APC, $49 Android computer, now accepting pre-orders
apc.io
apc.io
Is there something about Android 4.0 that makes it difficult to work with from a hardware perspective?
Every component on this thing is bargain basement, so you use whatever driver the maker of the SoC core supplied. They are also bargain basement so have used whatever driver the GPU maker supplied.
So you are really using components that were 'new' a couple of years ago. The makers of this would have to put considerable time/money into making 4.0 drivers for components that are supplied through a chain of subcontractors none of who have the technical ability to help.
It is one of the big ironies of opensource Android that in a way it's a lot less open than a regular PC.
I've never really seen a clear answer. Whatever the Cyanogen Mod team is up to, it must be damned tricky.
Typically for lower end parts the makers implemented the simplest cheapest thing they could get away with - so buggy limited and out of date drivers - and they have bought in modules from others, so nobody has the complete specs.
For better system the code in the SoC (and GPU especially) is what distinguishes it from other models and competitors so they are very careful about who they give details out to. Otherwise you could buy their $1 SoC and turn on the features in the $5 part.
If you are a Samsung or an Apple you can control the supply chain better and insist on having the info and compliant drivers - but most of these are aimed at mobile phone makers who rely on you having to buy a new model every 18months rather than doing updates.
Cyanogen etc do a very good job of custom kernels but they can rarely insert a much newer driver into an older chipset.
I am curious about the user experience of this product. I am excited to see such a cheap PC, I have never been impressed by the usage of mouse/keyboard as inputs for Android. Android-x86 was a pain to use, and not only because it was buggy.
* Google TV/Android 3.0 instead of Android 2.3
* Access to Google Play market, which this doesn't have
* 802.11b/g/n wifi, which this doesn't have
* A really nice wireless keyboard+touchpad controller
* Essentially identical power profile
* Logitech Harmony software built in; it can control just about every TV, receiver, DVD player, etc. in existence
I'm confused by this. Is it a "VIA processor" or an ARM processor, made by VIA? I hope they didn't change the CPU mid-way with one of their own.
Edit: In their PR they say it's a "VIA WonderMedia ARM 11 SoC".
This entire machine is made by VIA who also make the CPU. VIA are more famous for making low power x86 clones but that's nothing to do with this.
But since you can buy 7" resistive tablets for <$70 inc shipping from all the online chinese stores this shouldn't be too difficult to bring in a screen and battery-less device at this price.
For a $100 with no shipping cost you can get something with an A9.
http://dx.com/p/google-android-4-0-hdmi-tv-box-w-4gb-wifi-rj...
I tried peordering just after I got the email but they were already out of stock supposedly.
APC, paired with a small touchscreen would be very useful in many situations.
There you go.
[1] consumes 4 watts when operating at idle power and 13.5 watts at maximum load.
Based on the description, I don't think it comes with a case:
"APC integrates memory, storage, and a full set of consumer I/O features in a small footprint Neo-ITX motherboard that can be connected to a TV or monitor."
"APC includes the system (with O/S) and a 13.5W, 9V/1.5A power adaptor. Case is not included."
There are a lot of TV shows being watched on iPads because hooking up the big screen TV to a computer is too much effort / inconvenient for 'normal' people.
The product was a commercial failure. Logitech discontinued it last year. It's still available in some stores and online but once the stock is gone, it's gone.
But having seen what Netflix Canada offers I'm not too bothered!
But it's why an opensource solution is the only thing that would work. Netflix aren't going to have good Youtube support and Amazon aren't going to do a good job of Netflix, neither will do the BBC. And when some online service marginally changes its system - a cheap HW maker like Logitech isn't going to put effort into an update.
Also it's still not $99, it's going for $150 new http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Companion-Google-Keyboard-Con...
It was also $99 at Best Buy. It wasn't successful at that price either. Today's iPhone sales aren't determined by its initial pricing in 2007.
> Also it's still not $99, it's going for $150
That's a 3rd party seller listing because Amazon is sold out. Amazon has it refurbished for $99, which is probably just old stock stores sent back to Logitech, which they sent back out for sale with "Now with Android 3.0" stickers added to the boxes.
Even if it's not, it's essentially the same price as pre-ordering this mystery box, yet comes with and does much more.
More proof here that Logitech didn't get that ~$300 was too high a price point for something like this http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/logitechs-disappointing-q...
The Logitech Revue never retailed at $99 like you are trying to pass off as being true, sure now that they are discontinued you can find them refurbished on Amazon at that price but it's not the same thing and doesn't rebut the OPs point.
The Revue retailed for $99 new for almost a year, since mid 2011, until stores ran out of stock. Here's the announcement direct from Logitech's VP, Digital Home Group, about the retail price drop to $99 at all stores:
http://blog.logitech.com/2011/07/31/logitech-revue-now-99/
Best Buy carried it at $299, $249, $129, and $99 all in new condition. The $99 price was in early 2011, raised to $129 in November 2011, and dropped back to $99 before going out of stock. You can find these price points in Google through mentions on sites like Slickdeals that tracked the price drops.
Sears carried it for $99. Newegg carried it for $99. I'm sure other stores did too. You can still buy it new for $99 from TigerDirect.
Next time you feel compelled to call someone out as a liar, be damned sure you're actually right about it.
Come on guys, get serious.