How does the ICD Gemini Tablet PC compare with the Apple iPad and other tablet PCs?
As promised earlier today on whattabletpc.com, we’re going to have a look at the ICD Gemini Tablet PC in a little more detail.
What is the ICD Gemini?
The ICD Gemini has yet to launch so we’re reliant on the spec list that has been announced so far but it is an extremely impressive spec list indeed. The Gemini will run on the Android operating system – a popular mobile phone operating system although potentially this may migrate to Google Chrome later this year.
What’s the ICD Gemini screen like?
11.2 inch multi touch screen (measured diagonally) with a 1366 x 768 resolution, to avoid you having to check, this compares to the iPad’s 9.7 inch screen and 1024 x 768 resolution. The ICD Gemini is plenty capable of dealing with high-definition films in vivid colour and detail with finer definition than the iPad. The screen will be available as both capacitive and resistive options so works with a stylus or other objects – capacitive will probably be more responsive. It’s just 0.6 inches thick so slightly thicker than an iPad but still very mobile. The mocked-up pictures we have look pretty sleek but we won’t get a real feel for how this device rates in the design stakes until we have it in our hands. Potentially it’s slightly larger form makes it a bit more cumbersome than an iPad but this is easily made up for in the higher spec…
What are the key features of the ICD Gemini?
The ICD Gemini has a powerful processor for a tablet PC as it contains a 1GHz Tegra 2 SOC processor and therefore capable of comparable speeds/performance to the Apple iPad. Like the iPad it has GPS for mapping and location services (although the iPad only has assisted GPS) and the latest Bluetooth for wireless syncing with other devices. Furthermore there are a number of things the ICD Gemini will give you that the iPad doesn’t have…
- The Gemini allows you to replace it’s battery so you can slot in a fully charged one if your current battery runs out of charge. The iPad doesn’t give you this flexibility.
- An SD Card Reader for quickly getting your pictures off your camera and onto the tablet PC.
- An FM Radio
- Stereo speakers – the iPad only has a single speaker
- Dual Digital Mics – for picking up ambient noise – the iPad only has a single mic
- MicroUSB connectivity to PCs or peripherals – allowing you to connect to a printer for example
- Front facing webcam for video calls (2 megapixel)
- Rear facing auto-focussing camera for taking pictures (5 megapixel)
Storage is handled by a 4GB onboard Flash drive but the SD Card slot also means you can add up to 32GB on top of this. The iPad comes in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB versions.
How do I browse the internet on the ICD Gemini?
The ICD Gemini will have a 3G connection and WiFi thus allowing you to surf when in the vicinity of a WiFi hotspot or on the 3G network (subject to an carrier agreement) when on the move and out of range of WiFi. The 3G even stretches as far as allowing you to make calls on the device and send text or picture messages. As it’s running the Android operating system it will also run Adobe Flash so you can watch Flash based video or animation and play Flash based games when you come across them online – unlike on the iPad where Flash is prevented from working.
What about watching movies and TV downloads on the ICD Gemini?
As above the screen and processor are well up to the job and the tablet even has a HDMI output allowing connection to a HD TV so you can watch movies on the tablet through your widescreen TV if you have a HDMI connection on your TV and buy a cable to hook them up.
How will the software perform on the ICD Gemini?
Stuff.tv managed to get their hands on a preproduction model of the ICD Gemini and the software was a little buggy with a few tweaks required – this is an area where you’d expect there to be substantial work before it’s launched though. Overall they were impressed with web surfing that gave, “blisteringly fast page renders, smooth scrolling, speedy rotation and full Flash support”. Genuine multitasking is possible via Android (currently not possible on the iPad). Android has it’s own email, ereader and news apps that, “despite looking stranded on the huge display, worked perfectly.” They also thought, “The Gemini’s built-in stereo speakers sound superb”.
What other ICD Gemini features are there?
- A 3.5mm audio jack
- Digital compass
- Infrared for communication with other electronic devices such as your home audio visual system.
ICD Gemini Price
Prices are expected to be comparable to the iPad but it’s too early to tell.
ICD Gemini Released Date
No firm date has been set although August has been touted so watch this space for more news.
Conclusion
The ICD Gemini has a fantastic hardware spec but it’s too early to tell if the software will be up to the job and compete with the iPad. Ultimately the Gemini hasn’t launched yet , Apple have had a first to market advantage with the iPad and are enjoying very little competition so far. Clearly they’ll need to be on their game as those that follow now know what they have to beat and will be putting feature rich tablet PCs out there soon. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more…
Image Source: Engadget Related Posts: HP Slate, Fusion Garage JooJoo and ICD Gemini as iPad Alternatives iPad Vs Netbook – Part 1 iPad Alternatives – Netbook Tablet PC Hybrids iPad Alternatives – The Archos 9 PC Tablet
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Awesome tablet. If this lives up to this list of features it’s going to rock. Far more extensive than the iPad. Android as an operating system will be important though to get the most out of it and also if their app store develops enough to compete with iTunes.