HP 7″ tablet arriving this August?

While HP's 9.7″ TouchPad has yet to hit the stores (July 1st for those not in the know), it looks like the company already has a successor planned. According to reports from CENS.com, a Taiwanese Economics news website - Inventec Corp, a major manufacturer of personal computers in Taiwan, has received orders from HP to start producing 400,000 to 450,000 TouchPad tablets. But in addition to the 9.7″ webOS 3.0 tablet, the company has also been reported to be supplying HP with a 7″ tablet that will be released in August.

No other details about the 7″ tablets were revealed, but it would be safe to assume that they would just be smaller versions of the TouchPad - probably for users who don't need the bulk of carrying a large tablet, but still want a display larger than their smartphones. If that turns out to be the case, will you be waiting for the 7″ tablet or will you be picking up the larger TouchPad when it drops next month?
source: Ubergizmo

Living with the Motorola Xoom

Julie got the first look at the Xoom, and did a couple of excellent posts on it including a First Looks and the full review. If you are wanting the complete run down on the tablet I highly recommend these posts. And, as always on The Gadgeteer, the comments are full of great additions as well.

Julie may have received it first, but I got to spend a long time with mine, so I wanted to share my observations. Also, she did such an excellent job with the nuts and bolts, I will focus on more general observations.

The Xoom is certainly not the first tablet. There have been a few based on the Android OS that even predate the iPad, but it was the first that ran Honeycomb. This is designed from the ground up to be a tablet OS. If you are used to Android, it's not a big change, but there are some adjustments.

There are no buttons on the front. The power button is on the back, and a rocker volume button is on the side. I like buttons, but I was all right with it after a while. You do have a toolbar visible at the bottom of every screen:

The first icon takes you back, the second icon takes you to the home screen and the third displays the recent applications. If the current page of the application has a menu, a grid icon can be touched to display the menu. On the right side you have icons for any notifications. On this screen the first is the debugging notice (I use that to grab screens), the second tells me Words With Friends is ready for my next move, then you have the current time, signal strength and battery level.

If you tap the settings, you can see more information:

Tapping the settings icon (sliders underneath the time) gives you access to common settings.

So two taps takes you to a screen to control Airplane Mode, access Wireless settings, turn on/off auto-rotate, set brightness, turn off notifications and finally get to all the Settings.

The ability to turn off notifications is a great feature. Especially if you are using it as a reader. Late at night, my wife can deal with the glow of light, but is not a fan of the occasional alert tones.

Apps designed to take advantage of the new real estate on the display really shine. Of course Gmail embraces it:

I really like the layout in landscape. I have my inbox on the left, and the contents of the e-mail on the right.

One of the first applications designed for tablets was the CNN app. Once again, a nice use of the layout:

Battery Life

I thought the battery life was good. I mean, after all, I need to sleep sometime. Even while playing some intensive games (like AirAttack HD) I was at 2-1x3 days before wanting to recharge:

Reading actually took the most out of my battery, since the screen was on the whole time. This was one of the worse results:

One disappointing thing about the Xoom is you cannot charge via USB. This is a big deal for me, I have far too many adapters to track as it is. However, I think this is the current state of tablets. I assume the batteries are too big to efficiently charge via USB. I just wish it was an option for when you find yourself without the adapter.

The Home Pages

If you are used to iOS, you may be confused by the home screens in Android. With Honeycomb, when you download an application from the market it does add it to a page for you (unlike previous Android releases). But the icons you see on pages are just shortcuts, not the apps. Managing this is very easy, and I am still a widget fan:

Form Factor

You know what I want? A tiny tablet that will fit in my change pocket and expand to give me a 17″ display. Yeah, we are not there yet. To me this is always about tradeoffs. I love my Sony Reader that conveniently fits into my coat and jacket pocket. The Xoom won't. But the screen real estate is great. I still would like to try a smaller tablet on for size. I am just not convinced I want one this big. It is also heavy. However, it has a great display and a sturdy feel. I am a big fan of the rubberized finish, and have become accustomed to the size. I've now borrowed and read most of the first three books of the the Songs of Ice and Fire series on the Xoom. So I guess that speaks to the form factor issue. However, since returning it I have returned to my PRS-700 Sony Reader, and have been enjoying its weight, size and portability. I am still a fan of e-ink for reading, but the display on the Xoom was very acceptable for reading.

Half-Baked? One of the complaints about the Xoom is that it was rushed to market, and is half-baked. It does appear rushed, but I think it is more like 7x8ths baked. Yeah, I kind of made that up. But still, it would be nice if it shipped with 4G and the SD card enabled, however the fact that it can be upgraded to 4G and the SD Card slot will be activated with an update makes it less of a big deal for me. It did not ship with Flash capability, but that is already fixed. And 4G and SD card capability will never be coming to the iPad or iPad2.

Bottom Line

Is it worth it? Will I buy one? The answer to both is maybe. I like it more than I expected to. It is a great tool for surfing the web, working on e-mail, using twitter and reading. Do I need it? No. Do I want it? Yes. The issue to me is the cost. If you can justify the purchase I think it is a great choice in the tablet space. If I had the money, and had to choose one now, I would be getting this. Am I saying it is better than the iPad? No. I haven't used an iPad for any length of time, and trying to label one “best” is pointless to me. It's just a better device for me than the iPad.
source: The Gadgeteer

First 4G Android Tablet With Netflix Launches on Outdated OS

It's a big day of firsts for Sprint. The carrier launched its first Android tablet on Friday compatible with the new 4G “Wi-Max” network. The device is also the first Android tablet out there capable of running Netflix.

Unfortunately, despite being first in line for 4G and Netflix, Sprint's HTC Evo View tablet ships with the older version of Android: 2.3 (Gingerbread), not version 3.0 (Honeycomb). A future software update will bring Honeycomb, the version of Android made specifically for tablets, to the device.

That speaks to a larger problem of “fragmentation” on Android devices: the inability to implement the platform consistently across multiple types of hardware made by different manufacturers. Fragmentation is also the key reason why Android tablets have been slow to getting popular video-streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu onto its devices. It presents a problem for making sure that Digital Rights Management technologies — or applications that make sure you aren't ripping and recording any of the streaming content you're watching — function across all devices.

“It's not one type of gas that goes into every vehicle,” said Netflix head of communications Steve Swasey, in an interview. “DRM isn't consistent across all Android devices, and unlike the iPad and iOS devices, there's not one universal solution to it.”

Nonetheless, the HTC Evo View 4G's compatibility with Wi-Max will be a significant for those who want to watch streaming media on their tablet devices, as the speed boost you'll get moving from a 3G device to 4G is considerable.

The even better news for movie buffs: Unlike the multiple Android tablets that have already hit the market this year, it's the first Android tablet to run Netflix at launch. The device will essentially come pre-bundled with the Netflix app (after a minor software update upon first powering up the tablet). As of today, only five Android phones are officially capable of running the Netflix app.

“This is a result of extensive testing of the Netflix app on the product to make sure it works smoothly on our network,” a Sprint spokeswoman told Wired.com.

Most tablets released in 2011 so far fall into two categories: Wi-Fi only, the type of device which most manufacturers launch first, and a 3G or 3.5G networked device, like the original Samsung Galaxy Tab (on Sprint's 3G network) or T-Mobile's G-Slate (which is 3.5G at best). HTC introduced the Flyer, the Evo View's Wi-Fi only predecessor, in late May.

Under the hood, the Evo View 4G is no slouch. The tablet sports a 1.5-GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a gig of ram, front and back-facing cameras and a 7-inch 1024×600 screen. It's also got a stylus pen, which (for a limited time) will be thrown in for free if you buy a two-year contract.

In addition to the Evo View tablet, Sprint also launched the Evo 3D, HTC's first 3-D-video-capable Android smartphone. The Evo View and Evo 3-D are both available in Sprint and Best Buy stores as well as online, for $400 and $200 respectively, if purchased in conjunction with a two-year contract.
source: Gadget Lab

7-inch HP Opal tablet may launch in August

Back in January we first heard some leaked tidbits about HP's plans in the tablet space. And what we heard back then was that HP was working on two webOS-powered tablets. In the meantime, of course, one of those turned out to be the TouchPad, previously known by its codename Topaz.

Yet alongside the Topaz HP was reportedly working on the Opal, a 7-inch tablet with 1024×768 resolution and dimensions close to those of the original Samsung Galaxy Tab (also a 7-inch device).

While HP has managed to stay silent on the matter, today new information comes to confirm the Opal's existence. Taiwan Economic News reports that, according to a subcontractor, Inventec Corp., a major Taiwan-based contract manufacturer of computers, will make tablets for HP. Orders for the TouchPad are expected to be in the 400,000-450,000 per month range, which is nothing spectacular.

What's more interesting though is that according to the same source HP will launch a 7-inch tablet in August.

Now since HP is Inventec's largest buyer of notebooks, the above certainly seems very plausible. After all, it wouldn't be something out of the ordinary if HP chose one of its trusted suppliers from another industry (notebooks) to supply its tablets as well. Also, since the TouchPad turned out to be real, we have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the information we got in January regarding the 7-inch tablet with the codename Opal.
source: Unwired View

Archos intros 80 G9 and 101 G9 Android 3.1 tablets

Hate to follow the crowd with the iPad? If so, Archos has a new pair emerging from Paris today, the 80 G9 and 101 G9. Predictably, the biggest differentiator between the two is the screen size, with the former offering an 8-inch panel with a 1024 x 768 screen resolution and the latter stepping up to a 10.1-incher (1280 x 800). Both of ‘em are proudly using Seagate's 7mm Momentus Thin in order to scale to 250GB, but of course, only time will tell how a power-hungry HDD will do in tablet form factor, or if that's too big a 16GB + microSD arrangement is available for those who aren't feeling a 250GB HDD.

Under the hood, you'll find a dual-core OMAP 4 processor (1.5GHz ARM Cortex A9), support for Flash, access to the Android Market and a full-size USB port — one that's good for accepting the outfit's new G9 3G WWAN stick ($49). You'll also get an HDMI output, support for 1080p playback and a pay-as-you-go option with the aforesaid 3G dongle. The duo is scheduled to go on sale at the end of September (you know, just a month or two before Ice Cream Sandwich makes Honeycomb look like old hat), with the 80 G9 going for $279 and the 101 G9 for $349. Don't ever say Archos' accountants didn't look out for you.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Wortmann AG Terra Mobile Industry Pad Semi-Rugged Convertible Tablet PC

Wortmann AG is preparing to drop another semi-rugged convertible tablet PC into the market. Known as the Terra Mobile Industry Pad, this tablet PC comes with a 10-inch 1024 x 600 LED-backlit resistive touchscreen display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 dual-core processor, an Intel GMA 3150 graphics card, a 2GB DDR2 RAM, a 40GB SSD, a1.3-megapixel webcam, a spill-resistant keyboard, an SD/MMC card reader, GPS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 6-cell battery and is pre-loaded with Windows 7 Professional 32-bit OS. The Terra Mobile Industry Pad will go on sale from early next month for 999 Euro (about $1,417). [TerraWorld]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 launching in the UK on “August 4th” with Android 3.1

Samsung UK has just commented on the arrival of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet, giving the updated and enlarged Tab an official UK launch date of August 4th. Samsung's also confirmed that the Tab 10.1 will launch with the very latest Android 3.1 Honeycomb update as its OS.

Which is nice.

Both 3G and wi-fi versions of the Tab 10.1 will be available, while the smaller 8.9″ version will arrive “later this year”. No official word on prices for us yet. Here's the press release:

UK LAUNCH ANNOUNCED FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1

Samsung announces its slimmest, lightest and smartest tablet will hit UK shops in August

24th June 2011, London, UK - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd today announced the latest in its Galaxy Tab range, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, will be available in the UK on 4th August 2011.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes in both 3G and WiFi only versions and launches with latest version of Android, Honeycomb 3.1, which is designed specifically for tablet devices.

The latest addition to Samsung's Galaxy Tab range features a 10.1 inch crystal clear WXGA TFT LCD screen, weighs only 565 grams and is the world's thinnest mobile tablet of its screen size measuring just 8.6 millimetres.

Supporting network speeds of up to 21Mbps and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity, the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 is equipped to deliver fast mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer time. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 includes a 1GHz dual core application processor, with the latest NVIDIA® Tegra 2™ chip, ideal for entertainment such as movies, games and e-books, browsing the web or staying connected with email or messaging services. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also has a 3 megapixel rear and 2 megapixel front camera with 1080p HD video and Flash playback and is available in both black and white.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes packed with content and services, pre-loaded with Samsung's Readers Hub and Music Hub, providing instant access to more than 2.2 million books, 2,000 newspapers, 2,300 magazines and 13 million songs. Also built in is a specialised tablet version of Samsung's Social Hub, which integrates email, instant messaging, mobile contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 also delivers console quality gaming, with Gyroscope and Accelerometer for interaction and motion control, powered by 'mobile super chip' NVIDIA® Tegra 2™ for mind-blowing graphics.

Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: "The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the latest example of Samsung's ongoing innovation in this market and commitment to the Android platform. Our Galaxy family all feature a premium design, excellent screens and are packed with compelling entertainment features. We plan to deliver exciting new user experiences and lead the tablet market in the months and years to come."

In addition to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 announcement, Samsung has also confirmed that the next in the Galaxy Tab range, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, will also be available later this year in the UK. Like the 10.1, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is incredibly slim and light at just 8.6 mm and 470 grams.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 join the original 7inch device to provide a range of Samsung tablets for consumers to choose from. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available in a range of UK retailers alongside a portfolio of accessories on 4th August 2011.
source: Eurodroid

Archos G9 Tablets – 8″ and 10″ dual-core Honeycomb updates

Archos has been churning out the Android tablets for longer than most, but has yet to come up with a proper contender. But that MAY CHANGE thanks to its third-generation of Android devices, the Archos 80 G9 and Archos 101 G9.

One's an eight-incher, the other a ten-incher, both running Android 3.1 with a stonking 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP4 processor inside. They'll both arrive in two hardware formats – a slimmer model with 32GB of flash memory, or a slightly fatter unit with a 250GB hard drive inside.

We like. Android tablet nail about to be hit on the head? Read the full details over on the US Archos site, or check out the tech specs below:

Display characteristics

· 8”: 1024 x 768

· 10.1”: 1280 x 800

Application Framework

· Android

Processor · ARM dual-core CORTEX A9 OMAP4 1.5 GHz

· 3D OpenGL (ES 2.0)



Capacity · Flash Memory: 16 GB* + microSD Slot (SDHC compatible)

· HDD memory: 250 GB*

Video Playback1 · MPEG-4 HD (up to 1080p)

· MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution)

· H.264 HD (HP@L3.1 up to 1080p)

· WMV9/VC1 (AP up to 1080p)

With optional plug-in:

· Cinema: MPEG2 (up to DVD resolution MP/D1)

With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, WMV

Audio Playback1

· MP3

· WMA, WMA-Pro 5.1

· WAV (PCM/ADPCM)

· AAC3, AAC+ 5.13

· OGG Vorbis

· FLAC

With optional software plug-in:

· AC3 5.1

Photo viewer4

· JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF

Subtitles · .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub formats supported

Webcam · 720p front camera with 720p encoding

Interfaces · USB slave: Mobile Transfer Protocol (MTP)

· USB host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) (Micro USB/USB Host cable sold separately)

· microSD (SDHC compatible)

· HDMI output6 (Mini HDMI / HDMI cable sold separately)

Communication protocols · WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)

· Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR

Miscellaneous · Built-in GPS

· Built-in speakers

· G-sensor

· Vibrator

· Compass

· Built-in kick stand

· Built-in Microphone

Power source

· Internal: Lithium Polymer battery

· External: Power adapter/charger

Dimensions & weight

· ARCHOS 80 G9 Flash series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 11.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.46 inch) – 465g (17 oz)

· ARCHOS 80 G9 Hard Drive series: 226 mm x 155.3 mm x 14.7 mm (8.90 x 6.11 x 0.58 inch) – 599g (21.9 oz)

· ARCHOS 101 G9 Flash series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 12.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.50 inch) – 649g (23.8 oz)

· ARCHOS 101 G9 Hard Drive series: 276 mm x 167.3 mm x 15.6 mm (10.86 x 6.59 x 0.61 inch) – 755g (27.7 oz)

Battery life

· Music playback time7: up to 36 hrs

· Video playback time7: up to 7 hrs

· Internet navigation time 7: up to 10 hrs

Scalability7 · Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated

· Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com

Minimum system requirements · Microsoft® Windows® 7, Vista, XP or higher

· Mac OS. X with Android Transfer Files application (not included)

· Linux with android MTP tool (not included)

· USB 2.0 interface
source: Eurodroid

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 retail version gets rooted

The limited edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 handed out at Google I/O was rooted in no time, and it looks like owners of the more widely available retail version can now thank XDA member shep211 for opening up some new possibilities on their iteration of the tablet as well. As usual, you should proceed with some caution if you decide to take the plunge, but good news is that the root can be "derooted" if you wind up having second thoughts — all the details you need are at the source link below.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Acer Iconia Tab A500 will get Android 3.1 update on July 5 in Germany

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is one of the more interesting Android Honeycomb tablets on the market, primarily because it's quite affordable, at least compared to some of the competition (cough, Xoom, cough). While perhaps not being the cheapest 10-inch Android tablet, that award probably being snatched by the Asus Eee Pad Transformer in most markets, Acer's first effort is a good one nevertheless.

Back in May we heard that the Iconia Tab A500 would get updated to Android 3.1, the latest version of the tablet-optimized fork of Android, sometime in June, alongside the Eee Pad Transformer. The update for the Asus tablet has already started rolling out, but so far there was no word from Acer on what's going on – after all June is almost over.

So today the company's German arm decided to post an update about the update on its Facebook page. It turns out that Acer Iconia Tab A500 tablets will be updated to Android 3.1 on July 5, at least those bought in Germany. It's unclear at the moment if this date is also when a European rollout of the update will begin, or perhaps a global one. We'll let you know more as soon as we do.

What we do know right now is that, as expected, the update will come over-the-air, and as such your tablet will notify you that the update is available, at which point you can download and install it.
source: Unwired View

The InfiniteLoop is one versatile tablet/smartphone stand

Designed to work with practically any tablet, the InfiniteLoop is one versatile solution that can be used to keep your tablet/phone in an upright position no matter where you are; be it in your car, on your bed, at a desk. The InfiniteLoop is basically a strip made from metal and plastic, and it can be shaped into anyway you want to form a stand for your devices. It is also available as the MiniLoop: a smaller version of the InfiniteLoop that is used to hold smartphones instead of tablets.

When not in use, the InfiniteLoop can be easily rolled up into a compact circle for storage or transporting purposes. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get your hands on one of these stands – at least not at the moment. The InfiniteLoop exists only as a concept product right now and its creator has started a Kickstarter project to get it funded. You can pre-order it for $35 (retail price will be $44.95) or you can pre-order the MiniLoop for $19 (retail price $29.95). $75 will get you both in a limited edition black, and more will give you even more perks. Head over to the InfiniteLoop Kickstarter page to find out more.
source: Ubergizmo

Voltaic Spark Case Powers Tablets With the Sun

Solar-powered laptop chargers always seemed a little mis-matched. Using a trickle of Sun-power to juice a thirsty computer is a little like running you big-screen TV from a trunk full of AAA cells. But tablets, which spend much longer away from power outlets, are perfect for solar power.

And the Spark Tablet Case is just the thing. The case, made from PET (recycled soda bottles), has a compartment inside for your tablet plus a bunch of mesh pockets for cables and other sundries. On the side are the solar panels, and these will fully charge the internal battery in ten hours (in direct sunlight).

That battery is the important part, as you could leave this hanging from your tent all day and then plug in your iPad when you get back from a long hike. The power comes out through two USB ports. Both provide 5 volts, one sends out 600mA and the other 2A. You can also plug in pretty much any other device using adapters, and the voltage can be stepped up to 12v for charging camera batteries.

It seems ideal for camping trips, except for the weight: at 1130 grams (around 2.5 pounds), you'll probably wan to leave this at base camp. Just don't forget to put it on a sunny rock while you're gone.

$300, available now.

Spark Tablet Case [Voltaic]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the UK on 4 August

Samsung will release the 10-inch version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab in the UK at the beginning of August.

A successor to the reasonably popular original 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, it will launch with the latest version of Android in Honeycomb 3.1, specially optimised for tablets. Samsung also announced that the Galaxy Tab 8.9 will come out later this year, as the company tries to keep all the bases covered.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is certainly a step-up in terms of power, with a 1GHz dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. It also has a 3-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front camera, with 1080p HD video playback. And of course being a premier Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will have Flash playback. It is available in both black and white colours.

With three tablets covering different sizes, Samsung has certainly tried to offer a choice for all tastes, much like what it does with its phones. Problem is that the iPad has blown away all the competition so far, because like the iPhone it is still thought of the premier device of its type.
source: Unwired View

STATS: Android tablet web traffic barely registers on a global level

Analyst ComScore has released some pretty humbling data covering the tablet market, showing that the world still definitely belongs to iPad in terms of current tablet market share.

In its figures showing “non-computer device” network traffic during May, the mass of Android tablets were lucky to break above 1% of non-computer traffic across a variety of countries, with iPad varying between 4% in India and a whopping 33.5% in Canada.

Here's a nice dry table:

89% of all tablet traffic came via iPad in May. But that'll soon change when the Huawei MediaPad launches! Read the full ComScore report here.

ARCHOS G9 Tablets Announced

ARCHOS announced two new Android tablets. They include two for factors; the 80 G9 (8″ 1024 by 768 display) and the 101 G9 (10.1″ 1280 by 800 display). They also ship with the fastest dual-core processor, a CORTEX A9 OMAP4 1.5 GHz.

In addition to putting the quickest processor in, they add a couple more features to stand out from the crowd. A 250 GB Hard Drive option and a 3G option that can be added after you buy the tablet.

The 101 G9 is listed for $399.99 for the 16GB model, and $499.99 for the 250GB model. The 80 G9 lists for $329.99 for the 16GB model, and $399.99 for the 250GB model.

You can choose between a flash model, or one with a 250 GB hard Drive. The Hard Drive models are only 3mm thicker and about 4 ounces heavier. It looks like you can't later decide to add a hard drive, since the physical dimensions are different. I know it is all about the flash memory anymore, but the attraction of size and cost for a hard drive is compelling.

There is no 3G model. They ship with Wi-Fi, but include the ability to add a 3G stick for access. It is standard looking 3G USB stick that you can also use with your Mac or Windows PC. What makes it really slick is that it is designed to slide right into a custom slot. When installed, you won't even know it is there (except for the wireless access). The Gadgeteer in me wonders if you can attach other USB devices into that port.

No word yet on what cell providers will support it. I also wonder if they will produce a 4G version. Seems a shame to saddle this high-powered tablet with 3G speeds.

What do you think? 8″ or 10″?
source: The Gadgeteer

Vizio Android Tablet details revealed

Vizio's Android Tablet was first seen back in January at CES. We havn't really heard much since then, but we have stumbled upon some new details today on Vizio's first attempt at a tablet.

The tablet will run on Gingerbread along with Vizio's custom interface which will be similar to Vizio's Internet App Plus ecosystem, although Vizio stated that they would be willing to switch to Honeycomb if they think it will be stable enough on the device. The device spots a 8-inch screen with 1024 x 768 resolution, a front-facing camera for video chat, stereo speakers, and HDMI out which allows the user to transfer videos from the tablet to the TV. A unique feature of this device is the ability to use the tablet as a remote for your TV and other entertainment devices in the room.

Vizio's Android Tablet will ship in July and will be priced at $349. This low price point is a new strategy used by many Android tablet manufacturers to make their product more attractive than the more expensive tablets such as the Xoom or iPad 2. We will keep you updated on any more news we hear about Vizio's Tablet.
source: Unwired View

Motorola XOOM Android 3.1 update “has started” in Europe

According to Motorola's European Facebook page, the company has finally begun to launch the latest Android 3.1 update for the tablet outside of the US. It's going to be a patchy, gradual process, as ever with these things, but IT HAS BEGUN.

Here's the quote from Motorola:

The 3.1 update for Motorola XOOM™ outside the U.S. has started. Owners in Europe can expect updates over the next several weeks until the roll out is complete. The 3.1 update for non-U.S. devices, in addition to many other improvements, also includes SD card activation. Release notes will be made available in each region, functionality varies by region.

So stop your moaning, Motorola users…

…you're about to have the best and newest Android thing once again.
source: Eurodroid

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 Spied at OfficeMax for $499

The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 has been taking its sweet time on its trip to American shores. You may remember it was the Lenovo LePad, though the tablet has been slightly updated since we first saw it. A display placard from OfficeMac has surfaced, and its details echo those of a recent Buy.com listing for the slate. The IdeaPad K1 runs on Android 3.0, has dual front and rear cameras, a 10.1-inch screen, and 10 hour of battery life. When it hits OfficeMax's shelves — and that could be soon — it will retail for $499.99. That's not the cheapest Honeycomb tablet we have seen as of late, but it's also not the worse.
source: Android Phone

Asus EeePad Transformer currently Amazon's best-selling tablet

There's a bit of a Beauty and the Beast battle going on over at Amazon, with the lovely Asus EeePad Transformer currently sitting at the top of the retailer's best-selling tablet charts.

Right behind it at #2, though, is our old friend the bargain-bucket Tabtech M009S – which is an amazing £350 cheaper. Sooner or later, someone's going to stumble across a happy middle-ground between £400 tablets and £79.99 tablets and Android will have the mainstream iPad challenger it needs.

We're not entirely sure how accurate a reflection of sales this data is, mind. It may just be based around the things Amazon has most of.
source: Eurodroid

7-inch Arnova Tablet Will Cost $99, You Get What You Pay For

You show me $99 and I'll show you a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, Android 2.1, and not a whole lot more. That's basically what you get from the latest Arnova tablet from Archos. The Arnova 7 is designed to compete on one point, and one point alone, and that point is the price point. You don't get the Android Market (you'll have to settle for the AppsLib store), you don't get the most recent version of Android for smartphones (let alone tablets), and you don't get a camera (front or rear). But did we mention it will only cost $99? No word on when you can drop a lone benjamin on this one.
source: Android Phone

Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xoom now available at some US Cellular retail locations for $599.99

Back in April we heard that the Motorola Xoom, the first tablet to run Android Honeycomb, would also become available from US Cellular sometime before the end of June. And, well, today is the big day, as the carrier itself announced via Twitter. There are some caveats, though.

First of all, you have to know that if you buy a Xoom from US Cellular, you're not getting a device that can directly connect to US Cellular for data. It is, in fact, the Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet, an SKU that has no 3G or 4G radio on it, leaving Wi-Fi to be your only connectivity option.

Second, the Xoom is only available in “select” US Cellular stores, whatever that may mean. The point here is this: don't just run to your nearest US Cellular store if for some reason you desperately want to get a Wi-Fi-only Xoom from the carrier. Perhaps call ahead – some stores may not have any Xoom stock at all right now.

If you do manage to find a retail location that does have a Xoom for you, it will cost you $599.99.
source: Unwired View

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet will cost $499.99 at OfficeMax

It was about a week ago when we heard that Lenovo was working hard on getting its first two Android-powered tablets to market. Two, because one would be consumer-oriented and launch under the IdeaPad brand, and the other would be business-focused and sold under the well known brand ThinkPad brand.

Back then we also heard that Lenovo's IdeaPad tablet would launch worldwide in July, and today we have some more information that suggests that may be the case indeed (or the launch will at least happen in the US in July).

What you see above is a leaked price tag for the Lenovo IdeaPad tablet, also known by its model number K1. The price tag has been seen at OfficeMax, and it indicates $499.99 as the price for the 32 GB K1 IdeaPad. That's not a bad price at all, considering that it's the exact same price for which Apple sells the cheapest iPad 2. The difference? The IdeaPad has double the storage.

Aside from that, in terms of specs, the IdeaPad K1 is certainly nothing revolutionary, having a 10.1-inch 1280×800 capacitive touchscreen, two cameras, 10 hours battery life (something that almost every tablet producer claims, yet very few actually deliver on that promise), an aluminum rear casing, a weight of 725 grams, and a thickness of 13.2 mm. The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 will run Android Honeycomb.

Yes, those are specs very similar to virtually every other 10-inch Android tablet out there, but if storage space is key for you, then the IdeaPad will probably be the cheapest tablet to offer 32 GB.

Unfortunately we still don't have an exact release date for the IdeaPad K1, but now that the pricing is pretty much clear, it can't take long before that information leaks too. And it clearly looks like Lenovo is set to make good on its promise to ship the IdeaPad tablet in July.
source: Unwired View

Android 3.1 Now Rolling Out to Non-U.S. Motorola XOOMs

For everyone who owns a Motorola XOOM and doesn't happen to live in the United States, you're wait for the latest version of Android is over. Motorola issued a statement today via their Facebook page announcing the roll out, which will continue over the coming weeks until all eligible XOOM tablets have gotten their Android 3.1 fill.

Aside from all the benefits of having the latest version of Honeycomb, the update will activate SD card support, something long pined for by XOOM owners. So sit tight, you may still have a couple weeks to wait until your XOOM receives the update, but won't it be well worth it?
source: Android Phone

Motorola Xoom Android 3.1 update starts rolling out across Europe

So has the Android 3.1 update been delayed until August? Apparently not. After the Asus Eee Pad Transformer's Android 3.1 update has been rolled out starting a few weeks ago, it's now time for the Motorola Xoom to get it too. But wait, you ask, wasn't the Xoom the first device to get it? Well, yes, but that was the US Xoom.

Today, the Android 3.1 update for the Motorola Xoom has started rolling out outside of the United States. That means that Xoom owners in Europe will soon see their tablet updated to the latest version of Android. The rollout is expected to take a few weeks, so don't panic if your tablet doesn't get updated by tonight.

Motorola has announced the official availability of the update via Facebook, adding that full release notes will be posted by region. One thing that's expected to make it to every territory is the enabling of the SD card slot. Until we get other details from Motorola, you can go through our post dealing with the announcement of Android 3.1 back in May. Suffice to say the update is mostly about bug fixes, stability improvements, and basically making what was broken finally work.
source: Unwired View

Rogers makes the LG Optimus Pad $150 cheaper, now $549.99 sans contract

The LG Optimus Pad with its 3D features is certainly a unique offering (at least so far) in the tablet space in general, and among Android-powered tablets in particular. However, one thing which clearly hasn't helped this tablet sell very well has been its price – it's among the most expensive tablets out there. Now granted, that 3D tech may probably account for the increased price, but the truth is everyone would like to get cheaper tablets.

And everyone likes a good price drop. Which is exactly what has happened to the LG Optimus Pad at Rogers in Canada. The carrier has decided to cut the tablet's price by no less than $150, making it now ‘just' $549.99 sans contract. Of course, it could be even cheaper, but a $150 price drop is not something you should ignore.

So either Rogers is feeling very generous towards prospective tablet customers, or the Optimus Pad wasn't doing that well, sales-wise. Perhaps this will help make it sell better, we'll see. Either way, if you want an Android-powered tablet that can do 3D photo and video capture, this is your only choice on the market right now. And it's just gotten a lot cheaper.
source: Unwired View

BEST DEALS: Binatone Homesurf 8 Android tablet only �69.99

UK retailer Comet will send you a Binatone Homesurf 8 in return for a mere £69.99, which we reckon makes this the cheapest Android tablet on sale in the UK today. In return for your money you get an 8″ resistive screen running at 800×600 resolution, and, er, Android 1.6.

Might be worth investing in one of these if you operate some sort of gadgetry museum.

It's rubbish. But for £69 you pretty much waive all rights to complain about it at checkout. Have a look at it over at Comet if you need a spare, practically disposable Android tablet to put in the shed or loft.
source: Eurodroid

Acer Iconia Tab Android 3.1 update arriving in July

The 10″ Acer Iconia Tab A500 is about to join the ranks of the Android 3.1 DEVICE ELITE, with Acer announcing a date of July 5th for the update over on its German Facebook page. The OS upgrade will arrive via an over-the-air notification, then away you go.

And to fulfill our “euro” remit for the month of June, here's the announcement in the original German:

Liebe Fans, liebe Iconia Tab A500 Besitzer, wir freuen uns bekannt geben zu können, dass das heiß ersehnte Update kurz bevor steht – Android Honeycomb 3.1! Der Update Cycle beginnt am 5. Juli und funktioniert via FOTA (Footage over the Air), d.h. es wird Euch automatisch auf Eurem A500 angezeigt. Kurz bestätigen und ab dafür :-) Vielen Dank für Eure Geduld!

Pretty easy to pick out the key words, there.

It's a nice enough device, albeit a bit bulky. And you could get a Eee Transformer for less. Link via Engadget.

Archos Arnova 8 Android tablet launched – from £99

The updated Arnova budget range of Android tablets has started appearing in UK shops this month as promised, with the 8″ Arnova 8 available direct from ASDA for £99. In return for that you get an Archos-made device with an 800×600 resistive screen, plus, for some odd reason, Android 2.1 as your operating system.

There's an almighty war going on down at the cheap end of the Android tablet range, with some very odd devices on offer. Still yet to see one we'd actually consider buying…

The Arnova 8 is also up on Pixmania for £132, while ASDA also has stocks of the older 10″ Arnova tablet for £149.
source: Eurodroid

anaPad Wooden Tablet for Kids

Kids nowadays learn little from their parents, especially the kind who are so busy twiddling with their iPads, BlackBerrys, and other smart devices. They have become so engrossed with these gadgets that they have forgotten to teach their kids the finer things in life like kindness, creativity, affection, and appreciation of others. So what a techie parent to do? One company suggests giving the toddlers 3 and up their own “fake” tablet.

The anaPad is a magnetic white board framed inside a wooden frame with the exact dimensions of an iPad. It comes with “companion app magnets” and markers, making the anaPad a great device for drawing, games, and learning.

Why a fake tablet, you ask? Perhaps because kids pick up their habits from their parents. Seeing how the adults continue to play and work with their tabs and smartphones, you cannot blame the children if they prefer to play Angry Birds than read a book. But as a “good” parent, you know you aren't supposed to let kids play with tablets. Then again, who are we to define good parenting?

Anyway, the anaPad is being sold on Etsy for $30. Due to high number of orders, customers are asked to wait for a week before it is shipped.
source: Gadget.com

You don't have a second chance at making a first Impression

I guess that must be the mantra of the folks behind Leader International Inc. as they roll out their Impression 10 (I10 for short) tablet device. Retailing for $349.99 a pop, the I10 intends to raise the bar where budget tablets are concerned, and you might be pleased to know that the I10 will see a bunch of components that are normally found in more expensive tablets, such as a 9.7″ capacitive, widescreen IPS (In Plane Switching) display which will let you enjoy resolution of up to 1024 x 768 pixels and wide viewing angles.

Underneath the hood runs the energy-efficient yet powerful 1GHz Samsung processor, with Android 2.2 Froyo (bummer, we were hoping this would come with at least Android 2.3, or Android 3.0 Honeycomb right out of the box) as the operating system of choice, accompanied by Flash 10.1 capability. A microSD memory card slot is thrown into the mix so that you will be able to expand its functionality when the need arises.

Other hardware specifications include Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth connectivity, 4GB of internal memory, a G-sensor, USB 2.0 support, a 2-megapixel camera, stereo output and an HDMI port. Sounds like what an ordinary Joe would possess – how about you?
source: Ubergizmo

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 retail version gets rooted

The limited edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 handed out at Google I/O was rooted in no time, and it looks like owners of the more widely available retail version can now thank XDA member shep211 for opening up some new possibilities on their iteration of the tablet as well. As usual, you should proceed with some caution if you decide to take the plunge, but good news is that the root can be "derooted" if you wind up having second thoughts — all the details you need are at the source link below.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Acer Iconia Tab A100 pricing spotted

Leaks are extremely commonplace these days simply because there are so many ways to capture an image of a particular device or perhaps even the inventory system screenshot before a particular device is released. Today, we will look at the Acer Iconia Tab A100′s pricing, where it has appeared over at Walmart for $349 a pop. The sticker itself more or less gives the game away, where 349 clams will net you Tegra 2, 8GB of internal memory, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera that is accompanied by a 5-megapixel rear camera, and Android 3.0 Honeycomb as the operating system of choice. That's definitely a huge plus point over the majority of the other 7″ tablets that run on the older Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS.

Walmart's website has yet to list the Acer Iconia Tab A100, but with its price tag already available, it cannot be too far away from an official release. What do you think – will you be looking out for this particular tablet when it arrives?
source: Ubergizmo

HP TouchPad Tablet Available for Pre-Order

HP's answer to the iPad, the TouchPad, is now available for pre-order.

The HP TouchPad, which was first revealed in February, is set to go on sale July 1, but you can currently pre-order it on HP's website.

Consumers can also pre-order the tablet from retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, Amazon, Costco, Staples, and TigerDirect. There is no expected ship date currently listed for TouchPad pre-orders.

HP's webOS tablet sports a 9.7-inch, 1024-by-768-pixel screen and will be available in two models: a $500 16-GB version and a $600 32-GB version. One feature that set the TouchPad apart from other tablets was its Touchstone technology, which shares information between the tablet and HP/Palm Pre phones. Apple's new iCloud service (a major foray into data synchronization and online storage) renders that functionality a bit less exciting.

The TouchPad joins the crop of tablet devices hitting the market in the wake of Apple's iPad. At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, manufacturers showcased nearly 100 tablets powered by Google's Android OS. Some technology journalists argue that the TouchPad's approach make it a more viable competitor to the iPad: HP and Palm developed both the hardware and operating system in house, meaning the device's user experience should have the elegance and polish necessary to make a tablet succeed.

In addition to making the TouchPad available for pre-order, HP has also posted a slew of instructional demo videos showing off the key features of their tablet on YouTube. Below is an overview of the TouchPad, but other videos detail things like wireless charging using Touchstone, notifications and the device's multitasking functionality.
source: Gadget Lab

Rumor: Native PlayBook E-Mail Client Actually Impossible

Is it possible that the lack of an email client on BlackBerry's PlayBook is due to the fact that it is impossible to do? A rumor reported by Business Insider says that RIM has to rewrite its entire messaging architecture to get email and messaging onto the flailing tablet.

The problem, according to a source who spoke to a director of BlackBerry product management, is that BlackBerry accounts cannot support more than one device. When the back-end software was written, the designers never foresaw that a person would want to access their email from anything other than their single BlackBerry phone. Thus, it will require “significant work to make the BES [BlackBerry Email System] support multiple devices.”

This could be made even trickier by RIMs current transition to the new QNX software platform.

Bear in mind that this is a single-source rumor. It is, however, both plausible and interesting enough to pass on. Why else would RIM have shipped a business-targeted tablet without the company's flagship feature?

The Real Reason There Was No Email On The BlackBerry PlayBook [Business Insider]

MeiYing tablet works on Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Clone tablets are definitely out there, and since the iPad really took off with a rage worldwide, it goes without saying that there is a huge market for those who would want Cupertino's tablet, but do not have the means to get it. Instead of selling your kidney, why not purchase a clone tablet that actually works – and works well? This is what the MeiYing tablet intends to portray, where it will come with a Rockchip 1.3GHz CPU, accompanied by 512MB RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

Apart from that, you can also enjoy snapping photos with the included 3-megapixel camera that is located on the front, not to mention another 2-megapixel camera at the back. This is a bit weird though, as most of the other devices out there with dual cameras tend to have the higher resolution camera at the back, while the lower resolution one is in front to cater for video calls. Perhaps this is one way that this clone wants to stand out from the rest of the pack, but it is going about it the wrong way.

Other hardware specifications include HDMI out, USB host and client ports. With a battery that offers 5000mAh of juice, the MeiYing tablet sounds decent on paper, but since we do not know how much it costs nor when will it be released (definitely not Stateside), we will have to relegate this to just wishful thinking.
source: Ubergizmo

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Hits Stores Shelves, Gets Rooted

When the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was released as a limited edition goodie for attendees of this year's Google I/O, developers made short work of obtaining root access. Last week the retail version of the slate touched down on store shelves, and just as quickly it, too, has been granted Super User access. XDA Android-guru shep211 gets all of the credit here. The usual warnings and disclaimers go along with it, but if you do want to take the plunge and have a crack at rooting your own Galaxy Tab 10.1, full instructions can be found at XDA.
source: Android Phone

Sprint's Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available starting June 24

Already available in the US (at locations including Best Buy and Amazon), the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be released by Sprint, too, later this week.

The third largest US carrier has has announced that it would offer a 16GB, Wi-Fi-only version of the tablet starting June 24 (this Friday).

Just like elsewhere, the 16GB Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost $499.99 at Sprint (which will let you connect the tablet to its 4G network through the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, or the MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Novatel).

In case you don't know yet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 runs Android 3.1 Honeycomb and features a 1280 x 800 multi-touch display, TouchWix UX, two cameras, 720p video recording, 1GB of RAM, and a dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. Sprint says a software update for the Tab 10.1 will arrive later in the summer (I assume it's an update to Android 3.2).
source: Unwired View

Android 3.2 Detailed: Supports 7-inch Displays, Qualcomm CPUs

The announcement of the 7-inch Huawei MediaPad came with the first ever mention of Android 3.2. What could easily have been mistaken as a simple case of misinformation on Huawei's part in the wake of the recent Honeycomb update to version 3.1 is in fact the next and — if we are to believe some new rumors — final version of the operating system designed for tablets. This is My Next has gotten the dirt on what exactly we can expect when Android 3.2 hits tablets in the coming weeks. That's right, the update could land on existing Android 3.1 slates before the end of summer, and several new 7-inch devices will ship with Android 3.2 come August. And those 7-inch screens will be fully supported, as this version of Honeycomb has been designed to run on a “range” of screen sizes.

Along with support for various sized displays, the new iteration of Honeycomb will also pack support for Qualcomm chipsets, meaning current Qualcomm devices such as the HTC Flyer could be eligible for an upgrade. The upgrade will also include bug fixes; improved hardware acceleration; new versions of Movie Studio, Movies, Music; and updated widgets.

And once it hits, that should be all she wrote for Honeycomb. We assume these new additions will carry over into Android's Ice Cream Sandwich release, which as far as we know is still on track to arrive for both phones and tablets towards the end of the year.
source: Android Phone

HP TouchPad pre-orders now live in the UK, prices start at £399.99, shipping on July 15

After having reached pre-order status in the US and Canada, HP's first webOS tablet, the TouchPad, is now finally available to pre-order in the UK as well. And just like on the other side of the pond, there are two versions up for grabs, one with 16 GB of internal storage, and another with 32 GB.

These tablets come without any need to sign up for a long term contract with a mobile network operator, as they're sold by Clove, a well known independent retailer of unlocked mobile devices. The 16 GB TouchPad costs £399.99, and the 32 GB version can be yours for £479.99. The only difference between these two tablets is the internal storage space, so if 16 GB is enough for you, then you should probably go for the cheaper version.

Deliveries are set to start on July 15, when the TouchPad will see its official release in the UK. If you're interested in being one of the first people in the UK to get your hands on one, perhaps you should head on over to Clove right now and pre-order either the 16 GB or the 32 GB version.
source: Unwired View

Sprint Announces June 24th Availability of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for $499

It won't come packed with any sort of 4G (or 3G, for that matter) radio, but Sprint will begin carrying the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 this Friday, June 24th, for purchase online. The 16GB version of the tablet will retail for $499, and since this is the WiFi-only version we are talking about here, there will be no pesky carrier contract to sign. The device will be available in Sprint stores a month later on July 24th. Other than its availability via Sprint, nothing changes between this version of the Tab 10.1 and the one that saw its general public release last week.

It seems odd for a carrier to offer a tablet not tied directly to their cellular network. Verizon offers the non-3G iPad bundled with a MiFi hotspot, and Sprint here also talks up their Overdrive Pro and MiFi mobile hotspots. The difference is VZW offered a price cut for purchasing the two devices together, while no mention of such a deal is made in the below press release. Less reason to be tied into a monthly bill for two years, we suppose.

Sprint Expands Mobile Tablet Portfolio With Launch of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on June 24 for $499.99

Ultra-Thin and Lightweight Tab Boasts a 10.1-inch HD Touchscreen, Android 3.1 and a Dual-Core Processor; Power Galaxy Tab 10.1 with an Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless or MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Novatel Wireless for access to blazing-fast Sprint 4G speeds

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jun 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Sprint customers will be able to enjoy the convenience of Samsung Galaxy TabTM 10.1 16GB Wi-Fi version beginning June 24 through direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Web sales (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Sprint Business Sales for $499.99 (excludes taxes). It will be available for purchase in Sprint retail stores on July 24.

This powerful tablet boasts a brilliant 10.1-inch HD touchscreen (1,280×800) display delivering sharper movies, better game graphics, and crystal clear video chats. At just 0.34-inches, it is the world's thinnest mobile tablet. It comes with AndroidTM 3.1 Honeycomb with Android MarketTM providing access to more than 60,000 apps for Galaxy Tab 10.11 and an immersive, lightning-fast Web browsing experience.

“Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 expands Sprint's tablet innovation, growing our lineup to five options,” said David Owens, Sprint vice president of product development. “This gives Sprint customers a one-stop-shop for all of their tablet needs. Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a dynamic tablet, but it is even more amazing when paired with the Sprint 4G network through our OverdriveTM Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless or MiFi(R) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Novatel.”

Galaxy Tab 10.1 is designed with a brilliant 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display with WXGA 1,280×800 resolution, delivering vibrant colors and crisp clarity. The aspect ratio of the display is ideal for widescreen viewing of movies, TV shows and photos. It features two cameras – a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera with camcorder, flash and zoom, and a front-facing, 2-megapixel camera – enabling video chat.

Additional key features include:

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

Android Market for access to more than 60,000 applications for Galaxy Tab 10.1

Mobile Email-IMAP and POP, GmailTM, MSN Hotmail(R) and Yahoo!(R)

Google Mobile Services, including YouTube, GmailTM, Google TalkTM and Google MapsTM

HD camcorder with 720p video capture

Full HTML Web browser with Google Search and Adobe(R) Flash(R) Player (10.3)

1GHz Tegra 2 dual-core processor

1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage

Wi-Fi enabled

Stereo Bluetooth Technology 2.1

Galaxy Tab 10.1 customers can expect a software update planned for this summer that will enable more favorite features and services including:

Customized User Experience “Samsung TouchWiz UX”

Samsung's TouchWiz user experience is designed with a Live Panel menu for customizing the home screen of Galaxy Tab 10.1 with digital pictures, favorite websites 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 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 play back Media Hub content on TV through an HDMI cable from the Galaxy Tab 10.1 dock or adapter.

Readers Hub & Social Hub

It 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

Samsung 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 HDTVs, monitors and digital cameras. The software upgrade will also transform Galaxy Tab 10.1 into a device capable of accepting streaming content from a TV to the tablet itself.

Sprint was unbeaten among major wireless carriers for customer satisfaction according to results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index. In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint was also the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, during the last three years, according to the survey.
source: Android Phone

Acer Iconia Tab A100 Shows its Face at Walmart, Bares $349 Price Tag

OK, so no actual Acer Iconia Tab A100 was actually spotted at Walmart, but a price tag and description should suffice, no? The Iconia Tab A100′s launch was delayed supposedly to further tweak its Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system for the tablet's 7-inch display, but without so much as a peep from the company is the slate ready to hit shelves? The tablet recently passed through the FCC, a quick pit stop along the way to store shelves where good ol' Walmart will have the thing for $349. No accompanying listing on the retailer's website has us questioning if the Iconia Tab A100 is really here, but that won't stop us from being excited at the prospect.
source: Android Phone

Verizon's MAP system shows off LTE Motorola XOOM

Does your place have 4G/LTE connectivity? If the answer is in the affirmative, then might you be interested in a new leak from Verizon Wireless' MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) system? Two new Android-powered devices have been spotted under the system, coming in the form of the Motorola XOOM tablet and Droid 3 smartphone, where both of them will be 4G-equipped. This is normally a sign that the carrier is ready to rock and roll with said devices, but there was no further information (or rather, leaks) concerning the pricing points as well as release dates.

The Droid 3 has been announced in China, where they will call it the Milestone 3 in that part of the world, and it is widely presumed to be shipping out to Verizon Wireless this coming July 7th. As for Motorola, they have already sent out 4G upgrade notifications by accident to owners who purchased the XOOM before its upgrade, which is a hint by itself that it is close to upgrading the tablets while shipping new ones with LTE integrated inside.

Motorola did little to substantiate or quench such rumors as they have pretty much remained mum apart from saying that LTE devices have been delayed until the summer – among them the XOOM and the redesigned Droid Bionic.

source: Ubergizmo

Toshiba postpone its Regza Tablet AT300 Launch in Japan for Andoird 3.1

Schedule for the end of this month, the AT300x23C has now been cancelled and replace by the AT300x24C and schedule to hit store shelves in Japan at the end of July. Both the AT300x23C and AT300x24C comes with the same hardware: Tegra 2, 16GB of Internal Memory, 10.1x1280×800 screen, but will now comes pre-loaded with Android 3.1.

A few numbers of AT300x23C will however see the day of light and will be distributed to business that were planning to use mainly this tablet as a business tool.

source: Akihabara News

HP TouchPad can't edit documents, well at least when launch?

The WebOS nuts at PreCentral have received an anonymous tip-off that HP's imminent slate won't be able to edit Office docs out of the box. As much as we'd like to dismiss this as a retaliatory rumor put out by BlackBerry, it emits an unfortunate whiff of truth.

While HP has previously made a big deal of the TouchPad's inclusion of the Quickoffice app, it has only said it's “working with Quickoffice” to include document editing, and it has never demoed editing in action. The company has recently been trying to boost its app count, but perhaps it should have put more effort into securing core functionality instead.

A glimmer of hope, though: the same tip-off also suggested that at least some editing capabilities will be introduced “via a downloadable update in Q3 2011?.

source: 2DayBlog.com

Huawei MediaPad Android tablet launched

In Singapore today, Chinese electronics manufacturer, Huawei hosted the official global launch of its latest tablet, the Huawei media pad. Present at the event were Qualcomm, Gameloft, and Real as well - partners that worked together with Huawei to create the tablet. The event was brief and straight to the point, showing off to the world what Huawei has in store for us.

The MediaPad's specs are what you would expect from what Huawei calls the world's smartest, slimmest, lightest, and affordable tablet in its class. It will be the world's first tablet to run on Qualcomm's 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, and Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Yes, that's 3.2 and not 3.1. According to Victor Xu, Huawei's Chief Marketing Officer - it is the first version of the Android operating system that's been optimized to run on 7″ tablets. Other than that, he didn't elaborate on what else Android 3.2 brings to the table. Perhaps we'll find out more in due time.

The tablet features a 7″ display that has a pixel density of 217 PPI, which is pretty impressive, especially when compared to other tablets such as the iPad 2 (132 PPI), Galaxy Tab 10.1 (149) and Motorola Xoom (160). But keep in mind that the tablet's display is smaller: the other tablets have ~10″ screens. It supports 1080p full HD video, HDMI output, and Flash 10.3. The tablet is also touted to play audio and video files of any format. Huawei worked together with RealNetworks (the folks behind RealVideo and RealPlayer) to ensure the tablet's ability to play any format. Announced formats include: WMV, Flash, Mp3, and H.264.

It has a sleek two-tone uni-body aluminum alloy body with a design that is said to resemble an hour clock. It weighs 0.86 pounds (390g), and is 10.5mm thick - with its 7″ size, its small form factor is the ideal size to travel around with. The MediaPad also features HSPA+ 14.4Mbps, WiFi and Bluetooth2.1+EDR connectivity. It comes with a GPS radio, and A-GPS support. The tablet packs a 5-megapixel rear camera with HD video recording (not mentioned if its 1080p or 720p), and a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera.

The tablet will support the Android Market, Huawei's own app store, and other 3rd party app stores. No prices were announced but Victor Xu promises that it will be available globally in Q3 this year (America, Asia and select European markets). The tablet will be sold through carriers and retail outlets. So far the tablet sounds like a great device for watching movies, listening to music and playing games on the go. We'll just have to see is Huawei delivers what it promises when the MediaPad is released later this year.
source: Ubergizmo