Jolla’s attempts to build an alternative to Android and iOS in the mobile space have been a bit underwhelming in recent years. The company’s Linux-based Sailfish OS is capable of running on a number of phones, but there aren’t many devices that ship with the operating system. And Jolla has pretty much given up on developing its own hardware after lackluster phone sales and a crowfunded tablet project that was a bit of a trainwreck.
But if you’ve been holding out hope that a new Sailfish-powered tablet would appear, today’s the day. Kind of.
The Youyota Sailfish OS tablet is a third-party device that’s expected to ship in September. But it’s virtually identical to the discontinued Jolla Tablet, since it’s based on the same design and features software licensed from Jolla.
After working on the project for a few months, the group behind the new version of the tablet has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise the money to start producing the Youyota tablet.
It’s worth noting that Jolla managed to raise more than $2.5 million for its tablet a few years ago, and still failed to deliver tablets to most of the folks who backed that crowdfunding campaign.
The difference is that Youyota hasn’t sunk any costs into hardware or software development. The money raised through this new campaign will basically pay for manufacturing and licensing costs. The hardware and software are already designed.
Of course, that means what you’re getting is a tablet with dated specs, including:
- Intel Atom Z3735F Bay Trail processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 32GB or 64GB of storage
- 802..11a/b/g/n WiFi
- Bluetooth 4.0
But while a faster processor, more memory, or additional storage would have been nice, changing those features would have driven up the cost of the tablet. In fact, the original plan had been to offer a 128GB version, but that model was canceled due to a recent spike in the price of 128GB eMMC storage components.
The good news is that some specs have aged pretty well: the tablet has a 7.85 inch, 2048 x 1536 pixel display, a microSD card slot that supports up to 256GB of removable storage, and a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a micro USB port.
It’ll ship with Sailfish OS 2.1, the latest version of Jolla’s Linux-based operating system.
Prices for the new tablet start at $199 for a 32GB model or $219 for a 64GB version. It’s available in black or red, and you can also add optional accessories to your purchase including a Bluetooth keyboard and/or protective sleeve.
via CNX-Software
Is it 16:9, or 4:3? Hard to tell from the photos, although I think it’s 16:9..
It’s 4:3 just like the original.
The only let down here is the SoC, its both thirsty AND slow.
A Cherry Trail Z8750 would’ve been better. I doubt they could get their hands on any cheap Core M3, not unless they order 100,000 units or more.
Or they could’ve gone the route of ARM, and get at least the QSD 650.
Also optional would be the QSD 652, QSD 653, QSD 660, QSD 820 and QSD 821.
I doubt they could secure documentation and/or open source drivers for something like the Exynos 8890, Exynos 7420, Kirin 960, MTK Helio X25.
I’m still holding out for webOS.
It’s down but not out.
It’s most definitely out and anyone who thinks a third party has a chance is delusional.
Whats propping up Sailfish are investments from governments suspicious of American operating systems, Android, iOS, Windows and want to slowly grow/keep alive something they might be able to use that USA has less influence over. Of course these governments would then have more influence over Sailfish, Russia being one of the primary backers along with some Arab countries.
Any relationship to the yota phone team?
I don’t understand how you can “design a tablet” for an OS few people are interested in and NOT make the speakers front-facing (from the pics). It’s infuriating.
The OS itself, still needs a lot of work (from what I’ve read) but that’s a different topic.
Tell that to all the smartphone producers.
The only one to support this is SONY, and they gimp their devices one way or another.
HTC were on a roll, count them out.
There was LG for a brief period, count them out.
I’m basically waiting for a refined ZTE Axon 8 at this moment.
Apple should’ve been the first to adopt this design but things are different without Steve.
Motorola is pretty good about it. My Moto Nexus 6 and the Z series speakers are front facing. Pretty sure the Moto X had front facing speakers for quite a ways back. Not sure about the lower end Moto devices.
There’s no need to work on the OS! It’s complete! Get yourself a SailfishOS device e.g. Intex Aqua Fish… and you know better than reading any half-backed reports about SailfishOS from Android community!
3735 is old