The Always On Touch Book is a unique 8.9-inch netbook with detachable keyboard meets tablet that encourages a number of varied usage scenarios; Always On founder Gregoire Gentil pitches the Touch Book as a great option for a flexible computing solution "because you can use it in so many ways. You can use it as a netbook computer, a hand-held game machine, or a video player. You can even reverse the keyboard to prop it up on a table in an inverted ‘V’. Finally, because it is magnetic, you can remove the keyboard and put the tablet on the fridge to serve as a kitchen computer or digital frame."

In addition to innovative hardware allowing multiple configurations including keyboard and touchpad usage and standalone tablet mode, the software is unique as well. The operating system was custom designed by Always On as a 3D interface easily navigable with a finger on the screen instead of the typical tablet stylus control. The first batch of units will ship in July 2009 with what the company refers to as "beta" software, but with frequent updates. They hope to get other Linux flavors working with the Touch Book hardware, including Google Android, Ubuntu, and Moblin, as well as possibly Windows CE. (more after the break including specifications and original press release)

Always Innovating decided to break with the typical netbook Intel Atom processor and have included a Texas Instruments ARM processor instead which, being less power-hungry than the Atom, reportedly allows up to 10-15 hours worth of battery life in the default configuration and between 3 and 5 hours in standalone touchscreen mode. Billed as silent running and instant-on, the Touch Book is designed to be kept constantly running without the need to shut down after work sessions— more like a cell phone than a laptop.

Now shipping as of August 3rd, 2009, the Touch Book can be ordered for a price tag of $399 for the entire unit or $299 for just the screen tablet portion of the device. Check out more of the specifications and the full press release below; Gizmodo has a nice hands-on with video as well.

Specifications

•     9.4 x 7 x 1.4-inches for 2 lbs (with keyboard)
•     ARM Texas Instruments OMAP3 chip
•     1024 x 600 8.9-inch screen
•     Storage: 8 GB micro SD card
•     WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth
•     3-dimensional accelerometer
•     Speakers, micro and headphone
•     6 USB 2.0 (3 internal, 2 external, 1 mini)
•     10h to 15 hours of battery life

Press release

NEW TOUCHBOOK COMBINES NETBOOK AND TOUCHSCREEN TABLET; PROVIDES THREE TIMES THE BATTERY LIFE AT UNDER TWO POUNDS

PALM DESERT, Calif. March 2, 2009: Always Innovating today unveiled the Touch Book, a versatile new device that works as both a netbook and a tablet thanks to a detachable keyboard and a 3D touchscreen user interface. The Touch Book, previewed at DEMO 09, weighs less than two pounds as a netbook and has a battery life of 10 to 15 hours – three times longer than most netbooks.

"The Touch Book is perfect for these tough economic times because you can use it in so many ways," said Gregoire Gentil, founder of Always Innovating and creator of the Touch Book. "You can use it as a netbook computer, a hand-held game device, or a video player. You can even reverse the keyboard to prop it up on a table in an inverted ‘V'. Finally, because it is magnetic, you can remove the keyboard and put the tablet on the fridge to serve as a kitchen computer or digital frame."

The Touch Book combines the best of open source software and open hardware with a sleek industrial design by designer Fred Bould. The innovative design includes internal USB plugs. "I hate having dongles hanging from my laptop – I often end up disconnecting them accidentally – so we opted to put the USB inside," said Gentil.

The Touch Book is the first netbook featuring an ARM processor from Texas Instruments, resulting in outstanding battery life, and a fan less, heat-and-noise-free system.

According to Chris Shipley, executive producer of the DEMO Conferences, the Touch Book's innovative architecture and industrial design earned it a spot on the DEMO conference stage. "The longer battery life is a boon to netbook users. But the Touch Book's versatility – its ability to function as a netbook as well as a standalone touchscreen tablet – makes it a breakthrough product," said Shipley

The Touch Book is expected to ship in late spring and will start at $299. Advance orders can be placed at http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/store/.