CrunchPad dead? Delayed by higher-than-expected costs?

http://www.businessinsider.com/are-rising-costs-killing-the-crunchpad-2009-11

by fromedome • 17 years ago

15 14 17 years ago

"And if it's going to cost $600 or $700 for a CrunchPad, which only supports Web surfing, it's going to be tricky to compete with better devices from tech giants that cost just a few hundred dollars more. (For instance, the forthcoming Apple tablet, which could cost less than $1,000.)"

Wow, they're speculating on a potential price, and then proceed to denounce said price based on a speculation of a price of a product that has yet to be announced?

maudineormsby• 17 years ago

Too bad. I, and many others, would love one of these.

I am confused that they didn't use a cheaper, more power efficient processor in this, but I guess when you want to be able to play back flash video, you're stuck.

vicaya• 17 years ago

Unlikely. Michael spoke before a small group of people less than a month ago, when I asked about CrunchPad. He said that it's coming along and that "Atom sucks." So, he's probably waiting for Chrome OS running on the new ARM processor (Cortex A9?) He mentioned that he has sunk $1M+ TC money in the project.

I'd love a bookpad that has two screens that fold together like a book. One screen is LCD that can serve as keyboard/(multi)touchpad/video screen and the other e-ink screen for reading books.

goodkarma• 17 years ago

Glad to hear that the rumors in this article might be unfounded. I was hoping to get one of these in time for the holidays, guess I'll have to wait till next year..

ErrantX2• 17 years ago

That is actually the worst news I've heard about it. :(

Waiting for Chome OS? A risk if the rumors of the Apple Tablet are true.

$1M+TC money.. but how MUCH TC money - and still no product; that's a worry.

Essentially he's saying I've spent more than $1M on technology that I don't want to use anymore and I am waiting for Google "vapour ware" to materialise to use on the new one.

alaskamiller• 17 years ago

$1M+ to me means one million and more.

david927• 17 years ago

I'd love a bookpad that has two screens that fold together like a book. One screen is LCD that can serve as keyboard/(multi)touchpad/video screen and the other e-ink screen for reading books.

That's brilliant. The right-side touch, left-side color Kindle? Wicked!

Microsoft's Courier folds like a book and looks pretty cool: http://gizmodo.com/5381011/microsoft-couriers-swipes-snips-a...

petesalty2• 17 years ago

I have no idea wether the cost is holding this back but I've always been doubtful about this "pad" format for devices - it just doesn't seem like good design.

- It's too big to be operated with two thumbs (i.e. Blackberry and iPhone)

- It lacks a physical keyboard so I suspect that typing anything isn't going to be a positive experience.

- It lays flat which isn't a good viewing angle, which means that I will need a stand (unless it has one built in - don't know),

- I suspect it's too heavy to hold up like a Kindle.

Maybe I'm wrong about these things but it seems like a lot to pull off and I don't think the TC guys are the ones to do it. Now, Apple might be a different case, we'll have to wait and see.

astine2• 17 years ago

I doubt that it's too heavy to hold up as that would defeat the purpose. I imagine that a device like this would be more pleasant to keep in your lap as you browse the Internet or such then a traditional laptop. Plus, you could always mount it on a mechanical arm or on the wall. I can imagine having such a device hanging in my kitchen, so I could check my email, or look up recipes while cooking.

petesalty2• 17 years ago

With it in your lap, flat, your head tilts down, bending the neck. This puts strain on the muscles at the base of the neck, which tires them. The muscles under the shoulder blades will then step in to try and compensate, tiring them, etc., etc. This is why it's uncomfortable to to read, sitting up, with a book lying flat on your lap. With a laptop the screen juts up at an angle from the lap (~45 degrees) which allows you to look at the screen longer without becoming tired (less neck strain). Of course if you're just half propped up on the couch this might not be the case. Admittedly it's probably harder to accidentally knock this off your lap while reaching for your coffee/beer/whatever.

I could see it on the wall, but if it's for mounting, why worry about making it light? You can save on material costs by going heavier.

noonespecial• 17 years ago

Its probably the same old "made in china" story most people face trying to get stuff built there. They'll promise you a rocket ship to the moon for $20 the first day, but the more you invest yourself in the project, the more the price will go up.

At a company I worked for once, we called it "the ransom". This was the extra money the supplier would demand at the very end for "unforeseen costs" to release your completed units.

In china, the signed contract is just the beginning of negotiations. You're not done until the completed devices are in your warehouse in the US.

steve_mobs• 17 years ago

I actually think the crunchpad will fail, but the only cool thing about it is the possibility of a launch party. The valley needs more parties in general.

CrunchPad dead? Delayed by higher-than-expected costs?

Related Stories