Last week Sharp introduced a new line of Android powered eBook readers. This week the company is showing off its Galapagos tablets at CEATEC. Engadget got a chance to check them out in person, and while they’re primarily designed to be eBook readers, these little tablets have a bit more oomph than your typical Kindle or Nook.

One of the Galapagos devices has a 5.5 inch display while the other has a 10.8 inch screen. According to Engadget, web pages looked great, but the user interface was a bit slow.  Magazines reportedly look good on the screen. And while the tablets are said to support Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Engadget didn’t get to put that feature to the test.

Spec-wise, the smaller tablet has a 1024 x 600 pixel display while the larger model has a 1366 x 800 pixel screen. Each has 802.11b/g WiFi, which should make them decent if not spectacular devices for surfing the web. I kind of have to wonder why you’d bother buying magazine subscriptions on a device like this when you can just visit the magazine website though.

You can find more hands-on photos at Engadget.

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3 replies on “Closer look at the Sharp Galapagos Android tablets”

  1. “I kind of have to wonder why you’d bother buying magazine subscriptions on a device like this when you can just visit the magazine website though.”

    The reason being is that a tablet is easier to hold and use (touchscreen), than a laptop with mouse for cruising the web as you hang out in any room in the house.

    1. My point is that this tablet has a web browser — so you don’t *need* a laptop to visit the website. You can use the very same device to either read the paid version of the magazine… or the free version.

    2. I just have to say that I don’t find holding tablets (larger than 5 inches) easy at all. It is very awkward. It feels like I’m going to drop it at any moment. Plus I end up bending my neck down which causes neck pains. These tablets are not very ergonomic. I’m surprised there are so many people interested in them.

      If I ware to read anything for a good amount of time I’d sit down and use a notebook. My arm is too weak to hold up any electronic device for long.

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