Slashdot Mirror

Google X is back! Yes!

I want them to bring back GoogleX

Originaly over at Google Labs GoogleX page it got mirrored over at Tech Info Blog who has it in all its glory.

I want to see that one put into place. New changes are rather ... Um ... new.

Next they need to add Thumbnails. Besides they have the power to take a pretty little picture. Heavily optomize it. Have a cookie setting to turn it off and they will be instantly accused of copying of copying ASK.com.

Considering that the interface hasn't changed in a long time this might be fun.

It'll be interesting to see if Apple actually sues. This is a small-time outfit (total sales: 0, projected sales: 100... or maybe 0), so maybe Apple won't care.

On the other hand, if Apple does think about litigation, they have a very solid case. First off, copyright infringement. The guys have replicated text from the Apple site without even changing it, and have copied graphics too:
Apple
iTab

In terms of trademark, they are pretty clearly infringing. The use of the "iThing" naming scheme, in relation to computer devices (and specifically Apple/Mac computers!) is pretty clearly trademarked by Apple. I think a very legitimate case could be made for saying that consumers will be confused. For instance, the iTab people even claim, in the specs "Product Family: iTab" ... as if it is officialy sanctioned by Apple. Slashdotters can tell the difference, but what about the population at large?

AFAIK it's legal to buy hardware, modify it, and resell it to someone else. They have not signed any contracts will Apple, and are buying the hardware at the retail price. However, it does seem that they are trying to act like a business, buying and selling in large quantities (they claim 100). I'm curious to know whether or not this is okay (if they resolved the trademark/copyright issues mentioned above).

Overall, this thing is such insane vaporware that we'll probably never see anything come of it. I can understand that they want to build them only as they are requested, but to not even have built a SINGLE ONE? That's crazy! How about you build one, sell it, and then start building the next? Who would actually buy the first one, without any guarantee that these guys know what they are doing?

Dream Computer Order Form

And LOL @ Note: Almost any peice you can find anywhere else on the web we can incorporate in your computer.

What about this?

Even better, check out "Sam's Custom Built Computers". It's as vaporous as the iTab. But you can "Rock your next lan party".

Why do I feel like I'm looking at Something Awful's Awful Link of the Day?

-h-

Some remarks:

• The concept: Take a 12" iBook, flip the display onto its back, attach a Keytec USB touchpanel on top and fix it all together. No further hardware modifications, of course you will not be able to use the keyboard or trackpad afterwards, and one USB port is already used by the touchscreen.
• None of these have ever been build. From their site: "The iTab is not built yet. We will build them as they are sold." If they intend to sell 100 of them, shouldn't they at least build one prototype? All they have are some photoshopped mockups.
• Obviously Apples warranty will no longer apply. They will give you no guarantee either. Even more: "We will not fix any broken iTabs." Great service. Should you buy it and it never works, just throw it away. But of course this will never happen, because "we will do extensive tests on the iBook before modifying to catch any problems with it. Any problems with a computer are usually immediately visible after these tests. So the chance of your iTab breaking after purchase is lower." Exactly. The whole warranty stuff is overrated, vendor tested hardware almost never fails.
• Handwriting does not work. "The touchscreen technology used in iTab is not compatible with InkWell, Apple's handwriting recognition technology". Your only option is to purchase a third party virtual keyboard product.
• The vendor has a 14 feedbacks from buyers at ebay, five of them since 09/2005, most of which where books about tennis, none hardware.

Don't touch it

Auction on ebay
iTab homepage (already slashdotted)

Chriss

--
memomo.net - brush up your German, French, Spanish or Italian - online and free

I would keep the Windows copy for compatibility reasons. Though, you could get some good PR by suing MS..................
Here is a review of the Linux I think you should use.
Good luck, Sam Krupa

Here is a fully functional mirror of Google X:
http://www.theplaceforitall.com/googlex/

http://www.theplaceforitall.com/2005/03/report-on- gmails-basic-html-view.html