If you are in the market for a device that can be termed as an alternative to the iPad or the iTablet from X2 Computing, can do multiple tasks at the same time, and is equipped with a webcam, then it’s the Notion Ink’s Adam that you should be looking at. Adam is yet to be launched commercially but it has already made a distinct niche for itself with its Pixel Qi display technology that relies not entirely on the gadgets own power source for lighting up the screen. Instead, it has the capability to utilize nature and natural external light source for bringing clarity to its display.
While Apple iPad also uses a sensor to detect ambient light and adjust display clarity, however it does not carry out any adjustment to the backlight factor of the screen. It is here that the Adam scores favorably since the ambient light sensor that it is equipped with enables the device to turn backlight on or off depending on external light conditions. This has made it possible for the Adam to reduce its battery drain by as much as 50 percent in comparison to an LED based backlight display. In fact, it is this that has proved to be a governing factor for Adam to be able to sustain a mammoth 16 hours of internet usage against a mere 10 by the iPad. In addition, the Nvidia Tegra chipset that the device runs on is also acclaimed for its low power demands. Power consumption of the Adam’s 10-inch touch screen has been found to be just 0.2 watts.
Using Google’s Android operating system rather than Windows or Linux also makes the Adam a better choice for the masses for an e-reader. Its plethora of selective specifications makes the Adam a must-have device when it is launched. Bundled with GPS, a digital compass, a 3 mega pixel camera and memory expandable to 32 GB, this device is being lauded as the geek’s gizmo. If the innards of the Adam are selective, the external for sure is seductive. It is just six inch thick and weighs a light 770 grams. Capability to play flash files is but the icing on the cake called Adam. Further, the company also announced content deals that will include digital magazines, e-books, and e-comics.
It is expected that we can have the cake and eat it too, as the price tag of about $325. Expected launch date of Adam is June and is likely to be launched simultaneously in both the US and India. For more information check out our E-Reader Forum and more on our E-Reader Blog
Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.