Motorola Contacting XOOM Owners about 4G LTE, Upgrade Process Underway?

One of our gracious readers just forwarded along an email he received from Motorola customer support. According to said email the XOOM’s promised 4G LTE upgrade for Verizon is already under way. This is the first we have heard of Motorola accepting XOOM units for the hardware alterations necessary for the tablet to be LTE compatible, but the email seems to suggest the upgrade has been an ongoing process. Here is the full text:

Thank you for submitting your Motorola Xoom for the 4G LTE upgrade. You should have recently received a package in the mail with instructions and materials for returning your device for the upgrade.

Our records indicate that we have not yet received your Motorola Xoom. If you are still interested in upgrading your Motorola Xoom, this is a friendly reminder to please follow the instructions provided in your upgrade package and ship your device back for the upgrade.

If you have already shipped your device back to us, please contact us at 1-800-734-5870 and one of our support specialists will assist you with tracking and completing your order.

The tipster who sent this along hasn’t received the materials for shipping the XOOM back to Moto, but suspects a missed FedEx delivery very well could have been the package referred to in the above email.

Whispers recently suggested the XOOM’s 4G upgrade would be delayed, though we cleared up rumors that it might have anything to do with Tegra 2/LTE compatibility issues. Word was that the XOOM would get its 4G kicks only after the launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. That tablet will be on pre-sale this Wednesday, so the timing is right, if a bit early. Of course, this could also just be a big coincidence/hiccup in Motorola’s system resulting in an automated email being sent out early. Any other readers out there receiving this notice? Let us know, we’d sure like to get to the bottom of this one.
source: Android Phone

ViewSonic ViewBook 730 – budget 7″ Android tablet

ViewSonic has yet another Android tablet on the way, in the predictably rectangular shape of its ViewBook 730. It'll arrive with a 7″ screen running at 800×480 resolution, and will come loaded Android 2.2. Inside is the popular, but slightly aged, Cortex-A8 1GHz processor, meaning it'll run Flash Player 10.1 – and a deal has been done to pre-load Amazon's Kindle app.

And here it is. Our initial observations are “That's a lot of bezel”…

A US price of $249.99 has been announced for it, which is pretty decent for a 7″ tablet with a front-facing camera and HDMI output. Isn't it? Here's the press release:

ViewSonic Changes the Face of Tablets

New ViewBook(R) 730 Tablet Is a Fully-Featured Low-Cost Powerhouse

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today expanded its tablet offerings with the launch of the ViewBook tablet line and new ViewBook 730.

Designed for the value seeker who doesn't want to compromise on features, the ViewBook 730 makes it easy for anyone to make multimedia mobile. This Android™ 2.2 OS tablet combines a fast and powerful ARM® Cortex-A8 1Ghz processor with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® support in a convenient 7″ form factor. Whether experiencing 1080p video playback via the HDMI connection, or engaging in video chat and conference calls using the integrated front VGA camera, the ViewBook 730 is the ideal tablet for staying connected and enjoying all the exciting possibilities of digital media content on the move.

With its RiteTouch technology, the ViewBook 730′s high-resolution 800×480 LED backlit screen serves as a great tool for pen writing. Whether taking notes in the classroom, highlighting excerpts within a novel or textbook, or working on art projects with the pre-installed Sketcher® app, the included stylus and RiteTouch make it easy to write directly on the screen of the device, swipe across content and scroll through emails.

Fully integrated with the Amazon Appstore, the most popular games and entertainment have already been installed: from Twitter, to Amazon's MP3 music downloader, shopping on Amazon.com, plus YouTube and Mediafly, along with Amazon® Kindle™ software for industry-leading eBook reading.

“In the tablet marketplace, there are plenty of solutions to choose from,” said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic. “We recognized a need for a tablet device that offers users an excellent multimedia experience with a very affordable value proposition. From the pre-installed Amazon Kindle eReader to full Amazon app integration and Flash 10.1 support, our new ViewBook 730 enables consumers to do all the fun things that they want to do on a tablet without the added cost for features they don't need.”

In addition to an ample 8GB of memory, the ViewBook 730 offers up to an additional 32GB of storage capacity via the microSD card slot. Teamed with a long-lasting battery for up to 8 hours of use per charge, consumers can bring all their favorite multimedia content with them wherever they go. For added convenience and functionality, the ViewBook 730 offers ViewSonic's AirSync technology to ensure that tablet owners will receive over-the-air device updates as they are rolled out, from feature add-ons to software updates. The ViewBook 730 will be available at the end of June 2011 for an ESP of $249.99.
source: Eurodroid

FlyScreen updated with new Android 3.0 tablet version

The very popular FlyScreen Android app, which lets users customise their phone's lock screen to include all manner of additional functionality, now exists in a standalone format for those of you lucky enough to own Android 3.0 devices.

FlyScreen for Tablets is pretty much the same thing as the mobile version, offering streaming RSS and Twitter feeds, so you can get yourself even more addicted to today's non-stop flow of DATA. Here it is:

Eurodroid does not have a tablet of any sort. Still not been tempted, although if the HTC Flyer ever gets Android 3.0 and drops to about £199, then we might make the leap.
source: Eurodroid

ViewSonic Introduces $250 ViewBook 730

It's no Honeycomb powerhouse, but ViewSonic has introduced the ViewBook 730, a 7-inch Android 2.2 tablet that will sell for $250. At that price, the 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 slate is sure to sell a few units when it hits shelves later this month. The LED backlit touchscreen display runs at a resolution of 800×480, and other specs include 8GB of internal storage expandable via microSD, USB and HDMI connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.1 support.

ViewSonic is aiming to hit a sweet spot that combines a well-polished Android experience with plenty of multimedia support at a cost that won't break the bank. We get the sinking suspicion this one might become a favorite of hackers and modders based on the price alone.
source: Android Phone

Sony S2 tablet arrives at the FCC

How do you know that a particular device is being prepared to be released to the mass market? Well, just knock on the doors of the FCC to find out – it is that easy. One of the latest devices that we have stumbled upon would be the Sony S2 tablet that sports a couple of displays, not to mention running on the Android operating system. Having picked up the collective nod of approval from the FCC, which means it is very near a US release.

Having won approval for GSM 850 and 1900 bands, in addition to WCDMA bands II and V, they will correspond to AT&T's network Stateside, so you can more or less make an educated guess on which mobile carrier the S2 will appear on way before it actually makes its way to the market.

We have heard that the Sony S2 will run on the Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system which has been specially configured to work with tablet devices. Each display on the S2 measures 5.5″ at 1024 x 480 resolution, working with a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and camera to boot.
source: Ubergizmo

ViewSonic ViewBook 730 tablet is surprisingly affordable

ViewSonic is famous for their range of HDTVs that offer value for money, and sometimes even performance levels that are beyond those of so-called branded models. Guess the same can be said in the future for the tablet market as ViewSonic prepares to release an an expansion of its tablet family – which is the ViewBook line, and to kick off proceedings, we have the ViewSonic ViewBook 730.

This 7″ tablet device will retail for a highly affordable $249, where it will deliver 1080p video playback right out of the box, where you will need to hook this up via the HDMI connection, while video chatting and conference calling are supported via its front VGA camera. Apart from that, the ViewBook 730 will also sport Amazon Appstore integration, delivering hugely popular games and apps like Twitter and YouTube from the get go. When you use it with the Amazon Kindle software, you will be able to jump straight into the world of e-books, although this display might not be too suitable for long term reading.

Other specifications include a high-resolution 800 x 480 LED backlit display, a stylus, RiteTouch technology, an ARM Cortex-A8 1Ghz processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Sounds like a steal at that price, no? Hopefully the battery life will be able to last the distance, or at least be comparable to its competitors. [Press Release]
source: Ubergizmo

WiFi-Only Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on Sale June 8 Exclusively at Union Square Best Buy in NYC

Samsung just hit us with a reminder that the WiFi-only version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will go on sale at 12PM EDT at the Union Square Best Buy in New York City this Wednesday, June 8th. The exclusive launch comes with a few perks for those that make it out to pick up the latest tablet from Samsung. The first 200 to purchase the Tab 10.1 will receive a free leather case, while the first 50 gain VIP access to a performance by Ne-Yo, the Grammy Award Winning hip-hop star. The performance takes place the same day; a perfect opportunity to flex the video and photo capture capabilities of the Tab 10.1. Who's there?
source: Android Phone

HP TouchPad coming in July with an MSRP of around $600?

Here's yet another rumour for HP's WebOS tablet's release date. If the above document is to be believed, HP's new 9.7-inch tablet will be available at the retailer OfficeMax on July 17th in both 3G and 4G versions — which is a bit puzzling, considering the company hasn't made any mention of WiMAX or LTE compatibility. PreCentral is also getting another screenshot of the big box's database, which corroborates the $600 price tag we've been hearing about for the 32GB model. If this proves true, it'll be another month before we find out whether the slate truly lives up to HP's exceedingly high expectations.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Motorola XOOM hits new highs with 1.7GHz clock speed

The Motorola XOOM, while it isn't exactly the best tablet in the market (far from it with its fair share of issues plaguing the device), has been quite the firm favorite in the homebrew community who not only develop their own apps for it, but have also decided to take more than just a peek underneath the hood to find out whether more performance can be tweaked from the device in order to push it to its limits – and beyond. While we have seen the XOOM touch 1.5GHz in February only to have that mark surpassed at 1.6GHz last month, here we are with a Motorola XOOM that has been overclocked to touch 1.7GHz.�

Of course, this is by no means a stable build, since the XDA-developers forum is abuzz with the fact that said tablet will reboot by itself if your circuits inside are not one of the more “fortunate” ones to be able to be pushed to such an extent. But if it could actually hold out, then you will be able to experience results such as 70 MFLOPS in Linpack, 1480ms runs in SunSpider, and Quadrant scores that will approach 5,000.

Just know that overclocking your device beyond the manufacturer's specifications would definitely incur instability issues, not to mention void your warranty while draining far more battery life than expected.
source: Ubergizmo

Computex 2011: FIC upgrade its Windows 7 Tablet with a new Dual Core CPU

The Tycoon was introduced last year by FIC and last Week the company releases for Computex an upgraded version of the Tycoon with the Tycoon+ TVB01 Series.

This new Tycoon+ TVB01 comes with the same basic features and lines as the previous model as well as runs on Windows 7, but comes now with a 1.5GHz Dual Core Intel ATOM N550 CPU.

Other specs of the Tycoon+ TVB01 includes the usual 1GB of RAM (Max 2GB), a 10.1W LED Backlight capacitive multitouch panel, the choice between a 120GB 1.8" HDD or a 32GB SSD, WiFi BGN, Bluetooth 2.1, 3G and WiMAX...

"According to some market research companies that estimate the global tablet will reach 54 million units shipped in 2011, the sales volume of tablet and other mobile internet devices will grow to 50% market share over the worldwide computer devices. This market begins to crystallize and we can see how the influence of tablet on today's digital life is so big," stated Alex Dee, vice president of Sales, FIC. "FIC has taken a lead in developing tablet amongst the many competitors. The Tycoon+ is created to be high productivity and entertainment for mobile users. It is efficient, and furthermore it provides the outstanding multitasking performance."

Featuring an Intel® Atom™ N550 dual-core processor, the Tycoon+ offers an impressive executive commitment on running any program or working multiple programs smoothly. Benefiting from advanced dual-core technology and improving system performance, FIC's Tycoon+ is designed to provide exceptional functionality for daily mobile computing.

The Tycoon+ comes with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and an optional 3G/WCDMA support. Users can enjoy a high speed internet access anytime at anywhere. Engineered with a Bluetooth interface, Tycoon+ allows transferring the data wirelessly and instantly.

A Broadcom Crystal HD media processor is installed to support the marvelous Full HD 1080p video playback. Moreover, with two high quality stereo sound boxes built-in, the Tycoon+ is perfectly a great multimedia center for extraordinary entertainment.

The Tycoon+ is wrapped on black soft-touch paint in the rear case. Stream end profile with compact design bring out the most luxurious and professional style. "The black soft-touch paint design makes the Tycoon+ stylish and exquisite," said Andy Lo, the Sales and Marketing Director of FIC. "It's the ideal mobile device for business users and offers a comfortable hand grabbing area both in vertical and horizontal position without touching the screen," "It's one of our remarkable masterpieces of product art."

To learn more about FIC and FIC's Tycoon+ tablet, see FIC at Computex 2011, NanGang Exhibition Hall, booth no. M303a or see www.fic.com.tw
source: Akihabara News

Computex 2011: FIC introduces a new Android 2.3 Tablet the Elija

FIC International was proud to introduces several Tablet this year at Computex 2011 and among them the company introduces its first Freescale based i.MX53 (1Ghz) Android 2.3 slate the Elija.

Also known as TFE02 Series, the Elija comes with an ultra thin 11.8mm Body (244.8×191.7×11.8mm) and comes powered by a 1GHz Freescale i.MX53 CPU (Cortex-A8). This 9.7" LED Backlight slate features a 4:3 capacitive Multitouch IPS Panel with a 1024×768 resolution as well as WiFi BGN, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, 3.5G/WiMAX, GPS and HDMI out.

Here as well, FIC decided to choose Android 2.3 instead of Android 3.0 for stabilities reasons.

Finally FIC is schedule to release its Elija across the glob within this year and hope to offer possible Upgrade to Honeycomb as soon as Google release a more stable version of its Android 3.0 OS.

"Elija is created with innovative and revolutionary," says Andy Lo, Director of Sales marketing, FIC. "Fashionable orange deco lines with magnesium alloy grip finish make the Elija the most desirable tablet to play, work and learn at your fingertips," says Andy Lo.

Boasting the Freescale's powerful i.MX53 processor at 1.0GHz and up to 8 hours of battery life, Elija improves the overall system performance and optimizes the best mobile productivity. By adding a dedicated hardware video processor on i.MX53, the Elija is capable of full 1080p video decode with minimal CPU loading for extraordinary multimedia applications. Moreover, it allows users to display the tablet entire content on larger HD screens through a mini HDMI output port. An IPS (in-plane switching) technology is embedded in Elija's brilliant 9.7-inch to deliver a fast response speed and offer a vivid picture quality that displays precise and consistent color for ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle. FIC's Elija brings the enhancement to the Android platform.

FIC's Elija employs a front facing 2 mega-pixel webcam for instant video communication and a rear facing 5 mega-pixel camera for photo taking and high definition video recording, enriching your social network communication and capturing the images to see and be seen. The FIC's Elija is built-in g-sensor, e-compass and gyroscope that deliver console-like gaming enjoyment and versatile applications.

There are three wireless connectivity versions for Elija - the standard version with Wi-Fi, the premium version with both Wi-Fi and 3.5G, and the 4G version with both Wi-Fi and 4G. FIC announces the launch of their Elija tablet embedded with 4G mobile broadband connectivity based on Beceem's BCSM350 single chip solution which delivers a seamless hand-over solution.

Besides, Elija also features an optional GPS function that allows users to find their destination easily. A Mini USB port as well as a Micro SD Card reader is designed in the 11.8mm thick frame that weighs only 650g for providing flexible storage expandability and fast file sharing.

"Slim, light, stylish and functionality make FIC's Elija an exciting portable companion for both work and play," says Andy Lo, Director of Sales marketing, FIC. "We're not only making it a portable entertainment device. Integrating some enhancing solutions, such as Citrix® XenDesktop, a virtual desktop and application which can help enterprise anywhere their users work and AMIMON's WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface™) technology to enable users to wirelessly watch the tablet's content on the HD TVs, FIC's Elija to feature an expandable solution designed for tablets and leverage today's outstanding technology to deliver an entirely different experience."

To learn more about FIC and FIC's Elija tablet, see FIC at Computex 2011, NanGang Exhibition Hall, booth no. M303a or see www.fic.com.tw
source: Akihabara News

Computex 2011: Shuttle is jumping into the Tablet Market with six new models

Shuttle is by fare one of the most respectful company when it comes to Barebones and other compact yet powerful PCs is now jumping into the Android Tablet World with six new devices.

If unfortunately Shuttle will not releases these tablets under its Name, these ODN tablets will however released under different 3rd party brands name all over the world.

These new tablets are divided in two different categories with 3 models dedicated for a common usage including the N07CN01, N09CN01 and N10CN12 that are respectively coming with a 7.1", 9" and 10" screen and all comes powered with a Tegra 250 CPU WXGA resolution, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of eMMC memory.

The 3 other models includes the V08CT01 a ruggedized tablet for education and come powered by an ARM8 TI AM3517 CPU at 600Mhz but overclock to 800MHz as well as fitted with a 8" LED Backlight screen with a 800×600 resolution. While the two last models, the V07CT01 and N10CN13, which comes respectively with a 7.1" WXGA and ARM8 CPU at 800Mhz and a 10.1" WXGA Tegra 250 CPU are dedicated for a business usage and features some business oriented tools and software like Direct Printing for example.

Pricing and availability are here still unknown but Shuttle confirmed us anyway that some of these Android tablet will be available across Europe and North America within this year.
source: Akihabara News

Computex 2011: FIC introduces two new semi-rugged tablets

Alongside the Elija and Tycoon+ TVB01, FIC also introduces two new Semi-Rugged tablets for the B2B market with the Android/Windows CE Carpo-TE00R00 Series and with the Windows 7 based Carpo-KE00R00.

The First model the Carpo-TE00R00 comes powered with a TI DaVinci Cortex-A8 DM3730 CPU at 1GHz, can be offered with 3.5G, GPS, GPRS, RFID as well as a Semi-Rugged waterproof body certified IP54 NEVA 13 and MIL-STD-810G.

Available in different flavor the Carpo-TE00R00 can run Alongside the Elija and Tycoon+ TVB01, FIC also introduces two new Semi-Rugged tablets for the B2B market with the Android/Windows CE Carpo-TE00R00 Series and with the Windows 7 based Carpo-KE00R00.

The First model the Carpo-TE00R00 comes powered with a TI DaVinci Cortex-A8 DM3730 CPU at 1GHz, can be offered with 3.5G, GPS, GPRS, RFID as well as a Semi-Rugged waterproof body certified IP54 NEVA 13 and MIL-STD-810G.

Available in different flavor the Carpo-TE00R00 can run Anddroid 2.2, Windows CE 6.0 or Linux BSP OS.

The Carpo-KE00R00 in the other Hands comes with the same basic design and Semi-Rugged waterproof body that's also happen to be certified IP54 NEVA 13 and MIL-STD-810G, but runs however on an Intel Oak Trail 1.5GHz Z670CPU with SM35 Chipset and Windows 7 Embedded or Pro version.

These two tablets come with a wide range of accessories to be either used in a Car/Truck or as a simple slate in pretty much any kind of environments.

Windows CE 6.0 or Linux BSP OS.

The Carpo-KE00R00 in the other Hands comes with the same basic design and Semi-Rugged waterproof body that's also happen to be certified IP54 NEVA 13 and MIL-STD-810G, but runs however on an Intel Oak Trail 1.5GHz Z670 CPU with SM35 Chipset and Windows 7 Embedded or Pro version.

These two tablets come with a wide range of accessories to be either used in a Car/Truck or as a simple slate in pretty much any kind of environments.
source: Akihabara News

Computex 2011: Shuttle is jumping into the Tablet Market with six new tablets

Shuttle is by fare one of the most respectful company when it comes to Barebones and other compact yet powerful PCs is now jumping into the Android Tablet World with six new devices.

If unfortunately Shuttle will not releases these tablets under its Name, these ODN tablets will however released under different 3rd party brands name all over the world.

These new tablets are divided in two different categories with 3 models dedicated for a common usage including the N07CN01, N09CN01 and N10CN12 that are respectively coming with a 7.1", 9" and 10" screen and all comes powered with a Tegra 250 CPU WXGA resolution, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of eMMC memory.

The 3 other models includes the V08CT01 a ruggedized tablet for education and come powered by an ARM8 TI AM3517 CPU at 600Mhz but overclock to 800MHz as well as fitted with a 8" LED Backlight screen with a 800×600 resolution. While the two last models, the V07CT01 and N10CN13, which comes respectively with a 7.1" WXGA and ARM8 CPU at 800Mhz and a 10.1" WXGA Tegra 250 CPU are dedicated for a business usage and features some business oriented tools and software like Direct Printing for example.

Pricing and availability are here still unknown but Shuttle confirmed us anyway that some of these Android tablet will be available across Europe and North America within this year.
source: Akihabara News

Pixel Qi shows off solar-powered tablets

One of the caveats of using a tablet outdoors is its lack of visibility. At the moment, most tablets don't fare very well when used in bright sunlight, bar the Notion Ink Adam which that makes use of Pixel Qi's special screen that's been developed for use in any lighting condition. Well, the folks behind the daylight-readable screen have decided to take the technology a step further.

Pixel Qi has managed to develop a system that can keep a tablet powered by the sun alone. Using a low-cost solar panel ($3) that generates 1W of power, it can be used to power a specially designed tablet that consumes 1W or less. The tablet makes use of Pixel Qi's low-power consumption, sunlight-readable displays which complement each other perfectly. Spending a day out at the beach? You won't have to worry about your tablet running out of power - at least until the sun starts to set (just make sure you don't get your tablet wet - unless it is waterproof as well). The solar panels could also be embedded in the bezel of a tablet, making use of the space that's normally unused and a waste of real estate.
source: Ubergizmo

Motorola Xoom pushed to 1.7GHz for the lulz

Is ARM processor powerful and capable of matching Intel's mobile processor? Oh why yes, that is if you're lucky enough to have bought the magical silicon that is.

If the dual-core Tegra 2 in your Motorola Xoom is of the plain Jane personality, then it'll just reboot frantically if you pushed her over the limit. But if you're the lucky son of the bitch that managed to push your Motorola Xoom to a whopping 1.7GHz, then you'll be treated to a benchmark-blitzing rig, reportedly capable of 70 MFLOPS in Linpack, 1480ms runs in SunSpider, and Quadrant scores approaching a smooth 5,000.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7100 Coming June 8, Starts at $499

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7100 features a 10.1-inch multitouch 1280x800 display and runs Google Android 3.1 "Honeycomb" OS with access to Android Market. The tablet sports a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra dual-core processor, 802.11n Wi-Fi, 4G LTE mobile broadband, and Bluetooth connections, 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, a rear 3MP and front 2MP camera, 1080p HD video playback capability, stereo "surround" speakers, and a 7000 mAh battery providing up to 9 hours of battery life.

According to Samsung, "the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world" is 0.33 inch thin and weighs 1.25 pounds.

On June 8th, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi edition P7100 will be on sale at the Best Buy Union Square in New York. Starting June 17, it will be available via Best Buy website and in their stores, as well as at other retailers such as Amazon, Fry's, Newegg, Micro Center, and Tiger Direct. They will carry the 16GB version for $499 and 32GB version for $599. In addition, the Wi-Fi Tab 10.1 will be available through Sprint starting mid-summer. Regarding mobile broadband version, Verizon will offer 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 16GB and 32GB models for $529.99 $629.99 respectively, with two-year customer agreements. The tablet will be available in coming weeks via Verizon, with pre-orders starting on June 8th.

Source

Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Android 3.1 won't be delayed?

Earlier today there were rumors from Eldar Murtazin saying that the Android 3.1 version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 tablets in Europe would be delayed until August. With such a huge delay between the announcement of Android 3.1 and the arrival of the operating system on the tablets, obviously a lot of folks weren't happy. After all, the Motorola Xoom already has the update, and Verizon is also supposedly releasing the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE this summer, also packing Android 3.1.

Well, the folks over at BGR didn't believe the rumors and decided to reach out to Google instead. And it seems that Google has confirmed to them that such rumors aren't true. I guess it looks like the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 with Android 3.1 will be arriving on time after all. Then again, you'll never know what “last minute changes” might pop up, so keep those fingers crossed for now - at least until you see those tablets in retail outlets. In the meantime, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet.
source: Ubergizmo

AMD Releases Z-01 Fusion APU for Tablets

As a part of 2011 AMD HD Tablet Platform, the AMD Z-01 APU model incorporates dual "Bobcat" CPU cores at 1GHz, the Radeon HD 6250 graphics, and 1080p HD decoder, all together consuming 5.9 Watts of power.

The “Desna” Z-01 has similar specs to the netbook-use “Ontario” C-50. The main difference is that Z-01 has Turbo Core feature that boosts clock speed of a single core when an application doesn't use both cores, improving computing performance. It's similar to Intel's TurboBoost technology.

The first announced tablet with the AMD Z-01 is the MSI WinPad 110W.

Source

Sprint BlackBerry PlayBook to arrive this June 5th

The BlackBerry PlayBook has already been around for some time already, but while it boasts of solid hardware, the same cannot be said where software is concerned. After all, this just goes to reinforce the point that we have been sharing all this while – there is value in the software more than the hardware, which explains why seemingly inferior devices would do better in the market if they have the right kind of software backing them up, and vice versa. Well, the latest news involving the BlackBerry PlayBook would be to see it arrive via Sprint this coming June 5th – we know, that is just a couple of days away, but the word came from Sprint's Market Director Gerald Evans himself.

The much anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with Wi-Fi connectivity and 16 GB of storage will go on sale in all Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, www.sprint.com and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) on Sunday, June 5, for $499.99 (plus tax).

That was what Gerald mentioned on his personal blog, so right now we just have to sit tight and wait for an official announcement from RIM or Sprint themselves, or both.
source: Ubergizmo

Intel Medfield-Based Tablets Coming in H1 2012

Medfield is their first platform specially designed for tablets and smartphones. It will enable sub-9mm tablets with a weight of less than 1.5 pounds and an all-day battery life. Midfield will support various operating systems, including Android and MeeGo.

“The platform has been optimized for both low power and high performance, and will deliver a great all around experience, including long use-time, rich media and gaming, and advanced imaging capabilities,” Intel says.

Medfield is based on 32nm production technology.

Source (.pdf)

Android 3.1 on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 not delayed

There were rumors floating around earlier today that Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 tablets in Europe running Google's Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS were delayed until August, but Google has confirmed to us that that isn't true. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will launch next week with Android 3.1 and the Motorola XOOM has already received the Android 3.1 update. Verizon Wireless is also close to launching the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE which is set for a “summer” launch running, you guessed it, Android 3.1.
source: Boy Genius Report

Sahara Slate PC i500: the world's most powerful tablet

TabletKiosk, a manufacturer known for creating tablets, has just announced the launch of the Sahara Slate PC i500. The newest generation in the company's flagship line of tablets, and touted to be the world's most powerful tablet. Running on Microsoft Windows 7 professional, the Sahara Slate PC i500 packs an Intel Core i7-640LM vPro processor, a 12″ dual mode display that can switch between a pen mode and resistive/multi-capacitive mode - depending on what users want to use the tablet for, talk about versatile.

The tablet is also built to be expandable, with users given the choice to upgrade and customize the tablet to how they want it so they don't end up paying for features they don't need. The Sahara Slate PC i500 is targeted at different sectors including healthcare, gaming and hospitality - a tablet meant for pretty much everyone. It even has enhanced security features with high-level encryption capability to keep your data safe and secure in the event it ends up in the hands of the wrong people. No prices have been revealed, but you can find out more about the tablet at the Sahara Slate PC i500 website.
source: Ubergizmo

Is Nokia Making a Tablet? Sounds Like It!

While every major electronics company have already ridden the tablet bandwagon, we have yet to hear whether or not Nokia would develop their very own tablet computer.

In a conference at D9, Nokia's CEO Stephen Elop gave this somewhat cryptic response to a question about tablets: “I'm not going to announce a tablet here today. But as a high-level point, there's a connected digital experience will increasingly define what consumers are looking for. It's important for us to play across that space. We have to address that whole space.”

If Nokia will not make a tablet, he simply would have said no or, as CrunchGear puts it, “right now we're focused on the mobile sector.” Do you think Nokia will be making a tablet device? Leave us a response!
source: Gadget.com

Archos Generation 9 Honeycomb tablets to be unveiled at Paris, France

It makes perfect sense for Paris, the city of love, to host an event that will see the launch of a particular range of devices that the world is currently in love with – after all, how else can one explain the phenomenal growth of tablets without the segment showing no signs of abating? We are very sure that the Apple iPad's design and ease of use have helped the tablet cause amongst the masses considerably, but that doesn't mean its competitors are not learning the ropes to catch up and eventually, overtaking Cupertino if and where possible. Archos from France is one such company, releasing portable media players in the past with a slew of new Generation 9 Honeycomb tablets at a Paris event this coming June 23rd.

It is said that Archos' third Android slate will run on an 1.6GHz ARM A9 dual-core chip as well as feature an integrated 3G modem, which means it intends you to go online wherever and whenever you feel like it without subjecting yourself to the mercies of a possible Wi-Fi network.
source: Ubergizmo

Wi-Fi Blackberry Playbook coming to Sprint June 5th according to Sprint Executive

Sprint will be launching the Wi-Fi version of the Blackberry Playbook this Sunday according to the twitter page of Spring Marketing Director Gerald Evans.

Evans' blog reported that the 16GB Wi-Fi Playbook will be sold for $499 at Sprint retail stores and online. Gerald also stated that Sprint will have a 4G version of the tablet sometime later this year.

We got excited a few days ago that Sprint might be releasing the WiMax edition of the tablet soon after finding the web address now.Sprint.com/PlayBook. Unfortunately, that was only for the Wi-Fi edition of the tablet.

It doesn't make much sense to me on why Sprint even bothers to carry the Wi-Fi edition since the version they are selling is the same as one found in Radioshack or one found online. It looks as though we will have to wait a little while until the Blackberry Playbook WiMax is released, but until then, we can play with our new Sprint Wi-Fi Playbook.
source: Unwired View

Huawei teases us with the MediaPad

Picking up cues from ASUS' teasing campaign they pulled off last week for the Padfone, Huawei has also on in the mysterious tablet game, except that Huawei isn't as mysterious as ASUS' giving us a full-frontal shot of the tablet, as well as a side view. Judging by the objects around the tablet, it looks like it's going to be pretty small, relative to a tea cup and a watch. Huawei also claims “the MediaPad is our smartest, smallest and lightest tablet ever - guaranteed to transform the consumer's entertainment experience”.

Other than that we have no clues to what it could be. We're thinking a mini, slim, entertainment-focused Android tablet. Since Huawei has been doing pretty well in the budget phone sector, let's see how well they can handle the tablet market. Stay tuned for more details when the tablet is revealed.
source: Ubergizmo

Computex 2011: ViewSonic Introduces the ViewPad 7x Series, the world first 7' Android 3.0 Tablet

Here you are what could be the world first 7" Android 3.0 or Honeycomb Tablet, the ViewPad 7x Series! Running Android 3.0.1, this new slate comes with a 7x1024×600 screen, the usual Tegra 2 Dual Core CPU, a pair of Camera, HDMI out in just 380g! Tempting? You Bet! And if I am telling you that this bad-ass will also includes HSPA+ I am sure that you will start saving money immediately to get one as soon as they start to be available!
source: Akihabara News

Computex 2011: Gigabyte unleashes the S1080 Windows 7 tablets with USB 3.0 and ODD Docking Station

Here you are the S1080, Gigabyte new Window 7 Tablet that made its first official apparition to the world this week at Computex! This S1080 comes with a 10.1" capacitive touchscreen, an Intel Atom N570 CPU with 2GB of Ram, 320GB of HDD, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi BGN, 3G a 1.3Mpix Camera and a docking station that gives our little S1080 both an optical Drive and USB 3.0! The S1080 will be available worldwide within June at something around 700 USD!
source: Akihabara News

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 launches at Best Buy in NYC, national availability soon

While Samsung and Google gave out limited edition Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 units to Google I/O attendees, the general public hasn't yet been able to get their hands on one of the thinnest Android Honeycomb tablets to date - and, coincidentally, one of our favorite. Today, Samsung announced that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available exclusively at the Union Square Best Buy store in New York, NY starting on June 8th, with availability expanding to all Best Buy locations on June 17th. The Galaxy Tab 10.1, the world's thinnest tablet, will be available starting at $499 for the 16GB model, with the 32GB model coming in at $599. The full press release is after the break.

Updated with revised press release.

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, World's Thinnest Mobile Tablet,

Makes Official Landing in U.S.

Premium Android Honeycomb Tablet with Ultra-slim, Lightweight Design and Brilliant

10-inch Touchscreen Available Exclusively at Best Buy Union Square Store in New York City Starting June 8; Available Nationwide Starting June 17

DALLAS, June 2, 2011 - Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S., and Samsung Electronics America, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the upcoming retail availability of the Galaxy Tab™ 10.1, starting June 8. The WiFi-enabled tablet measures at just 8.6 millimeters slim, making it the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world. The 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for $599, while the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499.

A limited quantity of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available for purchase exclusively at the Best Buy Union Square store in New York City on June 8. Best Buy customers may also pre-order the Galaxy Tab 10.1 online or in-store beginning that day.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is powered by Android™ 3.1, Honeycomb offering faster and smoother transitions between different applications, more intuitive navigation to and from home screens and broader support of USB accessories, external keyboards, joysticks and gamepads.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the thinnest mobile tablet currently available in the world, measuring in at an ultra-slim 8.6 millimeters. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also boasts an incredibly light weight of just 1.25 pounds (565 grams) for outstanding mobility and comfort in the user's hands.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is designed with a brilliant 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display with WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution delivering vibrant colors and crisp clarity. This expansive screen is centered inside a narrow bezel to enhance the wide viewing angle.

"Ensuring that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 launched with Android 3.1 Honeycomb was part of our constant commitment to meeting the needs of our customers," said Dale Sohn, President and CEO of Samsung Mobile. "The Galaxy Tab 10.1's ultra-thin design and 10-inch touchscreen are impressive differentiators in the tablet market place. We're going to make the Galaxy Tab 10.1 even more powerful, entertaining and secure through a series of upgrades coming to this device."

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will receive these new upgrades through a software update that customers can access over the air in the near future. Those upgrades are currently scheduled to include:

Customized User Experience "Samsung TouchWiz UX"

Samsung's TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu for customizing the home screen of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.

In addition, the TouchWiz UX includes a "Mini Apps" tray of commonly used features such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other major applications are already in use.

Samsung Media Hub

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 software upgrade will introduce the evolution of Samsung's popular movie and TV content service, known as Media Hub. Media Hub has been redesigned with a new user interface for even easier downloads of rented or purchased content. The new version of Media Hub also includes an HD Extender which allows the user to playback Media Hub content on TV through an HDMI cable from the Galaxy Tab 10.1 dock or adaptor.

Readers Hub & Social Hub

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also gain access to Samsung's Readers Hub service, which is a robust library filled with more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers and 2,300 magazines. Also, the software upgrade will install Samsung's Social Hub service, which aggregates email, instant messaging, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.

Versatile Content Sharing

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 will also receive Samsung's Allshare service, for seamless content transfer between the tablet and other DLNA-enabled devices such as HDTV's, monitors and digital cameras. The software upgrade will also transform the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 into a device capable of accepting streaming content from a TV to the tablet itself.

Impressive Speed, Power & Battery Life

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to deliver rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also includes a Nvidia Tegra 1GHz dual core application processor for powerful gaming and multimedia performance. The Tab's ultra-thin design does not sacrifice battery life, thanks to a 7000 mAh battery providing up to 9 hours of continuous use on a single charge.

Full Adobe Flash Player Compatibility

The device offers extensive Web browsing access through Adobe® Flash® Player compatibility. Flash Player delivers beautiful HD video, faster graphics rendering, and high performance on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and is designed to take advantage of native device capabilities — enabling richer, more immersive user experiences.

Optimal Enterprise Solutions

In addition, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 integrates several enterprise solutions to provide support for exchange device management policies, improve the security of data and services maintained on the tablet and meet IT guidelines for remote device access. The enterprise solutions include:

On-device encryption of user data
Cisco AnyConnect SSL VPN
F5 SSL VPN

Enhanced Exchange ActiveSync Support


Quality Cameras and Sound

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 3 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera providing smooth video chat capabilities and seamless 1080p HD video playback. High quality speakers are positioned on the right and left sides of the device for a rich, deep audio experience.

Google™ Mobile Services

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is preloaded with the full suite of Google Mobile Services including access to more than 60,000 Android Market™ applications for Galaxy Tab 10.1, Gmail™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ 5.0 with 3D maps, and Google Talk™ with video and voice chat.

Availability & Pricing

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition will be available exclusively starting June 8 at the Best Buy Union Square location in New York City. Starting June 17, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available at Best Buy online and in-store along with Fry's Electronics, Amazon.com, Micro Center, Tiger Direct and Newegg. These retail outlets will have the 32GB version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition available for $599, and the 16GB version of the device will be available for $499. In addition, the WiFi version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available through Sprint starting mid-summer 2011. Visit www.samsung.com for additional details.
source: Boy Genius Report

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Drop Exclusively in NYC

Samsung announced Thursday morning that its latest Android tablet is slated for release next week, but initially only to Manhattan-based customers.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the shelves in New York City's Union Square Best Buy on June 8, exclusively available from the store for over a week. The tablet won't roll out in wider release until ten days later, on June 17.

Initially available in a Wi-Fi only version, the new Galaxy Tab's price is on par with Apple's iPad 2 Wi-Fi version; Both cost $500 for 16 GB of storage, and $600 for the 32 GB model.

Verizon announced there will also be a 4G version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on its LTE network, available for pre-order on June 8. Though the company hasn't given a ship date for 4G tablets pre-ordered that day, it's interesting to think that Samsung will be the first to release a 4G-capable device.

Motorola's Xoom — the flagship tablet for Android's tablet-optimized Honeycomb operating system — promised 4G connectivity on Verizon's network, but didn't launch with it. Xoom owners are waiting to mail in their devices for a 4G upgrade, though Motorola and Verizon haven't announced when the process will begin.

4G-enabled versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 cost $530 and $630 for the 16 and 32 GB models, respectively.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 enters the already-clogged tablet market with a list of specs similar to others. It's powered by Nvidia's dual-core Tegra 2 processor, has front and back-facing cameras, and as the name suggests, a 10.1-inch display.

But with a svelte 8.6 mm waist, Samsung's is currently the thinnest tablet offering from manufacturers, even skinnier than the iPad 2's 8.8 mm. And unlike a number of other devices we've seen, the new tablet will ship with Android version 3.1 (Honeycomb). Currently, the Xoom is the only device running Android 3.1.
source: Gadget Lab

ViewSonic ViewPad 7x Tablet

With many new devices and gadgets being offered at the recently held Computex 2011 in Taiwan, it seems that the new tablets being offered have stood out on their own. It has become a battle between the new Android tablets, with the rapidly increasing market presence of those Windows tablets. As for the former, ViewSonic has introduced what is said to be the very first 7 inch tablet running on Android 3.0, the ViewPad 7x tablet.

The ViewSonic ViewPad 7x is built on top the current ViewPad 7 tablets. But this time the ViewPad 7x tablets run on the Honeycomb or the Android 3.0 tablet OS. As introduced, the new ViewPad 7x tablet is powered by a Tegra 2 Dual Core CPU,a 7 inch 1024x600 touchscreen, a pair of cameras and HDMI output. This new ViewPad tablet also weighs just 380g. It is also said that the ViewPad 7x will come with HSPA+ support. It is currently up on Computex 2011 for exhibit. No information yet on when it will be made available in the market and how much this tablet will cost.
source: Gadget.com

Acer to launch a Meego tablet at the end of the year

There's the Windows 7 Iconia Tab W500, and there's the Honeycomb Iconia Tab A500, and now Acer's ready for yet another Iconia Tab, the M500. But what does the 'M' stands for? Well, it's Meego!

When Nokia announced that they're going to develop phones running on Windows Phone 7, it seemed as if Meego is going to die, but funnily, it won't.

Over at Computex it seems the OS might not be left to languish after all. Asus announced plans to release a $200 EeePC running Meego and now Acer is getting in on the action with the promise of a Meego-based Iconia tablet.

During Intel's Computex keynote today, Assistant VP for Information Technology at Acer, David Lee, was on hand to introduce the company's new M Series line. Running Meego and based on Intel's Moorestown processor, the first addition is the M500. Eagle-eyed Acer fans will note that this product number is just one character away from the 10-inch A500's product name. Acer was rather stingy with the details about the M500, so we don't know for certain if it is the same as the A500, but with Moorestown and Meego instead of Tegra 2 and Honeycomb. However, we do know that it's got the same 10-inch (1280×800) display, along with a 5-megapixel camera in the rear and a front-facing camera up front. Based on this, we think it's pretty safe to assume they're very similar devices, if not the same.

The M500's version of Meego is customized with an Acer skin that will provide access to the most used apps and features right on the homepage. No word on pricing or release just yet, but Acer is saying that the tablet is set for launch at the end of the year.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 out this June 8th

Samsung has just announced that they will be rolling out their spanking new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet from June 8th onwards in the US at all good participating retail stores near you. Equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, this tablet is really slim at 8.6mm in thickness, making it the thinnest of its kind in the world at the moment. Just in case you were wondering how far you can stretch that dollar of yours, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will come in 16GB and 32GB capacities, retailing for $599 and $499, respectively. Bear in mind that those prices apply to the Wi-Fi only models.

Ever wondered whether you should get the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 or not? Well, this is clearly an interesting choice apart from the more obvious one, which is the iPad 2, but if you do have any questions, do go through our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 review and leave a comment there – hopefully the review is thorough enough to make sure all your nagging questions are answered in the first place anyways.
source: Ubergizmo

Computex 2011: Booktop T1125P a Laptop, Convertible Tablet and Desktop in One!

Gigabyte has unveiled at Computex the Booktop T1125P a new All In One Laptop that is unfortunately only available so far for the Taiwanese/Chinese market.

The T1125P is not your ordinary laptop but a true 3 in 1 solution that incudes a powerful Core i3/i5 ULV compact laptop, but also a tablet (Convertible) fitted with a 11.6 multitouch capacitive screen and a really capable desktop thanks to a unique charging docking station that includes, a DVD Super Multi Drive HDMI, USB 2.0 and D-SUB!

The T1125P comes with an NVIDIA GeForce 410M with 1GB of VRAM, a 3.5G Model and THX TruStudio Pro Speakers.
source: Akihabara News

Verizon intros LTE-ready Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Not that we didn't see this coming, but Verizon has officially unveiled its own version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which will be 4G / LTE-enabled, and should become available "in the coming weeks."

The prices of the new tablet are as follows: $529.99 for the 16GB version, and $629.99 for the 32GB one (both requiring a new 2-yr contract agreement). A bit on the expensive side, or isn't it?

Anyway, you can check out the Tab 10.1 here at Verizon.

Running Android Honeycomb, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is one of the thinnest tablets ever (8.6mm), and comes with two cameras, GPS, and a dual-core 1GHz processor. A Wi-Fi-only Tab 10.1 should be also available in the US starting June 8 (not from Verizon, though).
source: Unwired View

Toshiba Thrive now official

We have heard a lot of rumors about Toshiba's upcoming Android tablet ever since CES, but today we have found out some concrete details from Toshiba itself.

Toshiba confirmed this morning that the tablet will be called the Thrive and that the pre-ordering will begin next week. The Thrive is priced at $429 for 8GB, $479 for 16GB, $579 for 32GB. That's a pretty solid price for a device that is shipped with Android 3.1, has a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, and features an IPS display. Other attractive features are the full sized HDMI and USB ports and the ability to swap out the back of the tablet and replace it with a color you like.

Toshiba is smart and isn't doing much to change the stock Android experience on the tablet. They are simply adding their Resolution+ brightening technology and a better file manager as well as some third party apps pre-installed including QuickOffice and LogMeIn.

The Thrive will start shipping early July, but Toshiba also mentioned that they would release another Android tablet with a different screen size at some point later in the year. Let us know what you think of the Toshiba Thrive in the comments section below.
source: Unwired View

mobile device blogs pc tablet retail store market radioshack sold for version Wi-Fi Blackberry Playbook coming to Sprint June 5th according to Sprint Executive

Sprint will be launching the Wi-Fi version of the Blackberry Playbook this Sunday according to the twitter page of Spring Marketing Director Gerald Evans.

Evans' blog reported that the 16GB Wi-Fi Playbook will be sold for $499 at Sprint retail stores and online. Gerald also stated that Sprint will have a 4G version of the tablet sometime later this year.

We got excited a few days ago that Sprint might be releasing the WiMax edition of the tablet soon after finding the web address now.Sprint.com/PlayBook. Unfortunately, that was only for the Wi-Fi edition of the tablet.

It doesn't make much sense to me on why Sprint even bothers to carry the Wi-Fi edition since the version they are selling is the same as one found in Radioshack or one found online. It looks as though we will have to wait a little while until the Blackberry Playbook WiMax is released, but until then, we can play with our new Sprint Wi-Fi Playbook.
source: Unwired View

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Android 3.1 update now rolling out in Europe

One of the more interesting Android-powered tablets that have hit the streets this year running Android Honeycomb is certainly the Asus Eee Pad Transformer with its keyboard dock that allows it to be both tablet and netbook, according to your needs. And people seem to have appreciated Asus' thinking out of the box on this, since this tablet has been selling very well everywhere it's been launched (of course, the decent price surely helped too).

A few weeks ago, we heard that the Eee Pad Transformer would be updated to Android 3.1, the latest version of Honeycomb, sometime in June. Android 3.1 was announced during Google's annual I/O conference last month, and was first rolled out to Motorola's Xoom tablets. The update doesn't bring many new features, but there are many UI refinements in it, USB host mode is now supported, the Recent Apps list has been expanded, widgets are resizeable, and support for external keyboards, mice, joysticks and gamepads is in.

Asus has kept its word and announced, via Twitter, that the Android 3.1 update for European Eee Pad Transformer tablets has started rolling out over-the-air today. That means that you should have already been notified by your tablet that an update is available. If not, be patient, as it may still take a while for the update to reach your tablet.

Updating doesn't require connecting the Eee Pad Transformer to a computer. The tablet will download the necessary files itself, then install them.
source: Unwired View

Huawei MediaPad tablet set to be unveiled in June

Our favourite Chinese tech manufacturer is teasing the release of a new tablet, which it claims will be its “smallest” and “lightest” tablet release so far. The company's “next-generation smart device” will be shown off to media on June 20th, before making an appearance at the CommunicAsia 2011 show.

There's no specific mention of Android in the announcement or image…

…but it must be, right? Huawei isn't going to go all Windows 7 on us now, is it? Plus no buttons at all usually means Android 3.0.
source: Eurodroid

Huawei to announce MediaPad tablet at CommunicAsia

Huawei has just announced its plans to present a new tablet called MediaPad at the upcoming CommunicAsia expo in Singapore. It will most probably run on Android and will be part of their IDEOS lineup.

While the hard facts are scarce at this time, at least we have press photos of the tablet.

Huawei claims that "the MediaPad is our smartest, smallest and lightest tablet ever – guaranteed to transform the consumer’s entertainment experience".

Whether this will come true or not, we’ll know on June 20, a day before the CommunicAsia kicks in Singapore.
source: GSM Arena

Huawei to unveil new MediaPad tablet at CommunicAsia 2011

Without providing much more detail than calling it their “smartest, smallest and lightest tablet ever,” Huawei has announced they will be unveiling a new tablet on June 20th as part of CommunicAsia 2011 in Singapore. The tablet, to be called the MediaPad, will be showcased on site and as part of a live global webcast that will detail Huawei's current business plans, open the floor to questions, and demonstrate the new slate and other products. The only other thing we were provided with were the images above and below. We're better Huawei gets this thing in at a budget price, but will it feature such luxuries as Android Honeycomb or a dual-core processor?
source: Android Phone

European Eee Transformer gets official Android 3.1 update TODAY

Well that was quick. The popular Asus Eee Pad Transformer Android tablet has started receiving its official update to the very latest Android 3.1 version of the tablet OS, with update notifications hitting European Transformers right now.

It's an over-the-air update, too.

Thanks to reader Peter for the tip, who couldn't resist getting in a dig at the poor XOOM owners out there…

Android 3.1 Update Arriving for the Asus Transformer

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is a hit for more reasons than just its price tag. Reports are surfacing around the web that the hard-to-find Honeycomb slate is starting to receive its upgrade to Android 3.1, the latest version of the tablet OS introduced at this year's Google I/O. The update comes quickly on the heels of that announcement and before even some Motorola XOOM owners get their taste (the update was announced to arrive on the XOOM first). Android 3.1 brings along USB accessory support among other things, and its availability on the Transformer should serve only to make the tablet more popular.
source: Android Phone

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 comes to the office, makes calls

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 has just arrived in our office and, boy, do we have some news for you. It turns out that the Honeycomb slate takes on from where its 7” predecessor left off, and brings native telephony capabilities to an even larger form factor.

Yeap, we are talking regular GSM network phone calls and even some video-calls if you wish. There’s no dialer on board, but you can either get a 3rd party app from the market (as we did), or use your contacts list for initiating calls.

Much like with the 7” Galaxy Tab, you can either use the built-in microphone and speakerphones, a handsfree plugged into the 3.5mm audio jack, or a Bluetooth handsfree for calling. Pretty cool, eh?

But of course telephony is not why people would go for the Galaxy Tab 8.9. The reason why people would probably choose the ultra-slim tablet is the great mix of portability and functionality that it offers. Despite being as powerful as its larger competitors, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 comes in a shell that’s way more portable and easier to handle (due to the reduced weight and unbelievably slim waistline).

Anyway we shouldn’t be getting ahead of ourselves here. We’ll see if the Galaxy Tab 8.9 will manage to live up to the high expectations when the review is created. In the meantime, feel free to check out how it compares to its larger brother and the iPad 2 on paper.
source: GSM Arena

Asus Padfone – an Android phone within an Android tablet

The Asus Padfone is two devices in one. A 4.3″ Android phone, which slots inside a tablet chassis to become a 10.1″ tablet when you need more screen space. It's the craziest thing. Here's a snippet from Asus explaining the thinking:

This convergent device combines a smartphone and a tablet computer into one symbiotic gadget that allows consumers to choose the screen size that best fits their activities while seamlessly sharing data and 3G internet access.

We weren't going to mention it due to it being TOO BONKERS to comprehend, until this fantastic promotional image popped up:

She'll regret those tattoos in later life.
source: Eurodroid

ASUS officially launches the Padfone

After a week of teasing the public with snapshots of a mysterious upcoming device rumored to be called the Padfone, ASUS has finally pulled down the curtains and showed off to the world what they were talking about. The Padfone is basically a combination of two devices - a phone and a tablet. Imagine the Motorola Atrix - but instead of having a laptop dock to plug your phone in, make it a tablet dock instead and you get the Padfone.

The Padfone allows users to plug their ASUS smartphone into the tablet dock which gives it a larger screen, extended battery life, making it easier to watch movies, browse websites, read emails, all on a larger screen. The phone will contain the SIM card, storage space, and basically all the files, so there's no hassle of having to transfer anything from the phone to the tablet or vice versa when using it in either mode. Seems like a pretty interesting way to implement the phone functionality in a tablet, though I can see not many people wanting to spend a fortune on a tablet that can't do anything without a phone - ASUS will have to price this one right for it to succeed.
source: Ubergizmo