TechCrunch forms new company to launch CrunchPad tablet computer
TechCrunch, one of the leading technology and social media blogs in the world, is about to enter a whole new industry with the launch of its CrunchPad table computer.
There is no question that TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington is a polarizing figure in the technology computer. People seem to either love him or hate him, with little to no middle ground on the subject. However, by the end of this month all of that could be in the past as he courts an entirely new market of potential fans: gadget lovers.
On July 21st, 2008, Mr. Arrington wrote a post on his site entitled “We Want A Dead Simple Web Tablet For $200. Help Us Build It.” about his dream gadget. He wanted a device that would run programs like Firefox and Skype on top of a Linux kernal, and that would be it. He wanted it to launch directly into the browser, bypassing any sort of desktop interface, and he wanted it to sell for around $200. Well, today the San Francisco Business Times reports that Mr. Arrington has formed a new company named CrunchPad, Inc. with fourteen employees in Singapore, and that by the end of July he will host a press event to unveil the new device.
The price is now reportedly supposed to be closer to $299 for the device, but it has maintained all of the other demands Mr. Arrington put forth in his original post. The question now is he can crack the highly competitive consumer electronics market. With rumors circulating all over that Apple is working on some form of device with a 10-inch screen, the CrunchPad may enjoy a very short day in the limelight depending on what exactly Steve Jobs is cooking up.
There is no doubt there is a need for a device such as the CrunchPad, especially for people like myself who live and work on the Web. I don’t always need my full computer running when I just want to check my email or go to a web site, but, then again, that is why my iPod Touch is never more than a few inches from my hand.
Only time will tell if the CrunchPad can be parlayed into a mass market success, but it sure is going to be interesting to watch.
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