MSI Reveals Dual-Screen Netbook, eReader Device
Is it an e-reader? Is it a dual-screen netbook? CES attendees want to know.
Is it a dual-screen e-reader, or is it a dual-screen netbook? That's the question many are asking after taking a peek at MSI's 10-inch dual-screen device at CES 2010. MSI, according to Engadget, says it's actually an e-reader, however hands-on impressions by various CES attendees think otherwise. Sporting an Intel Atom Z Series processor (Z530) and Windows 7 Home Premium, this super-sized Nintendo DS clone offers more than simple e-book reading.
According to hands-on impressions, the dual screens act as one, allowing users to drag an item from one screen to the other (like you would on a dual-screen PC set with the expanded desktop). Since the device consists of two screens, a physical QWERTY keyboard isn't present, but rather exists virtually on the "bottom" 10-inch display. Multi-touch technology has also been implemented, however only two inputs can be processed in the device's current state.
MSI's dual-screen device is a prototype, but apparently, there is the integration of an accelerometer planned for the final version--currently the only way to switch from a horizontal setup to a vertical view is to tap an icon on the Windows 7 desktop. Additionally, the netbook/e-reader device looks rather thin when viewed from the side, however it's reported that MSI's device is actually rather heavy. That, of course, may change as the design matures.
As of this writing, MSI has not provided a name for the netbook/e-reader device, nor has it released specs other than what's provided here. MSI said that it plans to ship the device within a year, so hopefully we'll know more about what's under the hood in the coming months.
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So no:
Ctrl-shift-esc?
Ctrl-Alt-Del?
Ctrl-shift-[left/right/up/down/home/end]
Alt-shift-tab
windows-shift-tab
Need I go on? no.
Good point miles. Another issue they will need to resolve before this is released is the lag effect on virtual keyboards. Can you really type as fast as a physical keyboard using a virtual one?
Really, for me to be interested in a virtual keyboard as the main user interface on a computer I want it to be able to do a few things a normal one will not:
1) Easily switch between keyboard layouts (applying stickers to a physical keyboard sucks).
2) The OS should be able to let me fully customize my keyboard layout without any hassle. I want to be able to make the z key another modifier and have all the brackets and mathematical operators on the home row. I can do this with a Windows program right now but I want the keys to be able to show up on the virtual keyboard.
3) Be able to use gestures on the device. For example, I could press the gesture key and then do a certain gesture to operate with something on the screen. Think of it as a giant multitouch trackpad.
4) Keyboard layout that changes depending on the application. Say I am playing WOW, I want my keyboard to only show the buttons I need for WOW. The number keys could have the actual icons of the special abilities I have mapped to them. I could even have a virtual joystick on the left side where the wasd keys are. I could have a special layout with gestures for an RTS game or one that I could use for 3d modeling.
All of those are being worked on but I won't see the utility in a virtual keyboard for a desktop or laptop until I see those features.