$200 TC Tablet

Yesterday, TechCrunch proposed a challenge to build a web tablet for $200.  The initial product specs are pretty simple.   The device needs to run Firefox and Skype.  The screen needs to be some sort of iPhone-like touch screen.  There must also be WiFi, a speaker, camera and microphone.

The basic idea is a device that can be used any time you are away from your main computer.  Since many people surf the web during much of this screen time, the TC Tablet will handle this quickly, from any WiFi location.  If all the software is open source (Linux, Firefox, etc) and customized by the open source community, all the cost is in the hardware.

Personally, I think this problem has been solved.  I can use my iPod Touch to do all the “quick computing” I need to do.  If I need to check my email, the Touch goes from “off” to “checking mail” in five seconds.  The Touch is also more portable.  It easily fits in my shirt pocket.  The battery lasts all day with constant use and three or four days if I use it periodically throughout the day.

I’m not sure how I would tote the TC Tablet around all day.  If I am going to carry something this big with me all the time, that screen better be sharp.  Although my Touch screen is small, it is high resolution.  I can easily read six point text on the Touch.  The big screen with multi-touch may be the demise of the TC Tablet.  I don’t know the prices of such hardware, but the screen alone might be too much of a factor in the bottom line cost of the TC Tablet.

If TechCrunch can pull this off for $200 it will be something to see.  It will take a dedicated effort from the open source community to make the software perfect.  For $200, it could be useful in a classroom setting.  E-books would look nice on a device of this size.