Sharp readies NetWalker PC-T1 handheld with Ubuntu
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Mon April 19, 2010
Sharp outs Netwalker PC-T1 tablet with Ubuntu
Sharp has unveiled its latest Ubuntu-powered NetWalker portable computer in Japan on Monday, this one called the PC-T1 and taking on the tablet form factor. It replaces the PC-Z1, which had a netbook design with a hardware QWERTY keyboard. Text input in the new device is via handwriting recognition and a virtual QWERTY keyboard, though a Bluetooth keyboard can also be connected.
The device retains the 5-inch touchscreen with a 1024x600 resolution and LED backlighting. Processing power comes from an 800MHz ARM Freescale i.MX515 CPU, and there is 512MB of RAM along with 8GB of flash memory. There is also a USB port, miniUSB for charging, a microSDHC memory card slot, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1.
The Ubuntu 9.04 OS is overlaid with a custom Sharp interface. Preloaded apps include FireFox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice. The device will read XMDF format books, with 101 e-books pre-installed.
The tablet weighs about 0.6lbs and its removable battery is rated at six hours of life. A stylus is included, and the PC-T1 can be had in silver or black.
The PC-T1 will cost the equivalent of about $500 when it launches in Japan in May. There is no word on its arrival in the US. [via Impress]
