Could This Be The Po-Man’s iPad?

August 20th, 2010
· by Carlton Flowers · Filed Under: technology

PANDIGITAL CRANKS OUT A SUB-$200 MULTIMEDIA E-READER

Pandigital
I was shocked when I heard about the new Pandigital color e-reader today. Is this an e-reader, or is it more of a tablet computing device? After reading all of the specs, I would have to say that this is closer to a sort of “poor man’s iPad”. It has a lot of great features for a price that is really impressive, as low as $159 online.

There are two types of people that would be in the target market for this device. First, those looking for an eBook reader. Second, those looking for a mobile tablet-style computing device. In my opinion, I think those looking for a cheap tablet computer will benefit the most from the Pandigital e-reader.

For those looking for an eBook reader, the obvious competing devices would be the Kindle and the Nook. The biggest advantage that Kindle and Nook have over the Pandigital e-reader would be the eInk display, which is made to give the least possible eye strain for people who read for hours on end. The Pandigital device does have a nice display, checking in with an impressive 800×600 resolution at roughly 5″ x 7″ in size. It also has a reverse-mode for night time viewing which greatly reduces eye strain. But it’s not eInk. So if you are looking for a device that you will mainly use to read lots of text, you may lean towards Kindle and Nook.

But for the gadget geeks like myself who are looking for a more robust multimedia experience with bells and whistles, you’ve got to hand it to Pandigital for providing 1Gb of data storage, a display with an orientation sensor that will reorient the screen when you move from portrait to landscape, the ability to add 32Gb of flash memory, an integrated email program, audio player, calendar and a clock. File transfer between the device and a PC or Mac is easy via the USB port. Add to all of this a touch screen display, and you truly have a working tablet computer/eBook reader on the cheap!

You can’t beat the multimedia extras with the Pandigital device, but I must mention that the new Nook beta operating system will allow you to surf the net with its browser. It’s not the final version, and they are working out the bugs, but it is usable. Therefore, you do have some use beyond the book reading. But for pure book reading and downloading, the advantage goes to the Nook for being able to work with the most possible eBook formats.

So the conclusion is, if you are looking to get your foot in the door with a low-cost tablet concept, I’d give this Pandigital device a try. But before you write off the boring black-and-white display eInk Nook device, realize that there is a great possibility that the Nook 2 could be released before the end of 2010 with a color eInk display. Yes, I said color!

Still can’t decide which way to go? Write a list of the things you want to use your device for and rank them according to most important to least important. Match your most important needs with the device that suits you. Then realize that once you go out and buy that device, it’s going to be obsolete by the time you pull into your driveway before you even get it plugged up into the wall to charge it for the first time.

Do you own a Kindle, Nook, or Pandigital e-reader? Which is best, and why? Shout me out a holler and tell me what you like and dislike about it, or if you have any regrets or recommendations on your purchase. Sound off!

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iPad? iWait – Rolltop? Could Be Great!

March 15th, 2010
· by Carlton Flowers · Filed Under: technology

iPad Is “iFlop” Compared To This Daydream: The “Rolltop”

The tech-world was set ablaze with excitement and high expectations surrounding the Apple iPad and its announcement in late February of 2010. But after all of the hype, the rumors, and prognosticating over the previous year, the unveiling of this ground-breaking technology as a device that would bring a “better internet experience”, i was sorely disappointed. In typical fashion and tradition, Apple brought us a new device that stands out on misfit island. So overconfident they were with the design and its potential, they felt no need to include simple standard amenities like a USB port, an SD memory card slot, a removable battery, a camera, a widescreen display, or ability to multitask. This could be thought of as a positive… perhaps Apple felt that their iPad would provide such a fantastic user experience that you wouldn’t need such ordinary extras.

That’s all well and good. But the biggest disappointment for me was the lack of flash support. Whether or not flash should be be wiped from the face of the internet and replaced with HTML5 doesn’t matter to me one iota. Flash has been called a memory hog, a Macintosh-crasher, a non standard proprietary corporate product, a money sucking machine for developers and more. But for now, it represents 75% of video content on the web (or so I have been told). That being the case, how does Steve Jobs get away with calling the iPad a “better internet experience” device? I don’t know.

I’m a HUGE fan of my iPhone, and I don’t think any smart phone on the market compares to my iPhone 3Gs. I waited to purchase an iPhone until the 3rd generation due to the lack of video capability, a compass, and MMS. But once those features were added, I decided I could live with the absence flash for my phone. But doing without flash on a so-called “full internet” device was a little bit tougher of a decision for me. All things considered, it boiled down to one thing: I’m not spending my hard-earned money on a device to experience half of the web while Apple and Adobe continue their spat.

This was a big let-down for me, but being that I am somewhat of a person you’d call an optimist mixed with day dreamer, I decided to turn my attention to the up-and-coming portable devices of the future like the Microsoft Courier and the HP Slate. But since we’re dreaming, why not push even deeper into the technological future? I say it is time for our imaginations to run wild!

This “Rolltop” tablet concept is definitely a product of someone’s wild imagination right now, but I do think we could see such a device as this in the next 3 years. This entire concept is just flat out amazing, from the rollable form factor to the power source. And yeah, you call me a pipe dreamer, but this is the type of idea that excites me and holds my interest. I’d wait a decade for this. Growing up as a techno-nerd reading Popular Mechanics in my spare time, I’ve always been excited about what breakthroughs we could be experiencing in the distant future. Dream with me for a few moments, and tell me how this concept excites (or bores) you after watching the video. Post your comments if you are motivated to chime in!

Forever geeky,

Carlton Flowers
Marketing Strategist

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My first mailing list is about to be created!

September 19th, 2008
· by Carlton Flowers · Filed Under: Uncategorized

Well folks, I’m about to get my very first opt-in mailing list started! I haven’t quite decided what the subject will be on the first one, but it will probably be centered upon tips and tricks on the internet, great sites, computer information, technology, and the the likes. Ever since having my computer business, I’ve always had people ask me piles of questions about using the net, upgrading computers, informational sites, and more. So this first list will dedicated to helping everyone learn about all the great things that I have discovered over the past 14 years (that’s how long it’s been since I first logged into the sloooooooow first-generation internet at 14.4 baud!).  I’ll make another post when the signup is ready! Until then, cheers!

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