Last week I saw some coverage of this new HP device called the DreamScreen. And more than a couple of blogs were comparing it to the elusive Apple Tablet. Given my extreme interest in this space, I thought I should get this new DreamScreen in my hands as soon as possible and see if HP had indeed beaten Apple (and us) to the punch in delivering the first high quality tablet computing experience to consumers.
The press: “Want a hint at how the much-anticipated Apple Tablet might be shaping up? Take a look at the HP DreamScreen,” said one of those blogs, adding “this certainly looks like what we’re expecting from the Apple Tablet.” Another site: “Hewlett Packard has beaten Apple to the punch in coming up with a beautiful tablet-like computer.” Engadget called it “something special.”
The reality: I can’t repeat here what I wrote on Twitter because of the sensitive nature of the TechCrunch audience, but I will say this. The HP DreamScreen is possibly the biggest piece of crap to ever grace my desk. Which is saying something.
To be fair to HP, they didn’t really market it as much more than a glorified digital picture frame, the press just got out of hand. But even that’s too much. The device costs $250. It lacks a touchscreen. It lacks a browser. It lacks a battery. And it has the annoying habit of running a very loud demo video every few minutes – the only way to make it stop is to unplug it. Which is very effective, since it lacks a battery (not a good idea when you market yourself as a digital clock). And HP did nothing to stop rabid bloggers and journalists from heralding the device as some sort of Apple killer. I can’t help but wonder if any of these guys actually tried the device.
Wifi setup took ten minutes. I never got Pandora to work. I refused to even try with Facebook, because my password is long and, as you’ll see if you watch to the very end of the video below, I just don’t have an entire afternoon free to type it in. It’s also much thicker than those sexy photos on the HP site make it look.
Text input makes me think that HP was actually aiming for the Macbook Wheel as a comparison point.
I want my money back.
p.s. – I obviously have a huge conflict of interest here. So try it out yourself. But try it in a store where you don’t have to buy it, because you are going to be seriously unhappy with this device.
Take dat HP! And dat!
You go Mikey!
What is the purpose of this device? Is it a monitor? No, real monitors work better. Is it a tablet? No, real tablets work better. Is it a picture frame? No, real digital picture frames work better for that purpose. Really, this is a real question, what is the purpose of this device?
I’m wondering why you didn’t mention Microsoft’s Courier given that your CrunchGear blogger prefers it over the CrunchPad. Any thoughts on that?
http://www.crun...to-second-place
Trying to troll, how cute is that.
lol @ the keyboard
(and your reflection as you try to type)
I would recommend to anyone to take HP notebook…
I’m surprised by this review, I do agree that their notebooks are rock solid from my personal experience so why did they drop the ball so badly on this product?
Jon @ WoodMarvels.com
They are far from rock solid, I have owned two HP laptops and have had problems with both.
Yeah… thanks for letting me pass this one up.
There was definitely a crunchpad on your desk in the video there. Way to leave subtle hints.
nah, that was the new apple itablet. we’ve got a demo unit.
hmmm! crunchpad tangerine, keylimecrunch, crunchclear and my favorite, crunchberry- not sure if I should say but looks like you have a very small battery
You do realize that touching a smooth surface with more than one person is about the same as shaking hands? Is that why we don’t hear about the CrunchPad anymore?
OMG, around 2.33 there is definitely a pad, and it has to be the Crunchpad.
“Put your digital entertainment on display
View photos, listen to music, watch videos and more on the widescreen display of the HP DreamScreen—available in two sizes.”
It is obvious it’s merely a digital photo frame with added functionality. How would it end up an Apple Killer? Lmao
I could see Michael’s hand going back and forth to the screen thinking it has a touchscreen!
But why the hell do they have “http://” and “.com” on their on-screen keyboard when they have no browser…Strange!
Uploading photos to snapfish, inputting your pandora username and password…. other “enhanced photo frame” functionality.
If typing is going to suck that bad and you’re at some point going to need to type “.com” at least they save you those 5 minutes.
What were people smoking when they called that a tablet? Are they insane? Just because someone wants a product to be a “iXXXX” killer doesn’t mean it is. Not to mention that you can’t kill a product that doesn’t even exist yet!
wow.
Ending is hilarious. I think the Macbook Wheel would be faster at text input.
i was thinking the exact thing. the keyboard demo is *very* similar to the Macbook Wheel. If anyone hasn’t seen it, look for it on The Onion
Does Techcrunch try to pair up each writer with the article that would maximize the conflict of interest?
Alright Mike, I’m not shocked to see it’s a POS. But this kinda leaves the door open to ask…so uh…when’s the crunchpad coming out? Not just cause I want one, but I want to see it out before Apple pushes out their thing.
I’ve seen a LOT of articles on this device and not one of them mentioned a comparison to the Apple tablet. This guy’s an idiot. Why would anyone want a BROWSER in a photo frame?! Why would you want to TOUCH a photo frame….so that you could also bitch about the prints left afterwards?? Who cares how long your photo frame takes to “boot up”. Do you plan on installing windows 7 too?
It’s a photo frame with speakers and extra features. Nothing more. It is NOT a tablet, not even a computer! I’d love to see all these articles you supposedly read about comparing it to an Apple table computer.
you mean the ones i linked to in the second sentence? i’ll get right on that.
I dunno Arrington, the second one you linked may have had a click-generating and slightly misleading title, but it did say this:
“There’s no doubt the DreamScreen looks great but it’s no contender when compared to the forthcoming CrunchPad or what we expect from an Apple Tablet. It’s not a touch screen device, for a start – you have a remote control and on-device buttons to choose from but touching the screen itself will just give it fingerprint marks.”
The first article, honestly, sounds like it was a puff piece written by someone who hasn’t actually used one.
“These screens are hybrids of slate computers and digital photo displays. [updated: They're not multitouch screen-enabled. (You can easily imagine future models like that, once the costs come down). But you can control the panels through touch-enabled controls on the border of the screen.]”
First of all, this guy isn’t a native English speaker, (”slate computers”?) and second of all, he’s never seen one in person.
I’m not doubting that this is a piece of crap and I’m not denying that your CrunchPad will be much better but this is an extremely backwards way of giving yourself publicity.
These two blogs are comparing it to the Apple Tablet, but these guys are obviously smoking rocks.
CNet Crave: http://news.cne...10355399-1.html
“More than just a photo frame”
‘HP says it can “view status updates of friends, view and play a slideshow of friends photos uploaded to Facebook, and view upcoming events organized in Facebook”‘
Notice it doesn’t say anything about entering info on facebook, or anywhere else, for that matter.
Gizmodo: http://bit.ly/lFQQC
“HP DreamScreen Brings Pandora, Media Streaming to the Digital Picture Frame”
“While the DreamScreen has wireless capabilities it doesn’t have a browser function and is more for consuming short bits of online content. It does seem like device primed for applications or widgets (I’m thinking Chumby here), but right now HP is only offering these capabilities.”
Engadget http://bit.ly/10VDJT
“HP’s new DreamScreens pack Pandora and Facebook into a wireless photo frame”
None of them ever call it anything other than a wireless picture frame.
mashable said: “”a touchscreen tablet computer that lets you log into Facebook, view your photos, listen to Pandora streams,”
venturebeat completely butchered the story (they were the ‘lead’ on getting the news out). the article has been edited to the point now where the title doesn’t even make sense:
http://ventureb...m-hp-not-apple/
Well that’s the problem with blogging. One moron breaks it with incorrect information, another person rewrites it, and the misinformation gets spread.
Just because some bloggers are too busy/dense to factcheck doesn’t mean you can blame HP for the product. It’s not the worst tablet computer around, it’s the most feature-filled photo frame around. That’s not HP’s fault.
there’s more to it all, too. HP has been bragging about how they’re going to be a hitter in the tablet space, and this is their first product in that space. of course when something is a dud people just say its a first shot and there is lots more coming, etc. but this dreamscreen really is a total piece of crap, even as a picture frame.
wtf is the point of that “http://” button on the keyboard screen if there’s no browser
That’s the dream part.
++++ LOL
And they dont own DreamScreen.com
Next up, Mike reviews the CueCat.
http://en.wikip...org/wiki/CueCat
I heard the CueCat is gonna be an Apple Tablet KILLER!!
I still have my CueCat. I figure it’ll eventually come back into play again.
You can play with these at Disneyland’s Innoventions in Tomorrowland. And indeed, it is a piece of crap.
that really made me laugh
thanks for that !
ok really this is digital picture frame with wifi !
WHY didn’t they market it as such ???
how many big producers are doing picture frames with wifi ? NONE in my shops
I want a screen that will hook up to flickr…
come on $24 for the ARM part and then how much for a screen even with a retail markup of 70% thats under $150 for a device that would actually get the digital photo frame market working
this is what you get if you trust a bunch of people in management to produce something they make it really really profitable and dont put any engineering into it
COME ON get a clue stick
regards
John Jones
we’re trying to figure out where all the weight is going. No battery (lots of weight) and no touchscreen (an extra layer of glass, surprising amount of weight) means this thing is like 8 ounces too heavy. They may have added lead to balance it or something. who knows.
After the iPhone (which came out years ago), how does a company have the courage to even create a keyboard-less and then touchscreen-less device, and then say to themselves “Oh I know how to get some PR on this, let’s send it to Techcrunch.”
Hey Mike,
It’s a pimped out photo frame, marketing just didn’t get the memo. Best clue to the fact that the engineers went for a photo frame is the lack of a touch screen. Why no touch screen? Smudges on grandma’s pretty face (the controls are on the edge out of the viewable region). Get some rest Mike, you’re reaching here. Keep your eyes on the prize and get your tablet out before Apple! If you wait, suppliers, distributors, retailers…well they’ll all be less than enthusiastic if the category killer is already shipping from Cupertino. Get it done! You’ve definitely got a customer here.
-T
Could’ve swore this was just a slightly-pimped digital photo-frame. Unless I’m mistaken.
Oh, they’re pimping it as a “tablet computer”. What dickbags.
It also lack a webcam if not we can all video conferencing using skype or msn
Was that a Crunchtablet on the table as well or am I imagining things?
So let me see if I understand — you don’t like it?
It’s not the JesusTablet ™?
I have a cuecat somewhere in my house! got it free once in the mail randomly?? Free, I remeber thinking… this is F@#$ing crzy someone just made the biggest mistake of their career – but nice job with the molded plastic skin.
Keep dreaming BIG cuecat!
Looks too close to the HP TouchSmart, which I have already. I’ll hold out for the Apple tablet.
Worst computer ever made -
You really do have to wonder, how did this product make it out the door like this? Even the little details seem ill-thought out – the “stand” is some extra thing you have to unscrew that rolls off? They couldn’t find some way to make a flipout stand at least?
I know people like to rag on Apple and make fun of them, and I’ll grant they do sometimes make some irritating decisions in how they design their products, but it’s hard to imagine them releasing a product like this in this state.
To be fair, I generally have a fair amount of respect for HP too, which is again why I ask how they released and marketed the product the way they are in the state it’s in.
Wow! How incredibly craptacular. Are you sure this wasn’t some sort of proof of concept model that was never meant to see the light of day?
This makes you appreciate how Apple makes development look easy. My 8GB iTouch is a godsend and I would not trade it for 20 of these.
I just got to the part where the on screen keyboard is displayed.
This has to be the biggest failure in the history of HP.
The entire development department plus the sign off manager should all be terminated and escorted out of the building by security.
I love my HP TouchSmart 25.5″ all in one. Love the media options on it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Hated HP before I played with this in a store and had to have one. The DreamScreen is not a computer.
Where can I get a cool TechCrunch branded flip?
Data input is slick – everything is just a few hundred clicks away. Seems like a device for real work, not just dicking around.
+1. Nice reference.
Agreed. I’ll buy anything if it’s shiny and made by HP.
“I want my money back” means that you bought it. I find that highly unlikely.
no, we paid for it. not that it matters.
no touchscreen and it was called an Apple tablet killer.. what is the use of this device? and no battery, will someone please bulldoze all these devices
So Mike,
The only question I have after reading….when is your tablet hitting the streets?? Holidays are right around the corner!!
Could you please put the:
“I obviously have a huge conflict of interest here.”
at the top of the piece. Could have saved me a bunch of time. Actually this would have been more accurate:
“I’m a total A$$hole and totally biased against this thing. This review is a complete farce, becuase the product is a $250 glorified Chumby meets digital photo frame and I’m going to compare it to a $900 Apple tablet.”
Take that.
if it’s just a digital photo frame there really isn’t a conflict of interest.
Will you be my friend?
I dunno, Valley Bob, it looks like a serious piece of shit to me. I don’t think there’s any conflict of interest to be honest – without a browser, it’s not a computer. Just a glorified piece of steaming shit. IMHO.
But Mike – I agree, the box looks nice!
After reading all there was available at the time, who, in their right mind, could be misled into thinking this was a touch screen tablet, let alone an Apple or CrunchPad killer?
“I obviously have a huge conflict of interest here.”, Mike states in his PS. You don’t say; but at least we have a real product here and not one that was promised – how many times.
I have shifted from being a potential early-adopter of the CruchPad to someone who, frankly, has seriously doubts as to whether we will see a CrunchPad at all. It’s been strangely quiet for a too time.
Anyway, back to the HP product.
Taken for what it is, I think it is value for money for what it can do. It works just fine for sitting me at the end of my desk playing music or a movie – and it connected for me with no hassle at all.
I think your opinion written here is that of someone very disappointed, and I understand that, but it also smacks of someone who was angry because bloggers were likening it to the CrunchPad which, as I say, is absent at this time. I think your ‘huge conflict of interest’ clouded your judgement in giving a fair and useful assessment of the equipment. Something more constructive would have helped readers decide whether it was for them or not, judging it on the basis of what it is – not what it is not.
I repeat; who could have possibly considered this to be a touch tablet. Oh, now I recall – I read it at Lilputiing first, http://www.lili...et-tablets.html – who used the word ‘tablet’ quite freely, and Laptopmag, http://blog.lap...-digital-frames who didn’t.
Mikie has her panties in a wad. Everyone needs to get over the idea of this being a tablet. It’s a photo frame. Look at Best Buy’s description:
HP – DreamScreen 100 10.2″ Widescreen LCD Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frame With Connected Screen – Black
I think this would be a sweet little screen to have on my desk. Now if they could just get them to network and sync with each other. Like stations where pandora could play all throughout the house….ala sonos w/a kickass interface. Though in an iphone app for controller….nice. It’s got the wifi to do it.
what is your “obvious” conflict of interest?
he once dated steve jobs
The on-screen, arrow based keyboard input made my day.
Hi Mike, as the author of one of the posts you accuse of overhyping the DreamScreen, here’s another quote from my same post:
“Given its spec, unless you’re looking for what amounts to a really advanced digital photo frame you’re best holding out for something more advanced to arrive next year.”
I was referring to the DreamScreen’s appearance and Apple TV-esque interface as being similar to what the Apple Tablet will probably be like.
Ok, so once again Mike….When’s Crunch Pad coming out?
The new HP notebooks in the market with some cool features are really encompassing as a good reputation in the notebook market.
Er.. At least they actually put something to market Mike.
When in is the CrunchPad – VapourWare Edition coming out???
if it’s just a digital photo frame there really isn’t a conflict of interest.
I think it would make a great (albeit quite small) drinks tray.
This is why nobody can compete with Apple. Design, design, design. The front’s pretty, but the back look like it’s been welded on by C-grade metalshop student. If the iPhone is as thin as it is, why the hell do they need all that blobby casing behind it when this gives them more square inches to cram bits in?
I think the Apple device is far more likely to be a dual screen folding device more akin to a book than a enlarged iPod Touch. My guess is Jobs is looking to do something revolutionary with his new device rather than just evolve bigger versions of what Apple has already produced.
ye a folding device with a screen on one end and a cool input, like a keyboard, on the other
like a laptop…
hah
Buy a netbook in a store near you at a bargain price.
“Hewlett Packard has beaten Apple to the punch in coming up with a beautiful tablet-like computer.”
Well this is nice ..but not that nice .. but yes .. it did catch my eye …
Best,
Daina
I had literally the exact same experience. Bought it excited for the next era of touch-tablet amazingness. Kept poking at it for half an hour trying to figure out what i was missing.
Mine has now been donated as a prize for the next flixster employee to do something not very exciting.
An appliance tablet that i found interesting is the QOOQ.
It has a purpose and focus (on cooking), and even a broader vision for interactive teaching behind it.
With my bad French though, I probably got my own vision while trying to make sense of their CEOs video message.