Always Innovating outs Smart Book modular netbook

After releasing its modular Touch Book back in July of 2009, Always Innovating is now working on its follow-up, the Smart Book. At first glance, the two look very much alike, but the Smart Book houses a smartphone-like device that can be used for making VoIP phone and conference calls thanks to a front-facing camera or surfing the web, though the latter hasn't been confirmed. This device can then be docked inside the screen portion, which then acts as a tablet.

Also, the tablet plugs into a keyboard portion, like in the original Touch Book, for a netbook-like experience. The keyboard portion houses a USB to HDMI adapter along with a pocket for storing a USB dongle. The capacitive touchscreen is a familiar 8.9-inch, 1024x600 model.

The Smart Book is powered by an ARM Cortex-A8 CPU though clock speeds aren't revealed. A custom user interface comes standard, though it can run on Ubuntu Linux or else Google's Chromium or Android. An 8GB microSDHC memory card is bundled for storage, as is a 2GB USB flash drive. Otherwise present is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and the capability to output 720p videos onto external displays. Four USB ports exist on the main body, and the tablet portion has an integrated accelerometer.

Three batteries power each piece, with a 12,000mAh unit in the keyboard, a 6,000mAh power pack in the tablet and a 1,500mAh unit in the handset. The entire package weighs three pounds.

Pre-orders are now being taken, with the package priced at $549 or each component costing $200. [via Liliputing]

By Electronista Staff