I wouldn't be surprised if 1024x600 was the standard. Since netbooks have used this resolution for some time, I suspect that there's quite a supply of panels at this resolution, which if true, means that the costs should be quite low. Also 1024x600 is quite perfect for smaller displays.

Having used a 1024x600 screen primarily on my netbook (before I got my latest lappie), I can vouch that it is a very comfortable resolution to work in. With linux apps that have thin borders and menu (eg. chromuim or xterm) you never feel that you need more. However some apps (eg. openoffice) try to make an icon for every function and makes usable document space a premium! For andriod apps, this will not be a problem, however, which is nice.

The 1024x600 resolution is why I would really love to see an X server (or app-like wrapper) on the system. At this resolution these tablets could run unadulterated popular x apps right in the Android eco-system (eg. Gimp). Thankfully, I'm not the only one talking about this. Since ubuntu was made to work on the Nexus One, people have been trying to compile the X server in Android. I suppose it's only a matter of time before thay succeed.

There was a hack made for the G1 to run X11, but i am unsure if it was generic enough for other android devices.

Yes indeed! I believe this is the same hack that uses a Debian environment and VNC to draw the display. While it works (well, I assume), I'm sure it's a little slow for some tasks, and not terribly battery friendly (though I could be wrong about this -- however it seems like a lot of overhead for rendering).

http://hackaday.com/2009/02/22/x11-on-android/

I wonder if it would be possible to forego the display drivers, and write an app that emulates X written using the Android stack? The benefit of this setup being that it can be rolled out to any device without custom drivers being required. Perhaps a single generic 'android display driver' that hooks directly into the X emulator for low latency display...

The driver idea isn't sounding so far-fetched. As it turns out, not all drivers talk to video hardware:
http://www.x.org/wiki/vmware

So it's possible to create drivers that put up information (shared memory?) and receive input from a standard Android application. The benefits to this setup are:

1) No unique display drivers need be written so it can be distributed to any working android system in APK form
2) Very easy access to apps directly within Android -- can be launched with a launcher icon like any other app for seamless integration. Switch between apps as one normally would.
3) Can easily take advantage of advanced features of Android (eg. multi-touch) and feed them into x.org as these features become available. For example a large 1920x1080 display that can be navigated via two-finger scrolling, or simply two-finger swipe between apps/desktops.
4) Benefit from the (large) x.org codebase for quick deployment without needing to create from scratch nor reverse engineer the system.

The end result is a full Debian environment including X, running seamlessly in Android. Apps launch as any other app does (though will need to be explicitly closed), and at native speeds.

For many it will be a novelty. However, there are certain well-developed desktop apps that would be welcome additions to these capable devices. I personally would like a graphical sftp file-manager, a drawing program (eg. gimp & inkscape), and the full-featured (though painfully bloated) openoffice.org .

EDIT:
Another benefit of a setup like this is having access to the MeeGo/N900 repository of apps! There's nothing wrong with a little cross-platform, eh?

One more day... Anyone else excited?

If I had one wish for this tablet (or Android in general) it would be that scrolling and other features were GPU accelerated. The Android launcher, Launcher Pro, is GPU accelerated and is ultra-smooth, and I feel it has a major bearing on the user-experience. Of course iPad and iOS have had this for years, and its arguably a very compelling feature.

Of course the UI styling is far from perfect; it seems to lack cohesion and balance. Hopefully the acquisition of Matias Duarte (the Palm OS design guru) pays off for v3.

I am quite interested too, and might buy this samsung thingy. This might be the right device for my wife & daughter, provided that a meego tablet won't be available for quite a bit.

Indeed.

I think Samsung generally 'gets it'.

Here's a video of a woman who recently got a Galaxy S.
Warning: this video is not deep or enriching, so don't get annoyed if you watch it and realized that you wasted precious moments of your life:
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=61003&page=8

What interests me is that the Galaxy S smartphone seems well suited, and comfortable to use to non-technical folk. What's even MORE interesting is that she mentions that she didn't like the fact that facetime was available only for iPhone users, and that she felt locked-in to Apple products. She recognized the Android eco-system as being more open (using adjectives like unlimited to describe the experience).

Now, this is no news to the people that frequent the forum (in fact, many would argue that Android isn't open enough!), however, the want for openness is leaking into the public's awareness, and that is very interesting (to me, anyway).

Galaxy S may be the most successful consumer linux device to date, and it does so in a way that's transparent to the end user; providing a simple yet fun experience that rivals other closed solutions. I suspect the Tab will have the same type of 'mass' appeal, and satisfying user experience.

Here's something interesting. A GPU-accelerated API for Android apps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg04w...eature=related

It's called Tiffany, and is designed for 3rd party app developers. I hope too see apps that leverage this technology -- and similar technologies -- to improve user experience!

I suppose the downside is apps that look and act differently, but it's not as if all apps look the same currently!

Well, that, and maybe the whole point is NOT to look the same all the time. What's wrong with flexibility? At least there's an open market where I can choose my experience, for better or for worse.

Engadget preview is up. Have not read it so do not know if they like it or not.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/s...y-tab-preview/