Archive for: crunchpad
- November 11, 2010 9:41 am
The most highly acclaimed, globally praised Fusion Garage’s re-branded CrunchPad JooJoo tablet is dead — this according to tech site e27 in an email exchange between themselves and Fusion Garage founder Chandrashekar Rathakrishnan. The news isn’t all that entirely surprising given rumors of a rather pathetic 90 units sold…total. (Though Chandra obviously denies such low numbers.) But don’t count Fusion Garage out just yet. Chandra reiterated that they are working on a couple of new devices for 2011 powered by a customized version of Android and packing newer, more powerful hardware.
Getting rid of that god-awful in-house OS was an important first step towards relevance. Now they just have to show some restraint in going hands-on crazy with Android customization. Does an Android-powered JooJoo 2, 3, or 4 sound more appetizing?
Regardless of what a few specific individuals (read: Fusion Garage exec’s) say, the JooJoo by Fusion Garage is pretty much a bomb — in stock form that is. What if you could order one with a different OS — one with a bit more functionality, say OS X? Them you’d have something, right? Well, I’m not too sure what exactly would make the JooJoo hardware “lust worthy”, but slappin’ OS X on it and giving it another go couldn’t help, that’s for sure.
The image above depicts such a tale of two cities, though is void of any real information to pass along. Though we have to ask — Would you really drop $500 on a JooJoo when an iPad is leaps and bounds better in the tablet world? Yeah, I didn’t think so…
Color me slightly optimistic, but reports around the JooJoo today (remember, the CrunchPad that evaporated into vaporware only to re-emerge as crapware) have it not only on track, but enjoying increased pre-orders since the iPad announcement, a new round of funding, and a South African carrier deal in the mix — quite the buffet of luck if you ask me.
As far as the increased pre-order claim, Fusion Garage CEO Chandra Rathakrishnan didn’t actually post any numbers for us to look at so his claims are unverified at this point. With that said, being able to actually track whether or not JooJoo pre-orders did rise after Apple’s mid-week bonanza last week is next to impossible without said numbers.
Moving on, Chandra has also stated that he and FusionGarage are committed to starting shipments of the JooJoo in February. That’s fine and dandy and all but those who have pre-ordered so far have been met with the same 8-10 week shipment date that’s been around for well over a month now. If I were you, I wouldn’t put down any money until these things actually make it into the streets. They call “vaporware” by it’s name for a reason.
As for the new round of funding and carrier deal in the mix, could the JooJoo be the poor mans iPad that costs the same as an iPad?
Engadget
[TechPluto]
Fusion Garage and TechCrunch have been going at it for the last several days in a cut throat manner, both accusing the other of lies, deceit, and all kinds of other hurtful things. We all know what Michael Arrington and the entire ‘Crunch team think. Fusion Garage announced today that any IP property or copyright claimed by TechCrunch and Michael Arrington is “ludicrous” and simply not true. Fusion Garage CEO even goes as far as to say that Michael Arrington didn’t do enough — practically anything worthwhile or useful in the advancement and development of the CrunchPad. Ouch. Bickering aside, you just want specs and pictures.
Sadly, no one is going to be impressed with the underpowered specs that include 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 4GB RAM, 5 hours of battery life, and a few other mid to low range features that now cost $500. The OS boots straight into a browser (ala Chrome OS) so native apps are looking pretty unlikely at this point. Overall it looks to me as if Fusion Garage just created another table clone computer that will only appeal to a small, select group.
Ya, so much for actually wanting a CrunchPad JooJoo. At the size and price, I’d rather get a cheaper laptop or a nice smartphone. It’s sad, the CrunchPad was a novel idea. Now it’s legacy is nothing more than a typical over-hyped, under performing hardware/software combo yet again. Anyone still interested?
Electronista
In every story, fight, or dispute there are always two sides. In the disheartening story involving TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington and Fusion Garage in regards to the increasingly distant Crunchpad release and ultimate demise, it appears we’ll get to see this device after all. This coming Monday, December 7th, the CEO of Fusion Garage, Chandra Rathakrishnan, will demo the Crunchpad and share his side of the story. Now, after hearing Arrington’s side of the story — which leaves Fusion Garage looking like nothing more than a company full of jerks — we’ll finally get to hear from the oh so quiet and mysterious Fusion Garage CEO whom will hopefully clear up a lot of the questions brought on by Arrington’s account of the events.
Perhaps the saddest part of all is actually being able to touch, feel, and see this Crunchpad, a device we’ve been so eager to see for many months, and know that there’s a good possibility it will never come to market. Of course, Fusion Garage could blindside us and announce an upcoming release date and make good on their intentions in the email now heard ’round the world. With such an announcement, lawsuits will start flying. I guarantee you. Still it gets me thinking — is it really better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? If we won’t ever be able to own a Crunchpad, why do we want to tease ourselves over something that just won’t ever be?
Bah, I’ll be glued to Fusion’s demo event just as many of you. I can’t resist.
Gizmodo > San Fran Business Times
- November 30, 2009 12:42 pm
If there were ever a gadget that the tech world was so eager to see, touch, and play with, the CrunchPad was perhaps one of the top contenders. Eschewing any Apple related gear, in recent memory I honestly can’t think of a gadget that so frequently soaked up headlines. While the headlines were often negative in nature, detailing yet another delay or setback, geeks alike were still primed and ready, waiting for a date they could get their hands on this wonder device. After reading the final account by Michael Arrington himself over at TechCrunch we can now see the real reason to not necessarily past delays, but to why that now hallowed November 20th date came and went. A personal account by Michael Arrington sheds light on what is easily one of the saddest and most disheartening events for tech enthusiasts as well as the CrunchPad team alike.
To get things started: Greed. Need I say more? In reality there’s a lot, lot more. Essentially, Michael was told by his partner and best friend who’s company, “Fusion Garage”, was helping build and distribute the CrunchPad that he and TechCrunch were no longer involved in the device and that the only option for forward progress was the surrendering of any and all remaining CrunchPad trademarks and rights to Fusion Garage. You can see where this is going…
