TechCrunch Web Browsing Pad gets Prototype 2

Some time back TechCrunch expressed the frustration that many of us were feeling after the failure of the OLPC program. There were cheap laptops all over now, but none suitable for simply browsing the web comfortably while watching TV or lying in bed. The team set themselves a goal of producing a $200 touchscreen computer with wireless with only a single goal in mind - make the web browser excellent. After that, we had a long period of silence as iPhones, iPod Touches, and EeePC clones came out one after another.

Well, TechCrunch as released an update on their second prototype along with video of the unit in action and it does not look too bad. It runs a customized version of the Ubuntu (Linux) operating system and a Webkit-based browser (like MacOS X's Safari or Google's Chrome). It uses a low-power Via processor (similar to the Intel Atom) and has a 4-cell battery.

Of course, by the time this really reaches the market, Apple may have released their rumored iPad, Asus may have their touchscreen EeePCs, and Microsoft's surface may be ubiquitous. So, it may be an example of too-little, too-late. Still, it is nice to see a team ready to innovate, instead of just complaining and waiting for the big boys to step up to the plate.