Kno Textbook Tablet, Based on Ubuntu, Ain't no iPad
As we noted earlier this week, next week the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off in Las Vegas, and it promises to be loaded with new tablet devices--many of them based on Android--seeking to compete with Apple's iPad. There aren't many peopie betting on Ubuntu-based tablets to make a big splash at the show, but there are some interesting Ubuntu tablets in development. Perhaps the most interesting one, with a renegade approach to the tablet market, is the Kno Textbook Tablet.
"Almost every new tablet that has emerged in the iPad-dominated market has essentially been a direct competitor to the iPad, offering little, if any, basic usability advantages. It is for that reason that the Kno tablet stands out from the crowd. This tablet is being marketed to schools that are tired of dealing with the yearly fiasco of selling, renting, or even giving away textbooks. For many schools (both K-12 and higher education), the long-term savings and technological advantage may far outweigh the initial cost of the device."
Indeed, the Kno Textbook Tablet may be interesting for school systems. Check out its dual-screen appeal here:
The Kno Textbook Tablet is based on Ubuntu and the open source WebKit browsing engine. It has a 14.1-inch display, which is larger than the iPad's or the Samsung Galaxy Tab's, and comes in 16GB or 32GB (flash memory) versions. It does video playback, including Flash, and is customized for note taking. In fact, note taking with a pen is its primary interface approach, which makes it very different from the iPad.
Perhaps the most interesting part about this tablet, though, is that anyone can participate in its development. There is already a waitlist for the tablet, and it is based on a more interesting open development model than other tablets are. This is one to watch.
Photo Credit: TechGear GR