$399 K-12 tablet computer: E-book possibilities?
A new tablet computer, priced at $399-$599 for education-related users, might be just the ticket for reading e-books–at least if the screen res were a little better.
The Nova5000 from Fourier Systems comes with a touch-sensitive 7.5-inch color LCD screen and USB ports and uses Windows CE.NET 5.0. Mobipocket or the forthcoming OpenReader could probably run on it. I haven’t tried a Nova5000, but from afar, it sure looks interesting. Alas, screen resolution is only 640×480. Based on a photo I saw in the p-version of eSchool News, however, the display is sharper than the photo here suggests. I wonder if it can use anti-aliasing and other tricks.
On the positive side, this machine can surf the Web with Internet Explorer and includes Windows Media Player and WordPad, with Word and Excel as options.
The Nova5000 also comes with an ethernet port, a PS/2 port for an external keyboard, and a CompactFlash socket for a WiFi card or memory expansion (I don’t know what the upper limit is). Students can even use infrared to swap data with each other and teachers. On top of that, the styling is kid-friendly, and the battery is supposed to last for an entire school day, with a low-power Intel XScale processor. Dimensions are 9.7″x 5″x 1.2″; weight, a mere 1.8 pounds.
For years I’ve been sold on the idea of each student having a computer, and this looks a very attractive alternative to far-more-expensive laptops. At that price I could even live with the lack of a higher-res screen. I’d really like to see one of these things in person; the view is probably still better than on the old Gemstar machines.
Hey, Fourier, care to do a consumer version of the Nova5000 and give us better screen res when LCD prices drop? And how about the library market? Just how low could you drive down the price if the demand were great enough?
Details: Hasn’t Microsoft talked about a tablet that would be between a PDA and a tablet in size and price? The Nova5000 could be an interesting starting point. Might it be, in fact, a stalking horse for the real thing? I doubt that. Still, if I were Microsoft, I’d keep an eye on the reception that the Nova5000 gets. What’s more, I’d be curious to know how Casey Bisson and other Pepper Pad fans feel. I suspect they would still go for the Pepper–despite the $800 price–because of its use of Linux. But maybe I’m wrong.
Related: District Administration article on K-12 handhelds., as well as an item in the Ed Tech blog.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:12 am
Re: USB Ports
If WM5 supports USB Flash drives (Thumb Drives) such as Sandisk’s Secure Cruzer Freedom, then this device has a chance. The thumb drive is designed as being a digital backpack. I believe this is the device that AZ is using in their pilot program of digital text books. That way the material is tied to the portable drive and can be used on various PCs and other computing devices that support usb drives (This should appease the DRM Gods).
I truly believe that software should already be developed prior to the reveal of a new device. Mobipocket or ereader should already be on the device. I remember buying the Ebookman 901 because it said that MS Reader was coming soon. I am still waiting… Vaporware, promising of things to come, hoping for things to come can be quite frustrating to even seasoned tech folks. For the general public is creates distrust and rejection of technology.
October 13th, 2005 at 11:38 am
Hello, Ellen. Yes, let’s hope that the Nova doesn’t break hearts the way the eBookman did. – David
October 13th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
[...] Today comes word that the Fourier Systems Nova5000, a tablet with a seven-inch screen, is available for $399. There are distinct differences in approach/design — the Nova5000 runs Windows CE 5.0, has a 640×480 screen and weighs 1.8 pounds — but people are happy with 100-ppi resolution on laptops and some will find they want that phsically bigger screen. [...]
October 13th, 2005 at 5:00 pm
[...] Coming Soon: $399 tablet for education When it comes to putting computers in the classroom as a tool for learning, literacy, and replacing textbooks, schools have a number of options including desktops, laptops, PDAs, AlphaSmart devices, and $1,600 tablet computers, which are often cost prohibitive in times of tight budgets. Fournier Systems will be releasing a more affordable option soon – a tablet running Windows CE.NET 5.0 targeted at the classroom. It isn’t the $100 laptop that Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts wants to buy for the state’s 500,000 students, but it’s more affordable than many of the other options currently available. The ruggedized $399 Nova5000 tablet is being touted as a "Next Generation Student Learning Appliance" that offers a 7.5 inch 640X480 color touch screen in a 9.7”x 5”x 1.2” package weighing 1.8 pounds. Nova5000 is designed to meet the primary computing needs of students. This includes standard needs such as: Internet access, word processing, spreadsheets, and email. In addition, the Nova5000 offers a complete measuring platform to enhance learning of science and mathematics in the classroom, outdoors and at home. Nova5000 combines the MultiLab multimedia data analysis software that includes graphical manipulations, multiple analysis functions and Lab report direct printing capabilities. By integrating the Fourier data logger into the Nova5000, Fourier offers both an ultra-low TCO computer and a powerful data logger. Bundled software includes CE.NET versions of Internet Explorer, WordPad, Windows Media Player, ActiveSync, MultiLab. Microsoft Word and Excel compatible software is available as an option. Several sensor are available that work with the MultiLab data logging software, making the Nova5000 a powerful tool for science and math projects in the classroom and in the field. Add a good e-book reading application and the Nova5000 would make a great e-book reading device. Related: Experiment how Tablet PC could replace school textbooks [via TeleRead] __________________ Reading: Revolution in the Valley Listening: The World is Flat [...]
October 14th, 2005 at 6:05 am
Mobipocket already made several projects for TabletPC and educational-users.
Hopefully, they will port their reader on this device.
Last time I tried ereader, it took 4 minutes to change the font size !!!!
October 15th, 2005 at 6:28 am
That’s interesting information about Mobipocket, Laura. Care to provide some URLs? My sympathy over the font changing delay. Thanks. David
October 16th, 2005 at 2:43 pm
I do not have URLs, but I know they worked on the Simpad, and other tablet-pc projects.
They also made some ebooks for the “electronic schoolbag” project, in France.
October 16th, 2005 at 5:32 pm
Thanks, Laura. Further specifics welcome if you think of them. – David