Sharp Galapagos: 10.8-inch Android eReader in December
It seems like the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Tab may have ushered in the latest era of Android devices – tablets. Today, Sharp has announced two new devices called “Galapagos” – a 10.8-inch tablet and a 5.5-inch version – to be available this December.
Thanks to the tipster who sent this in, who also claims the Galapagos will run Android, but I was unable to find an official trace mentioning Android or another definitive OS for that matter. However the name Galapagos was assigned because Charles Darwin, the father of Evolution Theory, was born in the Galapagos Islands and Sharp’s new devices will allow software updates “to evolve”.
Sounds like Android to me! Of course those “software updates” could merely be discussing the 30,000 magazines, newspapers, and books that will be available with a service/content plan, suggesting that the device will offer new content as new issues of magazines, newspapers, and books are published.
The announcement was made at an event in Tokyo, and due to my inability to speak Japanese, all the details of this story aren’t 100% clear. For example, although Sharp announced the Galapagos it appears it may be sold with a Kuraudomedia brand and marketed as an Electronic Bukkusutoasabisu, which I assume is the Japanese equivalent of an “eReader”.
If you’re a Japanese speaking Phandroid feel free to jump into the comments and properly direct the conversation and analysis. It will certainly be interested to see what eReaders and tablets catch fire and which one struggles, also noting what types of service plans and content offerings play into the picture.
It seems the Galapagos is destined for an Asia only release, at least initially, but details of the story are a bit unclear. I guess the latest we’ll find out is December!
Update: looks like a mini-site is going up at Sharp.co.jp/galapagos