power. Actually, since it runs Windows 7, it probably needs about 10x the battery power to run for two hours.
I say LOL to it ad an iPad killer because it’s not.
But for $1,320 I would pick one up if they came to Sweden. It’s really cheap and Toshiba makes great things.
@TheConfuzed1
MDN definitively states there are only two ways to understand the CEO comments; option one is that he is incompetent or option two that is a liar because he is trying to brand the iPad as a consumption only device. They then go on to make the case that it is a creation device also, thus making their case that he is a liar because the device does more than just consumtion, and makes no effort to make the case that he is incompetent.
The idea of comprehension also applies to you, please try harder to not live up to your screen name.
As part of its 25th anniversary in business laptops, Toshiba launched the product with two screens called Libretto w100 which could be the answer to the iPad. Although Toshiba said this product is still a concept but it appears to have finished products are designed and ready to be released in the market.
http://tehnoking.com/computer/dual-screen-notebook-the-answer-to-ipad.html