Toshiba's "Dynabook AZ" is a product that features Andoroid for the platform, despite being a netbook -sized PC.The company calls it a "cloud book" that is positioned between PCs and smartphones.I have the opportunity to touch this product under development, so I would like to check the usability of this Android PC.
●プロセッサにNVIDIAの「Tegra 2」を採用Speaking of laptops, it is common to use Windows for the OS using Intel and AMD X86 processors.Netbooks that adopt a liquid crystal display of around 10 type about two years ago and boom as a low -cost notebook PC with excellent portability, generally using Intel's Atom and Windows XP Home Edition for the OS.It is a style with a low -priced notebook PC.
On the other hand, smartphones are getting excited from last year to this year, but products that fill between smartphones, netbooks and mobile notes are exploring.Such products enable PC -like operations while using architectures used on smartphones on both hardware and software.
For example, in the case of Intel, the Atom Z series is provided as a processor for MID that is smaller than the netbook, but there is also a clam shell -type notebook PC that uses it.Qualcomm introduces the product genre called "Smartbook" in COMPUETX TAIPEI last year.It is assumed that Linux is used for the OS on a clam shell -type PC using Snapdragon, the company's ARM platform.In January this year, the International Ces, which was held in Las Vegas in the United States, introduced samples of products that use Android for clam shell -type notebook PCs using Qualcomm's Snapdragon.
Dynabook AZ is one of these products that originally made with a crumshell notebook PC that combines a processor that is smaller than a laptop PC and a smartphone OS.
Dynabook AZ is an idea close to SMARTBOOK, as it uses NVIDIA TEGRA 250 in the processor and Android for the platform.
NVIDIA's Tegra T20, which is used in the processor, is a so -called "TEGRA 2" announced in January of this year.It is a processor that is mainly installed on low -power consumption products such as smartphones and tablet products.Nevertheless, it supports video regeneration and FLASH acceleration, focusing on ARM's Cortex-A9 dual core, which integrates graphics engine, video processing engine, image processing engine, etc..
On the other hand, the Android of the platform is also noticeable on smartphones and tablets, so it is unusual for clam shell -type PCs.ADOBE has stated FLASH support to Android, and a beta version is actually provided.The combination with TEGRA with Flash acceleration is interesting.
●10.1型液晶に最厚部21mmのスリムなボディThe appearance of Dynabook AZ is a slightly lighter netbook itself.The size is about 262 x 189.8 x 12-21 (width x depth x height) mm, but it feels thinner than the size of 21mm.The target value is 900g.Although it is lighter than a general netbook, it can be said that it is a product aimed at between smartphones and netbooks in this regard.The display is a 10.1 -inch LCD with a resolution of 1,024 x 600 dots, which can be considered the same as the netbook.
However, there are some features like Android machines.One is a USB terminal.In addition to the normal USB terminal, it has a miniusb terminal.This is for connecting this product to a host PC as a USB device, like a smartphone.However, on the prototype, I actually connected it with a desktop PC and a USB cable, but did not work well.
| 本体左側面にはSDカードスロット、ヘッドフォン/マイク兼用端子、HDMI出力を備える | 本体右側面にはUSB端子、MiniUSB端子、電源端子、セキュリティロックを備える | インジケータ類はパームレストの右手前に備えている |
Another characteristic part is the keyboard.It has a key that can be said on Android, such as the "Return" key (combined with the ESC key), the "home" key, the "setting" key, and the "search" key, and has a browser, email key, screenshot key, etc.ing.
The function of the screenshot key is for taking a screen capture as the name implies, and a dedicated application for saving the screen capture by pressing this key is installed.In principle, Android cannot capture screen capture with the terminal alone, and on a PC side connected by USB, shooting with a debug tool contained in Android SDK, or a special method to authorize Root (SUPER USER).It is necessary to use applications that operate on the promoted terminal.It is a very nice point to be able to capture a screen without thinking about such troublesome things.
By the way, the liquid crystal display of this product is not a touch panel.When operating Android, which has many touch panel adopted devices with a touchpad, run the cursor with a touchpad and tap to operate to the left click.It is also possible to hold a long press.And right -click has the same role as the "menu" button on Android.
I think that the operating system that does not use such touch panels will feel uncomfortable as people who use Android smartphones on a regular basis.I felt unnatural in the operation that the right -click was a menu button.On the other hand, I felt that the keyboard that used ESC and the keyboard to return was a good solution.The behavior of the return button in the Android app and the behavior of the ESC key used in the "PC" are not uncomfortable.
Of course, there would have been a method of attaching a touch panel liquid crystal.However, it is doubtful that the touch panel is dramatically improved even if it is converted to a clam shell type, and it is possible that the cost will increase significantly.The method of providing an independent function key on the general keyboard+touchpad adopted by this product may be one solution when adopting Android on a clam shell -type PC.
| キーボードはAndroid用の独立した機能キーを備えるのが特徴。記号キーの一部はキーピッチが狭くなっている | ACアダプタは一般的なネットブックやモバイルノートPCの付属品と変わらない |
By the way, from now on, I would like to actually operate the Android of this product and introduce the functions and feelings, but in general, it is a frank impression that the trial machine under development is slightly less complete.In the future, I will mention scenes that cannot be expected, but I would like to refuse the operation on the trial machine in advance.We hope that the actual product will increase the degree of perfection.
First, this product has a unique home screen based on Android 2.1.The prototype also had an Android standard home screen, but here we focus on the original home screen and proceed.
The unique home screen is not extremely customized.Based on a general Android home screen with a status bar at the top and a home screen below it, a home button on the upper left and a launcher at the bottom are displayed.
The home button works the same as the home key on the keyboard and has the same function as the Android home button.It is for displaying the home screen at once from the application screen.It will be a consideration to be able to return to the home screen without interruption of the touchpad operation.
下部のランチャーは、インストールされているアプリケーションやウィジェットなどを呼び出すためのもので、Android標準のアプリケーション一覧画面に加えて、ウィジェットやブックマークなどが表示可能になっているもの、という印象を受ける。ここに表示されたアイコンからドラッグ&ドロップ操作を行なうことで、ショートカットやウィジェットをホーム画面上に配置することもできる。
The layout of 9 x 5 vertical on the home screen is available, and this space is prepared for 5 screens.The unique point is that it has a function to automatically switch the desktop according to the wireless LAN SSID.For example, it is possible to display different desktops at home and office.
| 設定画面の端末情報を表示した画面。Android 2.1ベースの環境であることが分かる | 東芝独自のホーム画面。Androidデフォルトホームとの大きな違いは左上のホームボタンと、下部のランチャーを備える点 | ランチャーは横一列表示のほか、このように一覧性の高い表示へも切り替えられる |
| ホーム画面は横9×縦5のレイアウト | 無線LANのSSIDに応じて自動的にデスクトップを切り替える機能を備えている |
By the way, if you introduce the network function, the network function of this product is IEEE 802.11b/g/n compatible wireless LAN, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
The web browser and mailer, which is the center of network use, features Android standard browsers and mailers, and Opera Mobile 10.
On the other hand, a Gmail client for Android has not been pre -installed.There is no Google calendar app, and the nuances of those who are actively utilizing Google, although it are Android devices, are weak, giving the impression of a general -purpose terminal.
| Android標準ブラウザで表示させたPC Watchのトップ画面 | Opera Mobile 10で表示させたPC Watchのトップ画面。独立した検索バーやWebページのサムネイル表示などのUIの工夫や、表示速度のメリットがある |
For Japanese input, a Japanese input system called "fskaren" is provided.FSKAREN has the same name as the Japanese input system that has been a proven Japanese in Windows Mobile developed by Fuji Soft, and seems to have been ported to Android based on this.
A high -performance one with predictive conversion, emoticons, and fixed phrase input functions.It is an advantage that the number of displayed in predicted candidates and emoticons, etc. is a good idea because the screen resolution is higher than the smartphone, but the usability of Japanese input is good.
| 入力システムは標準のAndroidキーボード(英語のみ)のほか、日本語入力システムとしてFSKARENが用意されている | FSKARENの設定画面。予測変換や連携候補機能などの強力な機能を持つことが分かる | 予測入力の例。液晶解像度の高さから予測候補が多数表示されるのも便利 |
| こちらは顔文字の例。感情別にカテゴライズされている | こちらは入力文字を切り替える画面 |
By the way, in addition to the home screen, some of the unique applications of Toshiba are incorporated.
"Powerplan Manager" is prepared near the system.This is an application for setting power saving, and sets the time and liquid crystal brightness up to LCD off when using the battery or when using the AC adapter.Although it is not possible to set a smaller power saving as Windows PC, it is convenient to set the power saving of the LCD with large power consumption.
"ToshiBa File Manager" is a so -called Filer.File operations such as files on the built -in storage, SD card, USB memory, etc. can be performed.The built -in storage is 16GB, and only less than 200MB is used in pre -installation, so it can be used with a lot of room.
SD cards and USB memory are automatically mounted when they are installed, but they could not access from the future icons in ToshiBa File Manager.It is still in the middle of development.
The camera icon next to the SD card or USB memory icon is for access to a folder that shot the screenshot.This was working correctly, and the JPEG file was serialized and preserved.
The story is a bit off, but when you talk about the built -in storage, if you check the memory specifications, this product will have a 512MB built -in RAM.It has been confirmed that more than 256MB is used correctly.
| PowerPlan Managerではプロファイルが用意されており省電力設定を切り替えることができる | 各プロファイルでは液晶輝度とディスプレイオフまでの時間を、AC使用・バッテリ使用別に設定可能 | Toshiba File Managerはアイコン表示も大きく使い勝手のよいファイラになっている |
| ファイルを選択してのカット/コピー&ペーストや削除なども直感的なUIで使いやすい | 内蔵ストレージの容量は16GB。出荷時には利用可能容量のうち200MB弱しか利用しておらず余裕あるもの | メインメモリは512MB。下部の空きメモリから256MBを超えるエリアも使用可能であることが分かる |
"ToshiBa Media Player" is a powerful media player application that can play each file of videos, audio, and still images, and also operates as a DLNA client.However, the part of the DLNA client function worked until the DLNA server in the network was detected, but it was forcibly terminated at the stage of actually trying to access it, and brush -ups are required in the future.
Although the accurate compatible format and bit rate of videos and audio are unknown, it is said that the video can be used up to 1080p, and the file of 1080p/6Mbps was actually played.Of course, I can play it without falling.
Even if 1080p can be played, it greatly exceeds the liquid crystal resolution, and the appearance of the 720p file and the video at the time of playback remains the same, but people with a library stored in 1080p for PC play via DLNA.There will be the advantage of being able to regenerate 1080p, such as being able to use it.
Regeneration of still images can be displayed as a thumbnail display, slide show display, etc.When the file is displayed alone, the right -click menu allows the file to rotate and the shared function using the Android intent.
By the way, this product has a built -in web camera at the top of the liquid crystal, which can take 640 x 480 dots photos with Android standard camera applications.
| Toshiba Media Playerのトップ画面。選択したメディアに応じて、下部に最近使用したファイルが表示される | DLNAクライアント機能を備える。現時点ではDLNAサーバーの検出は行なうものの、その先へ進めなかった |
| 動画ファイルは4種類の解像度のMP4ファイルを試したところ、1080pの再生も可能だった | 内蔵カメラで撮影した静止画ファイルの一覧。サムネイル表示も速度はまずまず |
| 撮影画像を表示させた画面では、下部のメニューからインテントによる他アプリケーションとの連携などが可能 | 液晶上部に132万画素のWebカメラを搭載している | カメラアプリケーションはAndroid標準のもの |
Toshiba's unique ones are also noticeable.Widgets such as notes, Internet radio hearing, and YouTube playback are characterized by preparing.
In particular, the YouTube playback widget can be noticed as unique to Android, but at present it has a low degree of freedom and can only play videos displayed on the widget.This is because if you use the search function, the search result of the mobile version is displayed, but you can not call the video from here and it cannot be played.This is a point that we want to improve by commercialization.
| インストールされているウィジェットの一覧。ここも東芝独自のウィジェットが目立つ | Toshiba SHOUTcast Radioウィジェットでは、海外のインターネットラジオ放送を聴取可能 | Toshiba Social NetworkウィジェットはFacebook、Twitterに対応しているが、現状では日本語が正しく表示されなかった |
| 先の画面と同じものだが、Toshiba YouTubeウィジェットの画面。Recent/Popular Videoに表示されたものは正しく再生された | YouTubeウィジェットから検索機能を利用すると、YouTubeモバイル版の検索結果画面が表示されるが、ここからビデオ再生を行なうことができなかった |
In addition, although it is not a unique software, such as the dictionary app "Donzo", the "Document to Go" of the office file browsing software, the e -book viewing app "FBREADER", and the remote desktop application "Android VNC"An application that expands the sex is pre -installed.
On the other hand, the environment for providing additional applications has not yet been set.Android smartphones generally have a "market" application, but this product is not currently available because it has not yet obtained Google authentication.In Toshiba, the method of providing applications will be provided at a later date, and at present, we have to wait.
By the way, in Android, it is possible to add an application package file where the extension becomes "APK".It is also possible to use what is called a so -called stray app provided outside the market.Also, there are Android app provision sites that are not Android markets, such as AndappStore, so it is not impossible to add applications at all.
However, it is important to note that there are many applications that are forced to be vertical.Since it does not have a touch panel, applications based on the vertical position are quite inconvenient.In that sense, wouldn't it be convenient to have a market limited to applications that are easy to use in the horizontal position?I would like to look forward to the appearance of a market with such a screening system.
| AndAppStore用のアプリケーションをインストールして利用してみたところ。AndAppStoreに登録されたアプリケーションをインストールできる | スマートフォンを前提に強制的に縦位置になるアプリケーションも多い点は、横位置専用ともいえる本製品で苦労する点となりそうだ |
Although this product is a clam shell -type notebook PC style, taking advantage of the environment that can use a netbook -sized battery with low power consumption TEGRA for CPU, it operates for 7 hours in consecutive video playback, operating for 48 hours in idol state.It is also characterized by the length of the battery driving time for the target.This time, the battery driving time as a test has not been measured, but in various tasks (trial and error) described above, I worked for about 6 hours without connecting the AC adapter, and the battery on the status bar.The memory was halfway.
However, this battery memory was also a bit suspicious, and it was hard to say that the memory was reduced and increased despite charging.In addition, although suspends are possible with this product, there is a phenomenon that the screen stops when the screen is not displayed even if you try to rejize after the suspend many times.The battery -driven time is a major advantage for general laptops, and this hit is a particularly required part.
| 電源ボタンを押すことでシャットダウン画面が表示される。サスペンド機能も用意されているがリジュームが正しく行なえなかった。細かいことだが「携帯電話オプション」の表記も気になるところ |
Another advantage is the startup time of the product.It is unfortunate that the suspend → rejumu time could not be measured, but this product has a cold boot displayed and the home screen is displayed and operated, and the starting time is realized that does not feel much stress.。This should be a benefit to extending the battery drive time.
By the way, since this trial machine was under development, it did not have the impression that it could be used satisfactorily, such as not being able to try many applications or providing applications.rice field.
However, the pre -installed applications have the spirit of preparing a minimum of users who have used PCs so that there is no shortage in using content.
With this, if the target battery drive time is realized and the platform provided by the application is improved, it has a high -resolution LCD and a enough QWERTY keyboard than a smartphone, and a better battery drive time than a notebook PC.It can be said that it is a product that has the potential to acquire a certain position as a product.