The Future of MeeGo Tablets

Where is the display-size sweet spot?

Nov 3 2010, 3:32pm CDT | by Robert Evans

Red Flag Software's NPad, the first Meego Tablet, has popped up again at an event in China. It packs a 10.1" display, Moorestown Z6xx processor, WiFi and 3G. The NPad will hit stores in Q3. The OS is Midinux 3.0, which is based off of MeeGo.

Other tablets packing the same Z6xx processor have been spotted, with Wistron, Compal, Quanta and CZC showing off prototypes. Red Flag is one of the first manufacturers to busy themselves with MeeGo, but they won't be the last. Twenty-seven other tech companies have promised support for MeeGo.

So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: what does this tablet tell us about the things MeeGo slates will focus on? For one, BATTERY LIFE. Red Flag has been bragging an 8 hour battery life on the NPad, which is very impressive for a device this early in the evolution. With a fully mobile OS (as opposed to the hybrid Midinux) like MeeGo, that life could be even longer.

The 10.1" display size is actually an interesting decision. That puts the NPad and (one presumes) other MeeGo Z6xx-based tablets in the same size-category as the Adam. LG is betting on 8.9" as the optimal size, while Samsung has thrown their hat into the ring with a 7" tablet. These size differences come along with differences in intent.

For example. The LG Pad is built to be a direct iPad competitor. The (relatively) small 8.9" screen helps to lengthen battery life without sacrificing too much screen real-estate. 8.9" is the size of a sheet of paper (ish), more than large enough to be productive.

Meanwhile, the Adam is built to be its own device through-and-through. From the Genesis UI to the transflective 10.1" display, Notion Ink wants to differentiate their offering from the iPad while saying to customers "this tablet is a content-creating MONSTER". The larger size means serious business- and amazing 1080p viewing.

The fact that MeeGo pads seem to be clustering around this 10.1" size says "This is an iPad for Serious People". Which seems to be the angle most manufacturers bringing out MeeGo products will try to play. We'll see just how effective that tactic can be in the coming months.

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Robert Evans
The excitement about new smartphones, tablets and anything mobile drive Robert to unearth the latest rumors and developments in this fast moving space. He adopted 4G as soon as it become available and knows where the mobile market is going.
Robert can be contacted directly at robert@i4u.com.