Computer Tablet Project Is In Jeopardy: Thailand

[Buchholz]

Reports in the other paper this morning are that the ICT Ministry has given Shenzhen Scope one week to sign a contract or they will lose the whole deal.

The ICT Ministry said that if the deal falls through, they will either enter a new round of bidding or give it to the runner-up Chinese company, TCL Corporation , from the original bidding.

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[DavidHouston]

Seems to me that the Scope tablet is a brilliant idea for the Thai education system. These screen-sensitive tablets will be just perfect for young Thai students to learn the Chinese characters which the 10,000 new language teachers from China will be teaching them. How prescient of the Thai government!

I see that the Apple app store, for example, sells an app for learning Chinese characters. How much easier is this tool than the traditional brush and ink approach!

The Thai government obviously believess that its future lies immediately to the North, rather than in Europe or America.

[Buchholz]

Reports in the other paper this morning are that the ICT Ministry has given Shenzhen Scope one week to sign a contract or they will lose the whole deal.

The ICT Ministry said that if the deal falls through, they will either enter a new round of bidding or give it to the runner-up Chinese company, TCL Corporation , from the original bidding.

Not too familiar with TCL, other than they make a reasonably decent and cheap electrical kettle and other small appliances.

I do know they are a big manufacturer of televisions (our neighbors' canked after 3 months), but it seems that as of last September, they hadn't even made a product that had entered the tablet computer industry.

2011-09-09

TCL makes headway overseas

Electronics maker overcomes missteps by rebuilding brand

In the coming months, TCL will release two 3G Android-based tablet PCs, the TCL Pad16 and the Open Pad. With its highly flexible customization features, the tablets provide a wide range of functions.

For CEO and chairman Li Dongsheng, 54, the launch of the two tablets is just one of several recent steps forward for TCL as it attempts to gain more consumer exposure in the international market.

2011-09-09

http://www.chinadail...nt_13655415.htm

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Edited May 1, 2012 by Buchholz

[thaicbr]

One year batteries are a very bad idea, and show poor craftsmanship and a planned obsolescence curve that will cost the government a HUGE amount of money annually. Worst, how are 12 service centers going to supply 900,000 batteries NEXT year and each subsequent year?

Tablets are a good idea. Shenzhen is NOT.

Scrap the bid, reopen it to other companies, let Shenzhen eat dirt.

Tablets are a bad idea. Can you tell me WHAT tablet manufacturers offer a STANDARD battery warranty longer than 12 mths.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[OzMick]

Reports in the other paper this morning are that the ICT Ministry has given Shenzhen Scope one week to sign a contract or they will lose the whole deal.

The ICT Ministry said that if the deal falls through, they will either enter a new round of bidding or give it to the runner-up Chinese company, TCL Corporation , from the original bidding.

Not too familiar with TCL, other than they make a reasonably decent and cheap electrical kettle and other small appliances.

I do know they are a big manufacturer of televisions (our neighbors' canked after 3 months), but it seems that as of last September, they hadn't even made a product that had entered the tablet computer industry.

2011-09-09

TCL makes headway overseas

Electronics maker overcomes missteps by rebuilding brand

In the coming months, TCL will release two 3G Android-based tablet PCs, the TCL Pad16 and the Open Pad. With its highly flexible customization features, the tablets provide a wide range of functions.

For CEO and chairman Li Dongsheng, 54, the launch of the two tablets is just one of several recent steps forward for TCL as it attempts to gain more consumer exposure in the international market.

2011-09-09

http://www.chinadail...nt_13655415.htm

.

TCL Touchlife Android tablet appears to be a rebranded RAmos W7

www.pocketables.net/.../tcl-touchlife-android-tablet-appears-t... - Cached22 Jun 2010 – A Chinese company best known for LCD TVs, TCL has just departed from its roots and released a new tablet MID product. Called the Touchlife ...

You visited this page on 4/30/12.

[Ferangled]

One year batteries are a very bad idea, and show poor craftsmanship and a planned obsolescence curve that will cost the government a HUGE amount of money annually. Worst, how are 12 service centers going to supply 900,000 batteries NEXT year and each subsequent year?

Tablets are a good idea. Shenzhen is NOT.

Scrap the bid, reopen it to other companies, let Shenzhen eat dirt.

Tablets are a bad idea. Can you tell me WHAT tablet manufacturers offer a STANDARD battery warranty longer than 12 mths.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Quite why you'd be interested escapes me, given your in depth, critical assessment of tablets much akin to Mr Mackey's line on drugs "Tablets are bad m'key!".

Clearly consumers don't agree with you, with over 20 million tablet sales in the 1st quarter of this year alone!

According to Forrester Research, tablets are rapidly becoming the primary device of choice for millions of people around the world. Sales of tablet computers in 2016 are predicted to hit 375 million, and 760 million tablets could be in use worldwide. Compared to the 56 million tablets purchased worldwide in 2011, that’s a compound annual-growth rate of 46 percent.

Every major tablet player will offer a 2 year warranty on the batteries if desired but 1 year is standard.... much the same as virtually every other portable electronic device on the market... you could apply the same question to laptops used in schools.

http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/

For all you technophobes, IMO the future looks something like this but running windows 8... bringing the best aspects of tablets and laptops together.

As to tablets in Thailand's schools? In a perfect world yes, in reality no... I would love to see priority given to improving teacher/ student ratios, quality of teachers, internet access, facilities, some focus on exercise and sports - this in particular is woeful in Thailand, the link between being physically and mentally fit seemingly lost here.

[thaicbr]

One year batteries are a very bad idea, and show poor craftsmanship and a planned obsolescence curve that will cost the government a HUGE amount of money annually. Worst, how are 12 service centers going to supply 900,000 batteries NEXT year and each subsequent year?

Tablets are a good idea. Shenzhen is NOT.

Scrap the bid, reopen it to other companies, let Shenzhen eat dirt.

Tablets are a bad idea. Can you tell me WHAT tablet manufacturers offer a STANDARD battery warranty longer than 12 mths.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

Quite why you'd be interested escapes me, given your in depth, critical assessment of tablets much akin to Mr Mackey's line on drugs "Tablets are bad m'key!".

Clearly consumers don't agree with you, with over 20 million tablet sales in the 1st quarter of this year alone!

According to Forrester Research, tablets are rapidly becoming the primary device of choice for millions of people around the world. Sales of tablet computers in 2016 are predicted to hit 375 million, and 760 million tablets could be in use worldwide. Compared to the 56 million tablets purchased worldwide in 2011, that’s a compound annual-growth rate of 46 percent.

Every major tablet player will offer a 2 year warranty on the batteries if desired but 1 year is standard.... much the same as virtually every other portable electronic device on the market... you could apply the same question to laptops used in schools.

http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/

For all you technophobes, IMO the future looks something like this but running windows 8... bringing the best aspects of tablets and laptops together.

As to tablets in Thailand's schools? In a perfect world yes, in reality no... I would love to see priority given to improving teacher/ student ratios, quality of teachers, internet access, facilities, some focus on exercise and sports - this in particular is woeful in Thailand, the link between being physically and mentally fit seemingly lost here.

Considering we are talking about tablets in Thai schools for prathum 1 students . That's what I meant by tablets are bad. Obvious really.

And most major tablet manufacturers do NOT offer STANDARD battery warranties longer than 1 year. But a few do offer extended warranty at extra cost.

And I agree with the rest that you said. The money would be better spent on Projectors and computers for the classrooms.

windows 8 tablets they are going to be interesting.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Buchholz]

Reports in the other paper this morning are that the ICT Ministry has given Shenzhen Scope one week to sign a contract or they will lose the whole deal.

The ICT Ministry said that if the deal falls through, they will either enter a new round of bidding or give it to the runner-up Chinese company, TCL Corporation , from the original bidding.

Not too familiar with TCL, other than they make a reasonably decent and cheap electrical kettle and other small appliances.

I do know they are a big manufacturer of televisions (our neighbors' canked after 3 months), but it seems that as of last September, they hadn't even made a product that had entered the tablet computer industry.

2011-09-09

TCL makes headway overseas

Electronics maker overcomes missteps by rebuilding brand

In the coming months, TCL will release two 3G Android-based tablet PCs, the TCL Pad16 and the Open Pad. With its highly flexible customization features, the tablets provide a wide range of functions.

For CEO and chairman Li Dongsheng, 54, the launch of the two tablets is just one of several recent steps forward for TCL as it attempts to gain more consumer exposure in the international market.

2011-09-09

http://www.chinadail...nt_13655415.htm

.

TCL Touchlife Android tablet appears to be a rebranded RAmos W7

www.pocketables.net/.../tcl-touchlife-android-tablet-appears-t... - Cached22 Jun 2010 – A Chinese company best known for LCD TVs, TCL has just departed from its roots and released a new tablet MID product. Called the Touchlife ...

You visited this page on 4/30/12.

Yes, I saw those tiny things, but with a screen less than 5 inches, I didn't think that qualified as the type of tablet the government has been pursuing.

I've not found info on them making any tablets in the "normal" (whatever that means) range. For example the Shenzhen 7 inch screen that was originally was given the contract (or not depending on which thread is read) or the iPad's 9.7 inches or Samsung Galaxy tablet's 8.9 inches.

I think a tablet so small, less than 5 inches, would compound other issues that already are present with this scheme.

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Edited May 1, 2012 by Buchholz

[hellodolly]

... Thailand = corruption + incompetence ... a mathematical certainty.

... can anyone be surprised? ... the only result that can be expected from anything the government attempts ... Suvarnabhumi Airport ... flood control ... civil demonstrations control ... jet ski scam control ... porn in Parliament control ... it just goes on and on and on.

... while the mere purchase of laptops appears more than the Royal Thai government can handle, their real failure will become apparent when the laptops require servicing, or start surfacing in the black market for re-sale ... highly likely that this will end badly ... if they will be judged by this wasteful giveaway, look out Phue Thai! ... here come the Democrats!

... if the Thai government wants to do anything right, it's corrupt politicians and government officials should just try skimming their rightful 25-30% off the top, and then hire the Swiss ... or, the Germans, or the Americans, or most anyone else ... maybe cost about the same, but at least it would work!

... my God! ... can this really go on generation, after generation, after generation?

I don't think they will end up on the black Market or in Pawn Shops. Two things come to mind.

1 They won't last long enough to get to either one and

2 Who goes to a Pawn Shop or the Black Market to buy junk?

[volk666]

If the deal with Scope falls through due to mutual mistrust perhaps they should go with a company well established in Thailand already, like Huawei. Their tablets might be more expensive but they are more likely to quote actual price for actual tablets rather than hope to get a contract and squeeze the specs and worry about capacity later, like Scope.

They should also postpone the project until next year or at least until next semester, teachers are going be pretty busy with first graders snotty noses and lost shoes for a few months now, no time to learn to use tablets.