JooJoo - iPad alternative, runs crummy/limited Linux distro

[earthpigg]

this thing:

http://hackaday.com/2010/04/04/joojo...ets-torn-down/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JooJoo

video with default software:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/t...ere-seriously/

Ya, so. I actually think it isn't to bad, software aside. Which can be easily solved. I don't want to drop several hundred dollars on the possibility that i may be able to install maemo or android - or even a custom Ubuntu/Debian .iso that comes with virtual keyboard functionality and hardware support for this thing OOB.

what do you guys think of this thing?

and another question: why do companies feel the need to reinvent the software wheel when they release great new hardware?

-early eeePC's and modified xandros
-Dell and their needlessly modified Ubuntu (the infamous Dell update that bricked Dell Mini 9s...)
-the JooJoo guys
-etc

modify the distro (ubuntu, android, maemo, whateveR) juuuust enough that the software you pick works on your hardware, and leave it at that.

[MaxIBoy]

It's not supposed to be a "computer." It's an "appliance." The difference? "Appliances" are underpowered, but that's okay. Because it's not as if they're intended as real computers. I mean, it's not like you expect your washing machine to run Unigine Heaven, right? And this "appliance" is so much more versatile than your washing machine, and it costs less too! I'll take twelve!

Marketing a computer as an appliance is a dishonest practice akin to bring crutches to an amputee fight. (Okay, that was in poor taste, but still.) The iPad, and its ilk, were they marketed as actual computers, would of course be recognized as underpowered, impractical, overpriced, keyboard-less crap. I think this is exactly the reason why "pocket PCs" never went anywhere. So that's not how these devices are marketed anymore, and the UI suffers for it.

[earthpigg]

interesting, MaxIBoy. i hadn't thought of it that way before.

Anyways, I just e-mailed them...

Hi,

Are there any artificial barriers (EULA, warranty, etc) to replacing
the software that ships with it with software of my choosing?

What is the process by which a user can tell the joojoo to boot from
whatever is in the USB port, for example?

Regards,

Chris

i should probably have clarified that i'd be interested in knowing any other method of flashing the device, too.

edit: e-mail #2 from me...

Whoops: Any other method of flashing the device, aside from taking the
SSD out, plugging it into my computer, and dd'ing it?

Regards,

Chris

[Mr. Picklesworth]

Yep, I have about the same opinion. Nice bit of hardware, ugly software.

The most important issue, in my view, is the mystery meat navigation. Web designers learned this was a bad idea a long time ago. Here these guys are doing a web-centric device and they have a ton of screen space, yet they can't bring themselves to put labels on buttons so people can understand what they are going to do before pressing them.

I look forward to Meego and ChromeOS taking over this space

[earthpigg]

The most important issue, in my view, is the mystery meat navigation.

i didn't know there was a name for that. i just know i hate it.

in this case, it assumes the user has all of the various logos of the dozens of websites memorized.

[madjr]

hmm Android would be a beast on this pad

i hope chromeOS doesnt become as boring as the modified OS the joojoo has.

i dont think this will succeed

1st: this thing costs $500....

2nd: ChromeOS pads will cost $180 to $300

3rd: android is the only OS right now that is a "direct" competitor to iPad

4th: for $500 that's the least they could had included

5th: i might wait for a real Droid pad


ps. this pad was suppose to be the legendary CRUNCHPAD (years in the making before the ipad was even news)

it was going to be cheaper/better/cooler and ready like 6 months ago

too bad their partners were greedy as*h*les and screw everything up

[Tristam Green]

I'd *only* be interested in this thing if it could run Windows 7 Starter, or a *cough*comparable Linux distribution.

[madjr]

I'd *only* be interested in this thing if it could run Windows 7 Starter, or a *cough*comparable Linux distribution.

am not sure why u would want to run traditional desktop OSs like w7 or even normal ubuntu on these pads

everything has to be done with the fingers so it could lead to problems

[Paqman]

Marketing a computer as an appliance is a dishonest practice akin to bring crutches to an amputee fight.

I disagree. I think computing is becoming ubiquitous. All our appliances have microprocessors in them, and our TVs and even our books (!) are turning into computers too. The distinction is rapidly vanishing.

You're going to see a lot more appliance-like computers and computer-like appliances. That's just the way the tech is going.

[Tristam Green]

am not sure why u would want to run traditional desktop OSs like w7 or even normal ubuntu on these pads

everything has to be done with the fingers so it could lead to problems

I won't even get into the argument of why Ubuntu isn't a "traditional" desktop operating system, but I will say that Starter Edition certainly isn't. It's about as appliance as it gets for the 7 series. Perhaps you'd prefer if I said I would run Windows CE Embedded edition?