Notion Ink Adam tablet to get Genesis SDK, US launch by December

Notion Ink’s Pixel Qi Android tablet Adam to launch before December

Photo: Notion Ink Adam tablet

The Adam tablet from Indian company Notion Ink is expected to be available to consumers by the end of 2010. Industry observers were a bit sceptical about Notion Ink’s ability to actually start production of the tablet, but things are definitely looking better for the company in August. Related: Our story from 2009 on the Notion Ink Adam tablet.

Adam manufacturer, Bangalore-based Notion Ink, confirmed in a blog post Thursday that the Adam tablet will be sent for certification to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission by mid-November and will be subsequently launched in the United States. Related story: Android tablets for 2010

The Adam tablet runs Android OS (we are not sure which version) will be powered by NVidia’s fast dual-core Tegra 2 processor, which will enable the tablet to play back 1080p high-definition video as compared to the 720p video of the iPad. Related: Android 3.0 Gingerbread tablets

The Notion Ink Adam tablet will also be equipped with the advanced Pixel Qi’s multitouch transflective display, which will cut down on power consumption by absorbing ambient light to brighten screens. Pixel Qi screens have a unique black and white mode, very like the screen of the Amazon Kindle, making it extremely easy on the eyes as an e-book reader. The highlight is the device’s high contrast mode in which the full color screen Pixel Qi turns almost black and white. Highly useful for when you need to use the tablet outdoors in sunlight.

Likely to be priced between US$399 and $498, the Adam tablet will be available in four models. Consumers will be offered a choice between a Pixel Qi or a traditional LCD screen. Other technical specifications include Wi-Fi, a camera and/or 3G wireless connectivity.

Notion Ink has reportedly sent out word to hundreds of developers about its Software Developer Kit (SDK), which is based on a framework called Genesis, to encourage them to write apps customized to the Adam tablet’s capabilities.
The company has also confirmed plans of providing its own custom software and app store. Also in the pipeline are a catalog of magazines and other content for the Adam.

The Adam tablet will initially be launched in the US market, and will be available only through an online store. Details for launch in other countries have not yet been specified. According to Rohan Shravan, CEO and founder of Notion Ink, it will all depend on how developers come together to build  applications for the Adam.