07-28-2021, 03:55 AM
There was some previous discussion about this here: https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=12826
To be a viable replacement for these devices, it will also need to be open source hardware (which I don't believe this device will be). If you're considering closed-source tablets that can run Linux, then the competitors for this device are significantly more. If the OS is not also entirely open source, then it is essentially competing with all Android devices too.
People keep jumping up and down about how great it is, but I'm still waiting to see these devices in the hands of backers. I want to see the reviews from ordinary people - as they tend to be the harshest critics.
For sure the Pinetab desperately needs a hardware upgrade. The big-little configuration seems to be quite a successful one and I hope Pine products can make use of this in the future.
I still hold my reservations about this device: https://en.jingos.com/jingpad-a1/
Some things that still seem strange to me:
* The name 'A1' appears to be them selling on the recent 'M1' hype in the Apple product line. Their inspiration from the Apple product line is hardly hidden either '[..] which is inspired by the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPads.'.
* They appear to be building an Apple iPad competitor on a shoestring budget. It's not impossible, but it's a hell of an ask when you consider they have to pay their hardware and software engineers to build this thing behind closed doors, in under a year and initially without any community help.
* They have funded the product on IndieGoGo under 'flexible funding', for a really low goal amount: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jingp...nux-tablet For such a ridiculously ambitious project the low funding goal raises alarms. The conditions of the funding means they don't have to even deliver a device.
* The display is an 11 inch 2K amoled touchscreen - which they're aiming to ship with during a massive display shortage. They are already on track to miss their original July 2021 production target. That's not to mention any chip shortages either. Even something as mundane as a gyro held the Pinetime production back for a little while, and that's a super simple device in comparison.
* Most of their major time table goals on their crowdfunding campaign are PR related - when there are literally tonnes of technical goals internally that need to be achieved.
I'm sure if I keep scratching I will find other issues too.
I think it will be great if this device ships and delivers all of the things they suggest it will, I'm just reserving some healthy scepticism for a new player to enter the game last minute and promise better performance than everybody else in the market.
What I'm concerned about is that tonnes of people will want to buy into this product line with unmanaged expectations, when even achieving just one of their goals in only a year is a massive undertaking. They are promising a new hardware platform, new OS and new app platform. What I suspect will happen is that customers will receive a half-baked product with hardware and software issues, the 'Jing Team' will provide only some limited support and then rely on the open source community to fix everything.
I'm happy to be proven wrong though and look forward to the result in any case.
(07-28-2021, 01:09 AM)as400 Wrote: Pinebook Pro/Pinetab replacement
To be a viable replacement for these devices, it will also need to be open source hardware (which I don't believe this device will be). If you're considering closed-source tablets that can run Linux, then the competitors for this device are significantly more. If the OS is not also entirely open source, then it is essentially competing with all Android devices too.
(07-28-2021, 01:09 AM)as400 Wrote: This product seems great. Also the UI of the OS looks very good.
People keep jumping up and down about how great it is, but I'm still waiting to see these devices in the hands of backers. I want to see the reviews from ordinary people - as they tend to be the harshest critics.
(07-28-2021, 01:09 AM)as400 Wrote: Although the specs on the product page are wrong. It's actually 2 x A75 plus 6 x A55.
For sure the Pinetab desperately needs a hardware upgrade. The big-little configuration seems to be quite a successful one and I hope Pine products can make use of this in the future.
(07-28-2021, 01:09 AM)as400 Wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6TE2nZz3M
I still hold my reservations about this device: https://en.jingos.com/jingpad-a1/
Some things that still seem strange to me:
* The name 'A1' appears to be them selling on the recent 'M1' hype in the Apple product line. Their inspiration from the Apple product line is hardly hidden either '[..] which is inspired by the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPads.'.
* They appear to be building an Apple iPad competitor on a shoestring budget. It's not impossible, but it's a hell of an ask when you consider they have to pay their hardware and software engineers to build this thing behind closed doors, in under a year and initially without any community help.
* They have funded the product on IndieGoGo under 'flexible funding', for a really low goal amount: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jingp...nux-tablet For such a ridiculously ambitious project the low funding goal raises alarms. The conditions of the funding means they don't have to even deliver a device.
* The display is an 11 inch 2K amoled touchscreen - which they're aiming to ship with during a massive display shortage. They are already on track to miss their original July 2021 production target. That's not to mention any chip shortages either. Even something as mundane as a gyro held the Pinetime production back for a little while, and that's a super simple device in comparison.
* Most of their major time table goals on their crowdfunding campaign are PR related - when there are literally tonnes of technical goals internally that need to be achieved.
I'm sure if I keep scratching I will find other issues too.
I think it will be great if this device ships and delivers all of the things they suggest it will, I'm just reserving some healthy scepticism for a new player to enter the game last minute and promise better performance than everybody else in the market.
What I'm concerned about is that tonnes of people will want to buy into this product line with unmanaged expectations, when even achieving just one of their goals in only a year is a massive undertaking. They are promising a new hardware platform, new OS and new app platform. What I suspect will happen is that customers will receive a half-baked product with hardware and software issues, the 'Jing Team' will provide only some limited support and then rely on the open source community to fix everything.
I'm happy to be proven wrong though and look forward to the result in any case.