How does the ICD Vega compare to the Apple iPad and other Tablet PCs?
We’re continuing our series of articles on alternative tablet PC options to the Apple iPad so this week on whattabletpc.com we move onto the ICD Vega.
What is the ICD Vega Tablet PC?
The ICD Vega tablet PC has yet to launch but just like the ICD Gemini from the same stable of tablets, it has a very impressive spec list. The big difference between the ICD Vega and other tablets though is the huge format at over 15-inches of screen. The value here is you could conceivably have numerous applications at once and easily flip between them whilst still viewing those you’re not using in the background. Despite the huge screen though it’s still only 16mm thick so comparable to other tablet PC devices.
According to a press-release announcing a partnership with T-mobile UK, the device is designed to sit primarily in the kitchen and offer a household calendar application for organising and keeping tabs on the whole family… more about that later. Outside of this other uses stated are web browsing, on-demand TV, access to social networks, video chat and games.
Google Android 2.0 Éclair is operating system utilised – this is the Android operating system originally designed for smart-phones but with a few modifications from ICD to enhance the experience. Although the Android operating system was originally designed for phones, it has evolved at-a-pace to a true mobile OS.
Who are ICD?
Innovative Convergent Devices are a Seattle-based company specialising in tablet PC devices. Apart from the ICD Vega, they have the ICD Ultra and are working on the ICD Gemini. They’ve also got other products such as wireless photo frames and cover a range of digital media devices and accessories.
What’s the ICD Vega Tablet PC design and screen like?
Huge. At 15.6-inches this will the largest tablet PC we’ve seen so far. That’s great from a screen real-estate point of view and far more in-line with a standard lap-top size (albeit in a thinner tablet format at just 16mm thick) but what you benefit here you’ll give up in portability. As above multiple applications become very interesting on this size of screen and clearly high-definition video is only going to look better at that size so will be a focus of this one. The sheer size of this tablet PC also means it comes with a pretty hefty magnetic docking station for powering up. Apparently there will also be a docking station with integrated speakers to give a extra bit of power to the sound output.
What are the key features of the ICD Vega Tablet PC?
The ICD Vega tablet PC is driven by an NVIDIA Tegra – this is a high-powered combination processor and graphics chip (512MB RAM). On top of this, it has 32GB internal storage drive but with additional storage possible through adding a micro SD via the slot provided.
Other features roll out as follows:
- Cellular capability – we’ll come to the 3G and Wi-Fi shortly but you can even make phone calls and text message on this tablet PC if you have a cellular carrier agreement. Voice calls would be made via speaker phone or via a Bluetooth headset. There have been some interesting applications for this kind of functionality such as a large family calendar application that can text everyone giving reminders or whereabouts and new texts can pop up on the screen so whoever is looking at it back at the home base can see what everyone is up to.
- Accelerometer – Just like the iPad, this tablet will format the screen depending on the orientation it is held by so you can flip it between portrait and landscape modes
- 1.3-megapixel web cam – for video conferencing with services such as Skype.
- Micro SD – for additional primary storage
- Bluetooth 2.1 – wireless syncing with other devices
- USB port – for plugging in peripheral devices such as printers or USB sticks to get files on and off the device. You can’t do this on the iPad but then again, just the one USB port on this tablet PC is a bit limiting – e.g. you couldn’t attach a printer if you were already had your USB stick or external keyboard taking up the slot
- Audio Jack – 3.5mm
- FM Radio – replacing the kitchen radio apparently?
- Stereo speakers
- Dual digital microphones – just like the ICD Gemini, these pick up ambient noise so much better than the single mic the iPad has.
How do I browse the internet on the ICD Vega?
- 3G/Wi-Fi – 3G means you can use the device to connect to the internet when you’re out and about and don’t have access to a Wi-Fi network. When you do have access to a Wi-Fi network you can switch to enable the Wi-Fi and get faster browsing speeds.
- Web Browser – There’s a regular browser on the Vega and we assume as the device is effectively “open”, you’ll have the flexibility to download other browsers also – Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome etc. should all be available.
- Adobe Flash – the Flash technology which is used for video playback, animation and games is supported on this device so just like the Gemini and Notion Ink Adam you’ll have access to the complete web – something the iPad doesn’t have – although there are reasons for this such as the drain on the battery and somewhat buggy nature of Flash.
What about watching video on the ICD Vega Tablet PC?
- Resolution – 1366 x 768 screen is a comparable resolution to the ICD Gemini so HD Ready with the Tegra 2 chipset capable of outputting full 1080p high-definition video
- HDMI – so you can buy a HDMI lead and hook the device up to your HD Ready TV or HD projector to watch the output on the big screen.
What are the other features of the ICD Vega?
The apps that are being developed around this tablet PC are interesting, particularly the stated use of sitting the Vega in the kitchen and using it as a calendar/personal organiser for the whole family. You can imagine being able to see a calendar so mum or dad knows where everyone is, everyone can log in from their mobiles to see what each other are up to, the SMS capabilities mean a text could be sent to each family member on reminders and video/cellular calls could be made via the speaker phone. If you take this further, you potentially have apps that tell you what you could cook with what you have in the fridge and the stereo speakers and FM radio provide the back drop. Add internet radio and ability to stream video and it would be a very useful device. We’re not sure on some of the practicalities here though, it’s likely to need regular cleaning in the kitchen and who’s going to be willing to take out a long-term contract with a cellular provider on top of their existing mobile phone plans? All this is speculation at the moment though, once we see this in action, we’ll be able to assess it.
Battery life is expected to only be 4 hours on a single charge, which is relative low compared to other tablet PCs (iPad is up to 10 hours) again highlighting the lack of mobility of this device. It appears to be designed to move around the house but that big screen format, docking station for charging and short battery time won’t be great for taking out and about.
What is the ICD Vega price?
The price of the ICD Vega when it hits the market has yet to be disclosed but it has been reported that it will be “low cost” and speculation is this means subsidised by major carriers and specifically T-mobile in the UK.
What is the ICD Vega release date?
ICD announced a partnership with T-mobile UK to release the device in the UK in November 2010. No pricing plans or release dates elsewhere have been suggested yet.
Conclusion
Just like the ICD Gemini, the ICD Vega looks impressive on paper, the trick will be if this comes to life in reality. The 15-inch screen size will be great for having multiple windows open at once, running multiple applications and watching video but lets face it, this means the device is pretty much as portable as a laptop. Although it’s a bit thinner, you’d probably welcome the greater processing power of a laptop with physical keyboard. The kitchen organiser idea is interesting but in reality, it’s going to be very expensive compared to a paper calendar on the fridge. That said, we won’t know all of this for certain until it launches and get to play with it so watch this space once that happens.
Image Source: Engadget
Related Posts:
iPad Alternatives – Notion Ink Adam Tablet PC Overview
iPad alternatives – Fusion Garage JooJoo Tablet PC Review Round Up
iPad Alternatives – ICD Gemini Tablet PC Overview
iPad Alternatives – Netbook Tablet PC Hybrids
iPad Alternatives – The Archos 9 PC Tablet
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The Vega is a big 15-inch slab so not an alternative to the iPad. Its not as mobile and not sure what t-mobile are expecting here as nobodys going to pay that sort of money for a personal organiser that sits in your kitchen. It looks like this is something you’d see in a futuristic movie where everyone has a computer/slate in each room and flicks between them but the cost will stop that from happening now.