Viewsonic GTablet sales yank blamed on Android/Tegra/Flash "user experience"
Viewsonic has blamed underbaked Android support for large-screen devices like its 10.1-inch GTablet, an unoptimized Adobe Flash plugin and issued getting its custom UI working properly with NVIDIA's Tegra 2 chipset for the poor "user experience" reported by early adopters. Having seen the Android 2.2 Froyo GTablet pulled from Staples this weekend over what the retailer described as a "manufacturing defect", Viewsonic is arguing that in fact simple software updates will address the issues.
A new software version has been promised by the end of this week, with an updated version of the Tap 'n' Tap UI that has caused so many headaches. It'll also be possible for owners to turn that custom UI off and use the native Froyo interface, something else which has been much-requested.
Meanwhile, as with Advent's Vega, a certified Adobe Flash plugin is expected by the end of January 2011, which should supposedly fix that part of the problem. Viewsonic marketing VP Adam Hanin told Engadget that the GTablet issues have been the result of Google's poor support for larger devices which has forced the company to "go out and put together their own software and app stores."
[via Engadget]
Press Release:
ViewSonic Confirms High Performance of GTabletSoftware Upgrade Release to Improve User Experience
WALNUT, Calif. – December 20, 2010 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today responded to recent retailer actions surrounding its GTablet 10.1" Android 2.2 Tablet. The GTablet, based on the nVidia Tegra II chipset, is one of the fastest Android tablets on the market today, consistently leading industry benchmarks.
"We always listen to customers; while they love the hardware, they raised several issues about the user interface," Jeff Volpe, VP and GM for ViewSonic Americas. "As a result, our software partner is releasing an upgrade that will address customer concerns. Along with great performance improvements, customers will have the flexibility to use both a standard Android interface as well as a user-customizable interface which has been significantly enhanced since the product launch." Volpe went on to say, "ViewSonic is committed to its tablet endeavors and will continue with new announcements at CES in January."
Current GTablet owners will automatically receive the upgrade through their WiFi connection by Friday, December 24. Users simply need to accept the request to install the upgrade. In addition, Adobe® Flash certification is targeted for the end of January, 2011. In the interim, users can download Flash from various websites that distribute android applications.
For the latest on GTablet software updates, please visit ViewSonic.com/gtablet beginning Wednesday, December 22. For general questions, please contact GTablet support at (866) 501-6405.