KDE plans to release a tablet that operates on the open source Linux operating system. According to a blog post written by KDE developer Aaron J. Seigo, the Spark tablet will come with a 7-inch (800x480) capacitive multi-touch display and will be powered under the hood by a 1GHZ ARM processor.

Other hardware specifications include Wi-Fi connectivity, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and an SD card slot. On the software end, Spark will run on KDE's Plasma Active and will be available to the general public. The relatively modest hardware will be priced at about $265.

This news has created a buzz in the Linux world over the possibility of a fully open tablet based on the Linux software stack. Some are clearly enthused about the possibility of an ARM tablet without closed binary drivers and other restrictions. Others, however, are skeptical in view of its comparatively high price when pitted against other 7-inch tablets such as the Kindle Fire and even the BlackBerry PlayBook. Moreover, Internet sleuths have quickly concluded that the Spark is really the Zenithink C71, which is currently being advertised for about $120 to $130.

However, I think Seigo sums it up well in a follow-up Q&A, where he confirmed that the Spark is really a C71. While a user can certainly install Plasma Active on a tablet that is "purchased elsewhere," Seigo wrote: "Keep in mind that by purchasing a Spark you will help drive development of Plasma Active, Mer and the push towards an open ARM ecosystem."

Will the Spark tablet ever take off in businesses? I think the answer is no, if client-side Linux adoption in businesses is any indication. Expect to see them being toted around by die-hard Linux users who value flexibility.

For now, the Spark tablet is expected to start shipping in May, and will be available worldwide. An add-on store is expected to be unveiled nearer to the release date, and will be released as open source once its design and implementation has been validated. A model with 3G and GPS is expected eventually, though only at a later stage.

For more:
- check out Seigo's blog post
- check out this article at TechNewsWorld
- check out this article at InformationWeek

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