The ambitious Android tablet option Google tossed away

computerworld.com

I have an Android tablet. It's a Kindle HD8, bought on special for CAD$80 and "de-Amazonified" with a tool from xda-developers. It's maybe 1/10th as good as a high-end iPad at 1/15th the price. And that's just fine with me. It does what I want it to do. Runs Android apps on a bigger screen, lets me catch up on news and email before getting out of bed in the morning. Done. Not everything has to have grand ambitions.

What a jarring read.

After 20 paragraphs and the 3 ads that made it past ublock, the article comes to it's titular point that Google bought a company in 2010 which had designed a UI based on a physical desk.

The video of the UI is incredibly uncompelling and reminds me of Microsoft Bob.

I remember playing with that UI at the time Google acquired them, and looking back I'd like to have been a fly on the wall for that decision - maybe just a patent grab, but I was definitely hoping they'd surprise.

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