Fusion Garage Grid 10 Tablet Starting at $299 in October

[Michael Knutson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/fusion-garage-hacks-200-off-of-grid-10-tablet-aims-to-play-the/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/...ms-to-play-the/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Looks like we're all indebted to HP in one way or another. Since the TouchPad fire sale began, we've seen a noticeable southward shift in tablet pricing -- it's as if iPad rivals finally figured out that battling on price was just about the only way to make a dent in Apple's enviable market share. Now, we're seeing Fusion Garage wipe a full $200 from its Grid 10 tablet... before the thing even ships."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/lpt/auto/1315846826.usr17748.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Very interesting that they're dropping their prices before they've shipped a single tablet. Built on an Android kernel, Fusion Garage has built an OS for the tablet, calling it Grid OS. It will run Android apps, but, as of today has no access to the Android Market. According to Fusion Garage, their intention all along has been to price the tablet this aggressively, with some contractual obligations delaying the price drop. Now scheduled to arrive in North America about October 1, 2011, this price point may attract some buyers not wanting to ante up for an iPad, as well as impulse buyers.&nbsp;</p>

[Jason Dunn]

I find that price point QUITE tempting...I wonder if it's sustainable for them? The Grid UI is pretty slick.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

That's a seriously good price.

[firedog]

If it doesn't have access to the Apps Store, how do you load apps on it?

Without apps it wouldn't be worth a lot to me. There are a few apps I just have to have to make a tablet worthwhile.

[Jason Dunn]

If it doesn't have access to the Apps Store, how do you load apps on it? Without apps it wouldn't be worth a lot to me. There are a few apps I just have to have to make a tablet worthwhile.

Hmm. I didn't realize that. A comment on Engadget said it was built on the Android kernel, but isn't actually Android. Without apps, it would have limited functionality...if this is true, what a bizarre decision by Fusion Garage. :confused:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I thought I read something about the Amazon App Store. Could be wrong.

[firedog]

I went to the company web site and yes, you can download apps from the Amazon web store.

I guess this helps, but I looked for the one I'm most interested in at the moment, the controller for Squeezebox software, and it isn't there.

BTW, on the website it also shows a smart phone running their software. It is unlocked, and I think it is a triple band GSM phone with wi-fi. Hard to tell from the description. Will sell for $399 - but not out yet.

Pricey, but it means you could have an iPhone type smart phone without a contract. Unlocked iPhones are at least $200 more than that.

So for someone with a phone based on a SIM card, you could get a device for $399 that could basically do all the functions of an iPhone/iPad Touch. Interesting.