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What is the Root 101?

The Root 101 is the most open source and affordable tablet available today.  It comes with a completely stock version of Android Jelly Bean 4.2 (the most current version) with no bloatware apps, no ugly skinned version of Android, and comes with root access so you can install any app and even custom ROMs.  We've spent months perfecting the software to get the most out of the hardware.  As of now we've already ported two of the most popular aftermarket ROMs to the Root 101...CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android. These ROMs give Android a unique look and feel and give you more customization options than the stock OS.

We're dedicated to making this the most open source tablet available.  All our source code will be available online making it much easier for developers to build custom ROMs.  As people develop new ROMs we'll host them on our website for others to use.

When Google releases new versions of Android we'll keep updating our software so that you're always using the latest and greatest.  There's nothing worse than buying a new device only to find that a new version of Android is available a few months later and you're stuck with the old version.

Why Did We Choose Indiegogo?

We're a new consumer electronics start-up and it's hard to get into this business.  Manufacturing great products takes a substantial initial investment.  In order to sell devices for an affordable price a large number of units need to be made.  Indiegogo gives us the opportunity to bring our product to tech enthusiasts just like us.  We've all backed other products on this site and are huge fans of crowdsourcing.  It gives people like us, who are passionate about what they do, the chance to create things never possible before.

What We've Done So Far?

We're a small team of 3 people (Tomi, Justin and Fredrik) with many years experience in Android development and device manufacturing.  We've spent the last six months preparing ourselves for this Indiegogo launch.  

Hardware

Everyone on our team has been tablet enthusiasts since before the original iPad was announced.  It's impossible to count how many tablets we've owned over the past few years.  The last few months were spent testing just about every hardware configuration you can imagine.  We knew we wanted to keep the price low, have long battery life and enough power to run apps and watch HD videos.  After all the testing we finally ended up with the combination of components that we felt gave us the best results.  Once this was done we began working with many hardware partners in China to figure out the best plan for manufacturing.  After successful prototypes were built and tested, the design and bill-of-materials were finalized.  The factory has the components ready to go and is now waiting for the go ahead from us to begin manufacturing.  We've estimated about 4 weeks from Indiegogo funding to delivery to our HQ in the US.  Once that happens then its about 2 weeks until it's delivered to your door.

Software

Much of the focus of tablets is on the hardware, but in reality the software is just as important.  Having spent much time on Android tablets we knew we wanted to give our customers options.  And we knew that a stock version of the OS had to be one of those options.  Our amazing software developer has been hard at work optimizing Android for the Root 101.  A good, clean Android build does wonders for both performance and battery life.  He's also completed ports of CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android, so as of right now we have 3 builds of Android running on our prototype devices.  There's still a small amount of fine tuning to be done in the code, but that will be finished well ahead of manufacturing.  When the product launches all our source code will be available on Github.

Stock Android 4.2

CyanongenMod 10.1

Paranoid Android 3.55

Tech Specs

The Root 101 has everything you need for a great tablet experience.  A great screen, long battery life, a dual core processor and all the connectivity options you want...WiFi, Bluetooth, Micro USB and MicroSD slot.  It even has a Mini HDMI out so you can output up to 1080P video from the tablet to your TV.  Here's the full list:

-10.1” IPS HD screen with 1280 x 800 resolution

-Multi-touch capacitive screen

-AmLogic AML8726-MX Dual Core 1.5GHz CPU

-Mali-400 Dual Core GPU – up to 1080P video

-1GB RAM

-16GB Internal Storage

-MicroSD slot – up to 32GB

-Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)

-Bluetooth

-VGA Front camera and 2MP rear camera

-9 hours battery life (7000mAh)

-Mini HDMI slot – output up to 1080P to TV

-Micro USB slot

-3.5mm headphone jack

-Microphone

-G-Sensor

-2 Rear speakers

-Rear aluminum shell for strength and durability

-Dimensions: 260mm x 173mm x 9.9mm

-Weight: 1.39lbs

What Will the Final Product Look Like?

The images you've see so far are of one of the prototype devices.  The final tablet will be the same, but with different colors and finishes.  Here are some renders of what the final product will look like.

See our website HERE for more pictures.

Project Timeline

• December 2012 - March 2013: Component testing and initial software development
• March - April: Component and factory selection, prototype developed and manufactured
• April - May: Prototype testing, software development, design and bill of materials finalized.
• May: Manufacturing specifications and pricing agreements signed, USPS shipping partnership established.
• May - June: Indiegogo campaign creation, packaging designed, software development
• June - July: Indiegogo campaign, software finalized
• Early July: Indiegogo campaign complete and manufacturing begins
• Early August: Root 101s arrive from factory at HQ in the US for final quality control
• Mid August: Root 101s shipped to customers
• After August: Continued software development and ROM updates

More Information

If you'd like more information on the Root 101 you can check out our website:

tronity.com

Or you can follow us here:

facebook.com/TronityRoot101

twitter.com/TronityInc