The name of the game right now is tablet. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, you can't avoid tablets. And I don't think I have to tell you that Apple is the company to beat. While other tablets out there have been dubbed contenders (JooJoo, WePad, etc.), they just don't have the brand recognition nor following that has made Apple's iPad a phenomenon spanning technology buffs and grandmothers alike.
But rest assured, where there's a Goliath, there generally seems to be a David nearby looking for a fight. Innovative Converged Devices (ICD), a UK based company, may be looking to challenge Apple with the introduction of their newest tablet, the ICD Gemini. The Gemini comes sporting a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, an 11.2 inch multi-touch capable touchscreen (and it looks like you'll have the option between resistive or capacitive touch), Android OS, 512 DDR RAM (I would have hoped for 1GB or more), and support for up to 32GB of SD removable memory. The Gemini, unlike the iPad, supports the ability to make calls on the cellular network (though it doesn't say which network - I'm guessing it's GSM) and is also 3G, SMS, MMS, 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and FM Radio ready (phew, that's a lot for one tablet!). These are just a few of the features that enthusiasts have come to expect in a "killer" device, but don't worry - the list goes on (click here for the full comparative list of features).
According to a recent "hands-on" obtained by SlashGear, while the Gemini looks stellar on paper, great hardware is nothing without the software to back it up. Apparently, there is still much to be done before the software will be launch-ready, as was noted by numerous bugs during testing (this can be common for pre-launch devices). On a positive note, one of the more important features for consumers--web browsing--was said to be "blisteringly fast," and it doesn't hurt that it supports Flash. The Gemini is expected to come out sometime around August of 2010 in the UK with no carrier, specific date, or pricing listed. ICD has worked with T-Mobile in the past, so there's a solid chance that the Gemini will launch via Magenta this Summer.
I think I'll be waiting for an iPad/Gemini/WePad Dogfight before I go ahead and make my tablet purchase. Any takers? Feel free to leave your comments below!
