Jide Remix Ultra-Tablet Wants To Replace Your PC

If you’re looking for a PC replacement tablet and feel that the iPad is too inflexible, or don’t trust Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3, then a new ‘ultra-tablet’ device could be the answer to your search.

Chinese start-up Jide, formed by three ex-Google employees, has announced the release of Remix, which it thinks can fill in a gap in the market between laptop and the tablet.

Familiar

The 11.6-inch device comes with a magnetically connected keyboard cover and runs the company’s own Remix OS, a heavily customised version of Android 4.4.2 which is designed to bridge the gap between traditional PCs and modern touchscreen devices.

“Android was designed with small screen mobile devices like phones, phablets or small tablets in mind,” said Jide co-founder and head of software development David Ko.

“The thing we’re doing is taking Android and custom engineering it for big screen mobile devices; putting an emphasis on functionality and productivity.”

Remix has been designed to support a user’s existing PC, mouse and keyboard habits whilst providing them with an experience they will find familiar to using their laptop or desktop. This includes features like having a taskbar, running multiple windows at once, keyboard shortcuts to email, browsing and creating documents.

USB support is included, allowing users to access what they need from flash devices, whilst also meaning that existing mouse and keyboard devices can be easily connected.

Productive

“Android has limitations that can really affect productivity, especially for big screen devices,” adds Jeremy Chau, Jide’s primary founder. “And most tablets don’t really meet the needs of a working environment, so there is a gap in the market for an affordable tablet that actually boosts productivity.”

Powered by an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, and featuring a 1,920 x 1,080 FullHD screen, the device promises an extensive lifespan thanks to its 8,100 mAh battery.

The Remix tablet will reportedly cost around $450 (£297) when it ships in the U.S. later this year, with other markets to follow soon after.

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