The talk of Toshiba’s IFA press conference was the Toshiba JournE Touch tablet. With all the chatter of an Apple Tablet in the works, it seems the Big T might have beaten Jobs and Co to the punch. So what’s it like? We’ve had a quick hold, so we can tell you.
The first thing to say about the JournE Touch is that it’s far from finished. The software on board is in pre-production, and those who have seen it in testing tell us the browser was unstable the last time they saw it. Still, Toshiba doesn’t plan to release the JournE Touch until the end of the year, so there’s still plenty of time to iron out the kinks.
Inside is an Arm processor, running Windows CE. While the latter attracted a sharp intake of breath from the crowd at its IFA unveiling, it remains to be seen how developers will react: Toshiba has since let slip to us that there’s a JournE Touch App Store in the works.
But enough of the tech talk, you’ll be wanting to know what it’s like in the hand. Luckily, we had a quick fondle of the Toshiba JournE Touch just after Toshiba’s IFA press conference, and while the prototype in our grasp was far from finished, it felt solid and nicely balanced in the palm.
Toshiba JournE Touch: all the official photos
The screen is large enough to be easily seen at arms length, making it perfect for Toshiba’s proposed use “on the sofa, while watching TV.” Coupled with plans to make the JournE Touch work with Toshiba’s new Media Controller software, this makes sense. It’ll control other devices around the home, streaming media to them and taking charge of their functions.
Toshiba’s non-slip grip on the rear of the JournE Touch feels just right too, and it’s an incredibly touchy-feely bit of kit.
That said, the development software it’s running still needs lots of work. It’s more than a little sluggish at present, taking an age to switch between homescreens, even after several encouraging prods from Marco Perino, Toshiba’s general manager in Europe.
However, it’s clear there’s more than a little promise in the JournE Touch, the first salvo in what’s sure to become a war of the tablets. Check out our hands-on photos above.
Out 2009 | €249 | Toshiba
