IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7

Coming this fall, Lenovo's 10.1" IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Microsoft Windows 7 features a 1.5GHz Intel processor so users can be more productive with Office documents, or get creative with photos while on the move. The IdeaPad Tablet P1 boasts a multitouch touchscreen display and optional stylus pen for added flexibility, easy access to Web content thanks to full Adobe Flash Player support and HD playback, and Microsoft Security Essentials for an extra layer of security. At just 14.5mm thin and weighing less than 2lbs, the IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 offers portability, power and versatility for the office, in the home and on-the-go.
source: Trendy Gadget

TabCo Tablet launch might have Nokia connection

Heard of the TabCo name before? Many people speculate that this is a viral marketing stunt from ailing Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia, and they might be right. While the "WeAreMaemo" account has been deleted from Twitter, a different account name that does bear plenty of similarities has appeared – being referred to as "WeAreTabCo" now.

A conversation over on Twitter by WeAreTabCo has fueled further speculation that a new tablet launch that is happening next month might actually belong to Nokia, but until something far more concrete arises, we will just have to adopt a wait and see attitude. After all, patience is a virtue, and it never killed anyone in the past to see a phone or tablet released later than originally expected. What do you think – is TabCo part of a marketing stunt that Nokia has pulled in order to draw attention to themselves in their effort to turn the tide?

We just hope whatever tablet that comes out after that will be decent enough to provide competition to the rest of the market.
source: Ubergizmo

Lenovo officially intros the ThinkPad and IdeaPad K1 Android Honeycomb tablets

Lenovo has officially announced the launch of three new tablets, two running Android 3.1 Honeycomb (Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet and Lenovo IdeaPad K1), and one running Windows 7 (IdeaPad Tablet P1, which isn't of interest to us).

The two Android tablets will be available in the US, the UK, and Germany – and most likely in other markets, too, but these are the only ones that Lenovo mentioned for now.

In the US, the Lenovo tablets will be “the first Honeycomb tablets certified for Netflix”. The IdeaPad Tablet K1 (pictured below) can be ordered as of today at some locations, including Lenovo's official website. Its features include a 10.1 inch WXGA (1280 x 800) display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera, mini HDMI, dual-core Nvidia Tegra processor, 32GB of internal memory, and integrated cloud storage (2GB free).

The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet, which “combines the superior media and entertainment experience of the IdeaPad Tablet K1 with the security, reliability and manageability features ThinkPad is known for”, will be released in the US in August 2. Prices for the ThinkPad Tablet will start at $479 (16GB, without digitizer pen – which will cost an extra $30). A 3G version should be release later this year. More info here.

The IdeaPad Tablet K1 will arrive in Europe in August (for €399 or more), while the ThinkPad Tablet should be released here in September (for €459 or more).
source: Unwired View

Coupon for $100 Off Any Tablet at Staples Could Net You an Asus Transformer for $299

You have to love a good deal, and boy is this deal from Staples good. A reader forwarded us this coupon, good through July 31st, for $100 off any tablet purchased through the retailer. Taking advantage of the savings, you can grab the Asus Eee Pad Transformer for only $299, the Motorola XOOM for $399, the Toshiba Thrive for $379, or the Galaxy Tab 10.1 for as low as $399 among others. The coupon excludes the HP TouchPad, Amazon Kindle, and NOOK, but luckily only one of those three runs Android.
source: Android Phone

OtterBox Blackberry Playbook Defender Series Case Review

The first thing a gadget lover usually does after purchasing a new tablet is to protect it from scratches and bumps. Recently I purchased the Blackberry Playbook. It's a sturdy 7 inch tablet that came with a neoprene sleeve in the box. But I was looking for something a bit more heavy duty. I needed a case that could protect it while I used it and be able to survive a drop. That's where OtterBox comes in with their Blackberry Playbook Defender Series Case.

The case comes in 3 pieces:

1) Front piece that has an integrated clear protective membrane that works well with Playbook's touch screen.

2) Back piece that has a clear protective membrane over the back camera.

3) A cover piece that can be snapped on the front or back of the case.

The cover piece is made up of hard plastic and can be placed in front or back of the case. It has 4 strips of grip on the bottom to prevent it from sliding on the table. The 2 pictures above show the cover piece on the back of the case. It has a sliding door to expose the back camera of the Playbook.

The above picture shows the cover snapped onto the front of the case. The cover is actually slimmer than the case itself which allows for the Playbook's speakers to be exposed while still having the cover on. That's great if you want to leave music playing while fully protecting the Playbook.

Another great feature of the cover piece is that it can be used as a stand as well. OtterBox has added in a X shaped hinge mechanism that allows the Playbook to be propped up on 2 different angles.

These 2 angles are great for viewing on the desk. Only thing is that it's not angled low enough for comfortable typing.

The front piece with the clear protective membrane does attract fingerprints and oils from the fingers. This photo is taken with a month's usage of average 2 hours a day.

OtterBox was nice enough to provide flaps to cover the 3 ports on the bottom and also the audio jack on the top right edge.

The buttons on the top are completely covered. The cover actually makes the buttons easier to push since one of the complaints about the Playbook is that the buttons are extremely flush and hard to press.

The audio jack has a cover as well, which takes some digging to pop out. I actually won't mind if they left the audio jack exposed since it would make it much easier access instead of always digging for the flap. The microphone hole is exposed next to the audio jack and also on the left side of the case.

Both speakers are exposed too. The OtterBox case curves up a bit on the edge and channels the audio pretty well.

The front and back pieces are made up of high quality polycarbonate shell and covered with silicone skin. And silicone loves dust! What surprised me is the little amount of dust I had on the case. I was expecting more after a month's usage but it seems to be pretty clean with only minor traces of dust. This OtterBox case is not waterproof because of the exposed parts of the case.

One thing about the OtterBox case is that it makes the Playbook look and feel huge. But I like it that way. The OtterBox case actually made it easier to hold the tablet and the extreme protection makes it feel sturdy. The case is priced at $69.95 direct from OtterBox. It's totally worth it for complete protection of the Playbook.
source: The Gadgeteer

Lenovo Announces ThinkPad Tablet, Details IdeaPad K1

Lenovo has finalized plans for their IdeaPad K1 and along with it detailed a new Android slate with the business user in mind. The Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet is an Android Honeycomb device with a 1GHz dual0core Tegra 2. Shocker, I know. The tablet also features a 10.1-inch screen, 1GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 16GB to 64GB. storage is further beefed up with 2GB of cloud storage being provided with each ThinkPad. Dual-cameras (2MP front, 5MP rear) round out the hardware. An optional keyboard folio takes advantage of the full-sized USB port found on the slate.

And what of that IdeaPad K1? It's everything we've already heard: 10.1-inch display, Android 3.0, 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2. It will launch with the Lenovo App Shop (the ThinkPad will, as well), the manufacturer's own Android apps marketplace. The IdeaPad K1 will also ship with a new build of Netflix designed to work with the tablet's native DRM.

The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 will ship at the end of the month with prices starting at $449 for the 16GB model. The ThinkPad is expected in August starting at $499.
source: Android Phone

Asus Eee Pad Transformer goes to India, priced at Rs. 32,999

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer has so far been one of the best selling Android Honeycomb tablets, if not the best selling, and that's thanks in no small part to its price, which is more affordable than the competition. After becoming available in the US, the UK, and in many other territories, the Eee Pad Transformer was finally officially unveiled in India yesterday.

The tablet is the same device that we know and love from elsewhere, and the recommended retail price is Rs. 32,999. That's quite a bit cheaper than the Motorola Xoom, which was launched in India last month.

Let's wait and see if Asus will be able to replicate the success that the Transformer has seen in the US, where it's in the habit of being sold out within hours of being in stock.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer has a 10.1-inch 1280x800 capacitive touchscreen, a 1 GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 16 GB of internal storage, a 5 MP rear camera and a 1.2 MP front-facing camera for video calls, Wi-Fi, and comes with a mini HDMI port.
source: Unwired View

Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets priced for Euro launch – from �369

We now have some official word from Lenovo UK on the release dates and prices of its new IdeaPad and ThinkPad Android 3.1 tablets, which were revealed last night. The mainstream IdeaPad K1 (pictured) will launch in the the UK this August, with prices starting at £369 (€459 in the EU)…

…while the businessman's ThinkPad Tablet will launch in September, with Lenovo giving that one a £399 (€459) launch price “depending on configuration”. Lenovo UK has already added full tech specs for the two tablets to its online shop as well.

Here's a UK specific version of the launch announcement:

Lenovo launches ThinkPad Tablet for business users and stylish IdeaPad K1 for consumers on the move – (UK and Germany)

Lenovo launches ThinkPad Tablet for business users and stylish IdeaPad K1 for consumers on the move

Tablet portfolio delivers style and thousands of apps and services for business and consumer users

July 20, 2011: Lenovo has today announced the launch of its robust ThinkPad Tablet for business users and the sleek and stylish IdeaPad Tablet K1 for consumers. The tablets are the company's first mobile internet devices featuring the Android* 3.1 platform.

"The ThinkPad Tablet has been designed for professionals and the IdeaPad K1 offers consumers the perfect, on the move, tablet companion," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Mobile Internet Digital Home business group, Lenovo. "Furthermore, the ThinkPad Tablet offers a selection of unique features that both business professionals and IT administrators prefer, including backend integration capability with Zero Touch deployment, full device and SD encryption, XML IT admin and ActiveSync policy support. While the IdeaPad K1 offers entertainment-friendly features such as 40 boredom-busting apps."

Lenovo's new tablets deliver an enhanced mobile experience and feature NVIDIA* Tegra* 2 dual-core mobile processors that offer extreme multitasking, noticeably faster web browsing with built-in Adobe* Flash Player, console-quality gaming and low power consumption for improved battery life.

"The Tegra 2 dual core processor is the perfect fit for Lenovo's tablets," said Michael Rayfield, general manager, Mobile Business, NVIDIA. "Consumers can now enjoy the whole web with Flash*, console quality gaming and high definition video. These are a must have for today's tablets."

Bringing Android to Business

The ThinkPad Tablet combines a superior media and entertainment experience with the security, reliability and manageability features for which ThinkPad is known to create a true business-class tablet. Designed as a companion computing device for professionals on the go, the ThinkPad Tablet includes an optional digitiser pen, a full-size USB port, full-size SD card slot, and mini-HDMI for connecting to external projectors and displays, as well as an optional ThinkPad quality Keyboard Folio Case with optical TrackPoint.

Data remains safe on the ThinkPad Tablet with layered data security, and the device is easily supported by IT managers thanks to a suite of business partner solutions that include anti-theft software and the ability to disable the tablet if the device is lost or stolen with Computrace*. Additional security features include virtual desktop support with Citrix Receiver*, simple zero-touch deployment with LanDesk* and secure email support available from Good Technology*.

Offering a 10.1" WXGA (1280×800) display weighing a mere 1.6 lbs, the ThinkPad Tablet also comes with an IPS display for a 178-degree viewing angle and scratch-resistant Corning* Gorilla* Glass. This business-class device keeps professionals connected, productive and entertained while they're away from the office and their home.

Simply put, Lenovo's ThinkPad Tablet can be trusted by professional users and IT administrators alike:

- Get more on the go: The ThinkPad Tablet allows users to view and edit Microsoft Office documents with the preloaded Documents to Go app by DataViz. Users can also plug in the Keyboard Folio for fast, comfortable and accurate typing and mouse control

- Get better connected: With WiFi connectivity, 2GB of free cloud storage, a standard size USB port and SD Card Reader and Lenovo's unique file copy utility, sharing media files and documents with other people and electronic devices is easy. Users can keep in touch with friends and business contacts using Lenovo's exclusive SocialTouch app.

- Get down to business: The ThinkPad Tablet can connect to a range of devices and networks without hands-on help from IT administrators. Users can utilise corporate network passwords and access devices and connect to corporate email — with the specially certified app, Good for Enterprise. Most importantly, users will have the ability to protect confidential data with robust security features including SD card encryption, lost device disablement and anti-theft software

Get more, more, more with the IdeaPad K1 Tablet

Weighing just 1.6 lbs, the sleek, stylish and completely portable IdeaPad K1 tablet offers integrated Bluetooth* and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity. The Android-powered IdeaPad Tablet has several key features and tools as standard, for flexibility, power and security to enjoy digital content anywhere:

- More out of the box: Preloaded with more 40 apps from partners like Amazon*, Adobe*, Electronic Arts*, Rovio* and Dataviz* amongst others, including favorites like Angry Birds*, Kindle* E-book Reader and Documents to Go*

- More entertainment: Browse all websites and watch online videos with ease thanks to Flash 10.3. Plus, with DRM, movies can be rented in every available format

- More social networking: Access an entire network of friends and social sites all in one place, with Lenovo's exclusive SocialTouch* app, which effectively creates a one-stop social connection. The IdeaPad Tablet K1 also comes with a two-megapixel front-facing and a five-megapixel rear-facing webcam

- More true HD and more cloud sharing: Watch movies and videos in breathtaking HD on a 1280 X 800 resolution screen. The mini HDMI connection allows full 1080p HD viewing when connected to an HDTV or monitor, resulting in a powerful visual experience. Sync, store and share files, music and photos with more integrated cloud storage

- More Apps: Access hundreds of thousands of apps in Android Market and apps tested exclusively for premium function on the IdeaPad Tablet K1 in the Lenovo App Shop

Lenovo App Shop – Premium Ecosystem of Apps and Content Services

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of apps available in Android Market, IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablet users have access to apps in the Lenovo App Shop — a unique app marketplace offering country-specific applications, currency, and languages, which features popular applications that have been tested specifically for Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad Tablets. The Lenovo App Shop, which supports enterprise applications and a private corporate application, offers apps within a broad range of categories including music, movies, books, productivity, social networking, weather, printing and more.

Pricing and Availability

The IdeaPad K1 will be available in August. Pricing for models starts at approximately £369 and €399 VAT included.

The new ThinkPad Tablet will be available in September. Approximate pricing for models will start from £399 and €459 VAT included depending on configuration.
source: Eurodroid

Lenovo Unveils Windows 7-Powered IdeaPad P1 Tablet

Lenovo has unveiled a new Windows 7-based tablet. The Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet P1 features a 10.1-inch capacity touch screen with 1,280 x 800 resolution, 1.5GHz Intel processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, up to 64GB of SSD storage, integrated 2-megapixel front-facing webcam, stylus input support, built-in Bluetooth/ 3G/ WiFi connectivity, a USB 2.0 connector, microSD card slot, and a docking port. The tablet measures 14.5mm thick, compared to the 10.9mm thickness of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The problem, however, with Windows 7 tablets is that all of them have the same issues: Too bulky and too slow to touch response. Analysts say that Lenovo should have waited for the release of Windows 8, but let's see if they have plans for that.

The Lenovo IdeaPad P1 would be available by fourth quarter of 2011 for an undetermined price. The device comes in silver-gray and “Clementine Orange.”
source: Gadget.com

Lenovo confirms its IdeaPad and ThinkPad Android 3.1 tablets

Lenovo has now placed some descriptive words on the record to accompany yesterday's leaked images of its forthcoming Android tablet range, confirming plans to launch two separate models, both powered by Android 3.1.

This is the IdeaPad K1, the most standard of the pair, arriving in your usual black slab format. At least it's got rounded edges. That'll help it stand out, eh?

The IdeaPad K1 is a 10.1″ model, running at 1280×800 resolution. Then there's this lump we've seen before, which is the…

…ThinkPad. The ThinkPad . Both are built around the dual-core Tegra 2 chipset. Here's the press release for the full facts – launch dates for the US are this summer, with a global arrival in Q3 and Q4.

Lenovo Launches Three New Tablets

Tablet family gives consumers and business customers a variety of choices

First Android 3.1 "Honeycomb" tablet certified for streaming from Netflix

Global tablet portfolio delivers thousands of apps and services for consumers and business customers alike

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - July 20, 2011: Lenovo today announced its first family of tablets - the IdeaPad* Tablet K1 for consumers, the ThinkPad* Tablet for business customers, and the IdeaPad Tablet P1 for home and office use. The new Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablets are the Company's first mobile internet devices featuring the Android^ 3.1 platform, and the IdeaPad Tablet K1 is the industry's first Android-powered tablet certified to deliver Netflix* video streaming. The Android-powered Lenovo tablets also provide access to more than 250,000 apps in Android Market^ as well as apps tested for the Lenovo device in the Lenovo App Shop.*

"Tablets are extremely personal technology devices. That's why we've created a family of tablets that has something for everyone, including entertainment-friendly features and content for consumers, or business-friendly features to enhance productivity for professionals as well as security and manageability for IT managers," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Mobile Internet Digital Home business group, Lenovo. "So whether it's the IdeaPad for entertainment or the ThinkPad for business, we have listened to our customers and are delivering Android-powered tablets designed to meet their particular needs.”

Netflix Anyone?

As the first Honeycomb tablets certified for Netflix, Lenovo tablets can help turn every night into "movie night." With HDMI output and Digital Rights Management (DRM) built directly into the IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets, Netflix members can instantly watch movies and TV shows streaming from Netflix directly to a big screen TV,

"We're very excited to see that TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix will be available on Lenovo's family of Android-powered tablets," said Bill Holmes, Netflix vice president of Business Development. "This is not only an important development for our company as we seek to expand the benefits of our services to more people, but also means that consumers now have greater choice in selecting a tablet device that best fits their entertainment needs."

NVIDIA Anyone?

Building on Lenovo's heritage of innovation, quality and reliability in PCs, Lenovo's new tablets deliver an accelerated mobile experience. The IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets feature NVIDIA* Tegra* 2 dual-core mobile processors that offer extreme multitasking, noticeably faster web browsing with built-in Adobe* Flash* Player, console-quality gaming and low power consumption for improved battery life.

"The Tegra 2 dual core processor is the perfect fit for Lenovo's tablets," said Michael Rayfield, general manager, Mobile Business, NVIDIA. "Consumers can now enjoy the whole web with Flash, console quality gaming, high definition video, and streaming Netflix. These are a must have for today's tablets."

IdeaPad Tablet K1: Open the Box and Play

Weighing just 1.63 lbs, the highly mobile IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers integrated Bluetooth* and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity. The IdeaPad Tablet K1 offers several key features and tools as standard, for flexibility, power and security to enjoy digital content anywhere. Simply put, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 helps users who want:

More out of the box: The Android-powered Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 is preloaded with more than 40 apps from partners like Netflix, Amazon*, Adobe, Electronic Arts**, Rovio*, Zinio*, Dataviz*, and others (over $50 in value), including favorites like Need for Speed**Shift, Angry Birds*, Kindle* reading app and Documents to Go*.

More entertainment: Users canbrowse all websites and watch online videos with ease thanks to Adobe Flash Player 10.3. Plus, with DRM, they can rent movies in every available format. At a later date shortly after launch, users will also be able to both rent or buy movies to play off-line with a new application Lenovo will pre-load.

More social networking: Users can access an entire network of friends and social sites all in one place, with Lenovo's exclusive SocialTouch* app, which effectively creates a one-stop social connection. And since one picture is still worth a thousand words, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 comes with a two-megapixel front-facing and a five-megapixel rear-facing webcam.

More true HD: Users can watch movies and videos in breathtaking HD on a 1280 X 800 resolution screen. The mini HDMI connection allows up to 1080p HD viewing when connected to an HDTV or monitor, resulting in a powerful visual experience.

More cloud sharing: Users can sync, store and share files, music and photos with more integrated cloud storage, and less reliance on their local storage.

More Apps: Users can access hundreds of thousands of apps in Android Market and apps tested exclusively for premium function on the IdeaPad Tablet K1 in the Lenovo App Shop.

ThinkPad Tablet Brings Android to Business

The ThinkPad Tablet combines the superior media and entertainment experience of the IdeaPad Tablet K1 with the security, reliability and manageability features ThinkPad is known for, to create the first true business-class tablet. Designed as a companion computing device for professionals on the go, the ThinkPad Tablet includes an optional digitizer pen, a full-size USB port, full-size SD card slot, and mini-HDMI for connecting to external projectors and displays, as well as an optional ThinkPad quality Keyboard Folio Case with optical TrackPoint*.

Data remains safe on the ThinkPad Tablet with layered data security, and the device is easily supported by IT managers thanks to a suite of business partner solutions that include anti-theft software and the ability to disable the tablet if the device is lost or stolen with Computrace*. Additional security features include virtual desktop support support with Citrix Receiver*, simple zero-touch deployment with LanDesk* and secure email support available from Good Technology*.

Offering a 10.1" WXGA (1280×800) display weighing a mere 1.65 lbs, the ThinkPad Tablet also comes with an IPS display for a 178-degree viewing angle and scratch-resistant Corning* Gorilla* Glass. This business-class device keeps professionals connected, productive and entertained while they're away from the office and their home.

Get more on the go: When work happens on the go, ThinkPad Tablet allows users to view and edit Microsoft Office documents with the preloaded Documents to Go app by DataViz. Or they can jot down notes that automatically convert to handwritten text with the optional ThinkPad Tablet Pen. When even more versatility is required, users can plug in the Keyboard Folio for fast, comfortable and accurate typing and mouse control.

Get better connected: With WiFi connectivity, 2GB of free cloud storage, a standard size USB port and SD Card Reader, and Lenovo's unique file copy utility, sharing media files and documents with other people and electronic devices is easy. Presentations may look even better when connecting to an external monitor via the built-in mini-HDMI port. Users can conveniently sync key files and folders with their tablet every time they plug into their Windows 7 PC. With apps like ooVoo*, dual cameras allow users to show either themselves or what they are looking at in a video conference. Users can keep in touch with friends and business contacts using Lenovo's exclusive SocialTouch* app, which puts social networks, email, and calendar notices all in one easy-to-use interface.

Get down to business: ThinkPad Tablet can connect to a range of devices and networks without hands-on help from IT administrators. Users can utilize corporate network passwords to access their device and connect to corporate email with the specially certified app, Good for Enterprise*. IT managers can easily create access unique corporate preloads from the Lenovo Image Technology Center as well as share and distribute company purchased or developed apps to numerous devices through a custom, corporate-controlled app store. Most importantly, users will have the ability to protect confidential data with robust security features including SD card encryption, lost device disablement and anti-theft software.

Get solid protection: ThinkPad Tablet customers will have access to Lenovo's full portfolio of enterprise-level services, such as ThinkPlus* Support, which provides business customers direct access to advanced technicians with tablet specific experience, and Tablet Protection, which gives business customers coverage for non-warranted damage from operational and structural damage due to drops, minor spills, electrical surges and other accidental damage incurred under normal operating conditions. In addition, Lenovo's Imaging Services help save IT departments from having to do custom images for each machine, and ensures that even with flash images, the warranty is protected and the tablet is ready-to-go right out-of-the-box.

IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 Does Double Duty in the Office and on the Couch

Lenovo's 10.1" IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Microsoft* Windows* 7 features a 1.5GHz Intel* processor so users can be more productive with Office* documents, or get creative with photos while on the move.

The IdeaPad Tablet P1 boasts a multitouch touchscreen display and optional stylus pen for added flexibility, easy access to Web content thanks to full Adobe Flash Player support and HD playback, and Microsoft Security Essentials for an extra layer of security. At just 14.5mm thin and weighing less than 2lbs, the IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 offers portability, power and versatility for the office, in the home and on-the-go.

Lenovo App Shop — Premium Ecosystem of Apps and Content Services

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of apps available in Android Market, IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablet users have access to apps in the Lenovo App Shop — a unique app marketplace, which features popular applications that have been tested specifically for Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad Tablets. The Lenovo App Shop offers apps within a broad range of categories including music, movies, books, productivity, social networking, weather, printing and more.

The Lenovo App Shop will also support enterprise applications and a private corporate application store to help businesses more easily integrate tablets into their daily operations. In addition, Lenovo will offer country-specific applications, currency, and languages.

Pricing and Availability

The 32GB model IdeaPad Tablet K1 is priced at $499, and can be ordered in the U.S. starting July 20, 2011, through select business partners and retail stores nationwide, or online at www.lenovo.com/tablets.

The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.

The 16GB ThinkPad Tablet is priced at $479 without the digitizer pen, and at $509 including the digitizer pen, for Wi-Fi models. The 32GB ThinkPad Tablet (Wi-Fi model) with digitizer pen is $589. There is also an optional keyboard portfolio carrying case available for $99. At a later date, shortly after launch, ThinkPad Tablets with 3G will become available. ThinkPad Tablet can be ordered in the U.S. starting August 2, 2011, online at www.lenovo.com/tablets, or through business partners nationwide. The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.

The IdeaPad Tablet P1 will be available in the fourth quarter 2011.

All Lenovo tablets come with a one-year warranty. Lenovo also offers warranty upgrade options that can extend the IdeaPad product warranty for one additional year, and the ThinkPad Tablet for two additional years.
source: Eurodroid

BlackBerry PlayBook update brings zip extraction, more storage options for attachments

RIM sure is working very hard lately. Their tablet's been on the market for three short months and is already set to receive its fourth software update. This go 'round, RIM added the ability to save attachments to a removable SD card or your phone's internal storage, extract zip files from email (although you'll have to use Bridge and port from your BlackBerry smartphone), a pinch-to-zoom feature for video viewing and — winner of the duh award — portrait viewing for photos. Also, the software now supports 15 additional languages — great news if you speak Galician. If you're planning on picking up this QNX tab, you'll receive the v1.0.7 update as part of the setup process. Current owners can wait for an update notification, or just pull it manually. The update is not exactly available yet, as some folks who downloaded the update were having connectivity issues using BlackBerry Bridge. RIM posted on Twitter saying users should expect a fix later this week.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Toshiba Tablet Stumbles Out of the Gate

While the device worked during Wired.com's testing period without issue, numerous customers have experienced problems with Toshiba's new Thrive tablet. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com

In a series of message board complaints on Monday, customers reported problems waking the tablet from its sleep mode. Instead of normally pressing the power button on the side of the device to turn on the screen, a number of users needed to do hard reboot — or a complete restart of the system software — in order to use the tablet. The complaints from forum members were first reported by Engadget.

“Toshiba is aware a limited number of Thrive Tablet users are experiencing Resume issues when in Sleep mode,” the company declared in a statement issued to Wired.com. ” We are aggressively working to implement a fix that resolves this issue and will push an update as soon as possible.”

It's rough news for Toshiba, as its new tablet product launches in a market packed with Android slate offerings. Beginning in February with the Motorola Xoom, close to a dozen new Android-powered tablets have been released in 2011. Most attacks on Android's tablet-optimized version, Honeycomb, focus on a “not quite finished” quality of the software. Toshiba's issues right out of the gate only exacerbate the beta-like feel of Honeycomb, which may bar customers from picking up a Thrive.

A number of Thrive owners posted their efforts in figuring out a workaround solution to the problem, with varied success. Some fixes included removing the battery and plugging the device into an A/C charger, tweaking the screen power setting so that it won't turn off (a horrible battery drain), and other more complicated workarounds.

But as one forum user states, “for the average consumer, that is a lot of hoop jumping for something that should just work.”

During Wired.com's period of testing of the Thrive tablet, we did not observe any issues with sleep mode.

Toshiba also plans to issue a software update to the tablet with system enhancements, most likely in an effort to distract from the negative attention.

“Toshiba will push an update to enhance the multi-tasking capabilities of the device within the next 48 hours,” the company said in a statement. “As a general practice, Toshiba recommends users download the latest system updates.”

Toshiba has yet to give an ETA on a fix for the Thrive's sleep issues, but customers should expect an over-the-air update soon.
source: Gadget Lab

Autodesk launches SketchBook Pro for Android tablets

Autodesk's latest drawing tool for Android has arrived, with the company translating its iPad SketchBook Pro drawing tool for use exclusively on Honeycomb-powered Android tablets. SketchBook Pro is a paid app that costs $4.99, offering advanced illustration tools on a par to those found in many desktop applications.

The company has also released SketchBook Express for Android 3.X tablets, a feature-limited free version. Here's what it looks like. The buyer must supply their own artistic abilities:

The app's Android Market listing is one of those rarities that states it requires Android 3.0 or higher in order to work.
source: Eurodroid

Lenovo ThinkPad Android 3.0 tablet pictures emerge

A handful of photos of an Android 3.X tablet from Chinese PC specialist Lenovo have appeared on the internet, showing a rather 1980s-inspired angular tablet complete with stylus.

The photos arrived without any official announcement on the Lenovo Picasa page, and have since been removed. Unfortunately for Lenovo, you can't really remove photos from the internet, so…
source: Eurodroid

Ingenium 2.3 Android Tablet

While tablets are quickly becoming more and more popular, there are still some issues that people have with this relatively new portable computing device. Not all tablets are able to do everything that a user needs. There seems to be certain limits in terms of features that do not usually sit well with users. The high price for the popular tablets today does not make it any easier. But if you wish to have a tablet that relatively does what a user needs, the new Ingenium 2.3 Android Tablet may be worth checking out.

The Ingenium 2.3 Android Tablet is a 7 inch tablet that comes with a capacitive multi-touch display. It is powered by Android and has a 1.2 GHz Telechips TCC 8803 Cortex processor. It also comes with a 512 RAM, 4GB storage with an additional microSD slot that can accommodate up to 32GB of added storage.

The Ingenium 2.3 Android Tablet also comes with a 3.0MP front facing camera, built-in speakers, WiFi as well as 3G support and a mini USB 2.0 and an HDMI port. Its Lithium 4200 mAh battery is good for 4 hours of continuous use per full charge. The Ingenium 2.3 Android Tablet is available at Chinavasion for around US$193.
source: Gadget.com

Lenovo Storms Tablet Market With a Triple Threat

Lenovo's ThinkPad comes complete with stylus. (Photo courtesy Lenovo)

Better late to the tablet game than never, Lenovo announced three new tablet offerings Wednesday, officially unveiling designs and specs on the products for the first time.

The IdeaPad K1 and ThinkPad tablets are set to debut in August, with the IdeaPad P1 to arrive at an unspecified date later in the year. The K1 and the ThinkPad will run Android Honeycomb 3.1, while the P1 will run Windows 7.

What may be even more exciting is that all three tablets will run Netflix, the first of any Android Honeycomb-powered tablets to do so. Although a handful of Android phones are able to run Netflix's Android app, Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch are all able to run the streaming movie service. It's a big deal that Lenovo's tablets will finally offer another solution to Netflix users who don't necessarily want to go with Apple.

The real star hardware is found in the ThinkPad, Lenovo's business-oriented Android tablet (pictured above). It comes with an optional stylus pen, but unlike the exorbitantly priced HTC Flyer's stylus — which cost a whopping 80 bucks to purchase with the Flyer — the ThinkPad's stylus will cost less than half that when bought with the tablet, a modest $30.

It's got some of the usual accoutrements found in Android tablets — dual-core processor, front and back-facing cameras — but also includes a number of uncommon connectivity options. HDMI output, USB 2.0 port, micro USB port, SIM card slot, 3-in-1 memory card reader — with this kind of connectivity, it's like we're looking at the back of a PC tower rather than a tablet. There's also a dock connector to hook the tablet up to both a charging station or the optional $100 folio, which acts as both a carrying case and a keyboard.

The ThinkPad will first launch in Wi-Fi only versions, but at an unspecified date shortly after a 3G version will go on sale. The carrier for the 3G version is yet to be named.

The IdeaPad K1 is more run of the mill, touting a list of specs similar to other tablets already on the market. (Photo courtesy Lenovo)

The K1 doesn't look much different from most Android tablets currently available for purchase. It sports a dual-core 1-GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor backed by a full gig of RAM, and it comes with a 10.1-inch display — all of which is identical to Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, which was released far before the K1 will come out. And like Toshiba's recently launched Thrive tablet, the tablet's back casing comes in multiple colors.

The one big draw — you'll be able to buy a 32 GB version for $500, the same as a 16 GB iPad 2.

Lenovo's IdeaPad P1 rounds out the threesome as a Windows 7-powered tablet. (Photo courtesy Lenovo)

Last but not entirely forgotten, the P1 touts a 1.5-GHz Intel processor, can support up to 2 GB of DDR2 memory, and will come in both Wi-Fi and 3G versions upon its eventual release. Like the ThinkPad, you can also purchase the P1 with an optional stylus.

The 32 GB IdeaPad K1 will be available for preorder online for $500 beginning today, with a release set for August. The 16 GB ThinkPad will also be available for pre-order online today for $530 with the optional stylus, and $500 without. It's also set to drop come August. Finally, the P1 hasn't got any availability or pricing information outside of a “fourth quarter” release time frame.
source: Gadget Lab

Is Asus EeePad Transformer the most successful Android tablet?

Reports claim that Asus is shipping somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 units of the Eee Pad Transformer per month, which is pretty impressive, especially since Asus appears to have orders for up to 4.5 million units for the second half of the year. You could be very pessimistic and say that shipments and orders do not equal units sold. However, the Transformer appears to be a bright light in what has been a very dark environment for non-iPad tablets so far, especially when it flies off the shelves pretty fast.

Asus is quiet about any numbers, but we know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom were not exactly blockbusters. The most successful tablet next to the iPad may have been the Blackberry Playbook, which strongly leverages the Blackberry platform as an incentive for Blackberry users.

The most promising candidate to rival the iPad appears to be the rumored Amazon Kindle tablet that could debut sometime during this quarter. If platform is what makes a tablet successful, then Amazon should have the best shot at an Android tablet these days.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Lenovo other tablet, the ThinkPad Tablet

ThinkPad, the almighty IBM Brand that brought the most amazing notebook ever made in America is now used by Lenovo to introduce their first, business grad Tablet, the ThinkPad Tablet.

Strangely here, Lenovo thought that Windows 7 was not so much important after all and decided to give its first ThinkPad Tablet the taste of freedom with Android 3.1 or Honeycomb. Powered by a Tegra 2 Dual Core 1GHz CPU, the ThinkPad Tablet comes with 1GB of RAM from 16 to 64GB of internal memory, a 2Mpix Front-facing camera as well as a 5MPix rear-facing camera, A-GPS, HDMI, a 3 in 1 Card Reader, the usual Bluetooth, WiFi, a nice external Keyboard, a 10.1x1280×800 IPS Battery and a 8.7h battery!

Now the good news is that this ThinkPad tablet is available RIGHT now in the USA at $499 MSRP, while its external Keyboard will be available at $99.
source: Akihabara News

Archos 80 G9 and 101 G9 Android tablets get official prices, starting at $299.99

Back in June, Archos amazed us introducing its two ninth-generation tablets (G9), the 80 and the 101. These will be the first Android-powered tablets made by Archos to come with the full Google apps package, Android Market included. They will also be the first Archos tablets to run Android Honeycomb, the tablet-optimized version of Google's mobile operating system. One of the strong points of Archos tablets in the past has been the pricing, so obviously we were expecting the G9 tablets to be priced competitively.

As a matter of fact, we did hear some mumblings about pricing during the original announcement, pointing to $279 for the 8-inch tablet, and $349 for the 101. Since then, things have apparently changed a bit, since Archos has now published official pricing information on its website.

The cheapest model of each tablet is exactly $20 more expensive than those prices that were rumored last month. That's not a lot, and third-party retailers may just have great deals on these tablets that will mitigate the price increase.

So, let's see. The cheapest you will be able to get the Archos 80 G9 tablet will be $299.99. For that amount of dough, you'll get 8 GB of integrated storage space, and a 1 GHz processor – not the 1.5 GHz dual-core behemoth announced last month. If you want that processor in your 80 G9, you'll have to shell out either $329.99 for a version that also comes with 16 GB of storage, or $369.99, in which case you'll get a whopping 250 GB of storage (courtesy of a Seagate spinning hard drive).

The cheapest version of the 10-inch 101 G9 tablet will go for $369.99. Again, this will come with 8 GB of storage and a 1 GHz processor. For $399.99 you'll get double that storage, so 16 GB, but unfortunately the same measly processor. If you want the dual-core 1.5 GHz CPU, you'll have to shell out no less than $469.99 for the version with 250 GB of storage.

Let me just say this outright: Archos is shooting itself in the foot here. I get the fact that the 1 GHz processor option is there to make things cheaper, but announcing one thing (tablets with a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor), and only delivering that on a limited number of SKUs isn't nice in my book. Sure, the situation with the 8-inch tablet is fairly okay, after all for $30 more than the base model you get double the storage plus the faster processor.

But selling the 101 G9 with the dual-core 1.5 GHz processor only if paired with the spinning 250 GB hard drive is not a smart move at all. While many people may appreciate having that much storage space on a tablet, many other people wouldn't like having an actual spinning drive in their tablet and would be very happy with 16 GB of flash storage (expandable anyway). Those people only deserve a 1 GHz processor on their 10-inch tablet, according to Archos.
source: Unwired View

Archos G9 tablet priced and ready to ship this September

Another day, another tablet makes the news, and here is the Archos G9 which will arrive this September for $299.00 a pop (and above, of course, depending on the capacity). Just what do you get out of this particular tablet, and what makes it so different from the rest that it deserves your attention (and money)? For starters, it will run on the tablet optimized Android 3.1 Honeycomb operating system, where you have up to 250GB of storage space to play around with.

The Archos G9 is powered by a dual-core TI OMAP 4 processor that runs at 1.5GHz, where the 8″ model will retail for the aforementioned $299.99, while the 10″ model is more expensive even at the base price of $369.99. No idea on how much the 250GB Model will cost though.

Oh yeah, just in case you feel that you need to have your Internet fix wherever you go, you will have an option to use it in tandem with a 3G USB dongle, but that would also mean an additional monthly commitment, of course.
source: Ubergizmo

LeapFrog LeapPad pre-sale units sold out in two weeks

Remember the LeapPad educational tablet designed for kids? Who would've thought it would sell like hot cakes? Well LeapFrog Enterprises, the company behind the LeapPad tablet has just announced that the LeapPad that became available for pre-sale at major retail websites on June 29th has officially been sold out. If you'd like to get your hands on one of these nifty tablets, you would have to wait until late August when stock will be resupplied.

Even though no sales figures were released, we're pretty sure they didn't sell iPad-like quantities of the tablet - but it's good to know that there is a market for educational/children-targeted tablets. In case you're not up to speed about the LeapPad, it is a learning tablet designed for kids aged 4 and up running on LeapFrog's own proprietary operating system with its own apps as well. The tablets retail for $99.99 and will be available from major retailers once there is supply again. Any of you picked up these tablets for yourself or your kids?
source: Ubergizmo

FCC Filing Suggests AT&T Launch for HTC Puccini Tablet

It's no secret that HTC is prepping a followup to their Flyer tablet released earlier this summer. The device has been floating around under the name Puccini and is expected to be a 10-inch slate running Honeycomb. We are now learning that the tablet could be headed for AT&T thanks to an FCC filing that detailed the new device's GSM 850x1900 and 3G WCDMA 850x1900 radios. But that's child's play compared to the Puccini's AWS radios supporting bands 4 and 17, hardware that seems primed for AT&T's upcoming 4G LTE network.

Other details that can be gleaned from the FCC filing include dual speakers and a lack of a 3D-capable camera setup, hinting that HTC will steer clear of the the third dimension on tablet for the time being.
source: Android Phone

RIM to discontinue Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook?

In a note to investors Monday afternoon, RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Mike Abramsky reiterated an OTR Global report that Research In Motion is possibly planning to stop production of the BlackBerry PlayBook's Wi-Fi model. The Wi-Fi version of RIM's tablet is the only version Research In Motion currently manufacturers. The reasons for the discontinuation of the Wi-Fi edition, Abramsky states, could be related to a pullback in production, a move that would align channel inventory with slower than expected sell-through, in addition to RIM focusing on upcoming cellularly-connected PlayBook versions.
source: Boy Genius Report

RIM: ‘No plan to discontinue' BlackBerry PlayBook

In response to a report published by BGR earlier today, Research In Motion confirmed that it has no plans to discontinue its Wi-Fi BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in favor of newer models expected to launch this fall. RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Mike Abramsky cited an OTR Global report in a note to investors on Monday that said RIM may be canceling the QNX-based tablet based partially on weak sales. Abramsky speculated that such a move might also allow RIM to focus on the 4G PlayBook and its upcoming next-generation QNX smartphones. “Pure fiction. No plan to discontinue,” RIM said to BGR from its official BlackBerry Twitter account. “In fact, WiFi PlayBook is launching in new countries practically every week.” RIM stated on its earnings call in mid-June that 500,ooo BlackBerry PlayBook tablets had been shipped in the fiscal first quarter.
source: Boy Genius Report

Verizon Transitioning to microSIM with Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE

For their first batch of 4G LTE handsets, full-sized SIM cards are the key to accessing Verizon's next-gen network, but that looks to be changing soon as Verizon will introduce microSIM for future devices. The first device to launch with the new standard will be the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE. Though in terms of network access there will be no difference between devices using a microSIM and those using a regular SIM, you won't be able to swap the differently-sized cards between devices.

The leaked document detailing the new SIM cards isn't clear on whether or not all future devices will operate with microSIM or if the Tab 10.1 is a special case. The document does state the the new-type SIMs will be introduced later this month, hinting that we might expect the Galaxy Tab 10.1 at that time as well.
source: Android Phone

Samsung Galaxy Tab now has a 'Smart Case' as accessory, looks familiarly like something else

They've been said to rip off Apple's iPhone and iPad design while supplying parts to Apple at the same time, and it seemed the court case from Apple isn't going to stop Samsung from copying Apple again!

Samsung is now selling this blatant copy of Apple's Smart Cover. It's manufactured by Anymode, a Korean company with a “strong affiliation with Samsung Electronics” as a “key accessories supplier”.

Called Smart Case - really - the Smart Cover clone comes in the same pastel colors as Apple's own and is being sold in Samsung's shops all over Korea. I wonder if they would have the Steel Balls to sell these outside their home country. Then again, the number of Galaxy Tab 10.1 sold due to their sky high price may put this in the dust anyway.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Asus Aims to Ship 5 Million Tablets in Second Half of Year

After a rocky start that saw the Eee Pad Transformer out of stock in most locations for the first few weeks of its launch, Asus is finally catching up with production. According to a report at DigiTimes, Asus is shipping over 400,000 units per month, with the number expected to rise closer to 500,000 in the third quarter. Some analysts believe that sales of the Transformer are slowing and that the device is in fact overstocked in some channels, a stark contrast to its initial launch. Still, reports claim Asus is aiming to move 4 to 5 million tablets in the second half of the year, 3 million of which could be the convertible 10.1-inch Honeycomb slate. New devices including the upcoming Asus Eee Pad Slider will only add to the total.
source: Android Phone

HTC Puccini tablet pays a visit to the FCC

The HTC Puccini is a tablet that has been rumored for some time already, and it seems as though rumor has now turned into fact – as the Puccini (sounds like some sort of spaghetti which is making me hungry) has arrived at the FCC under the guise of its model name, PG09410. The filings over at the FCC fail to provide curious onlookers with a decent view of the Puccini, apart from the label location that you see above. FCC test reports, however, do point towards the Puccini's slant towards AT&T's LTE network on both 700 and 1700MHz bands, which will more or less turn this into AT&T's first LTE tablet. Of course, this means the Puccini will also play nice with the current 3G (WCDMA bands II and V) network from AT&T. Check out the rumored hardware specifications after the jump.

While exact hardware specifications have yet to be confirmed, speculation is rife that the HTC Puccini will run on a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor, sporting a 10″ display at a decent 1,280 x 800 resolution, with Android 3.0.1 Honeycomb in tow for the optimal tablet experience. Other leaks in the past do point towards an interface which is not too far removed from the HTC Sense which you see on the company's range of smartphones.

Since it has arrived at the FCC, only one thing can be said about the HTC Puccini – it is well on its way, and we could probably see it arrive sooner rather than later. Best to set aside a budget for this puppy if you're interested!
source: Ubergizmo

Smart Cover for Samsung Galaxy Tab Looks Rather Familiar

In its legal dealings against alleged plagiarism of its designs, Apple calls Samsung “the copyist.” It is rather ironic, then, that even Samsung's accessory suppliers seem to be ripping of Apple's designs. Exhibit a: The Galaxy Tab 10.1 Smart Case by Anymode.

Once we get past the fitting of the case, which use a full, wraparound rear case to hold it in place (the Tab hasn't yet copied the iPad 2's embedded magnets), the Smart Case is an astonishingly bold rip-off of the Smart Cover.

From the four-sectioned, foldable cover/stand design of the front flap to the gray microfiber lining to the colors of the cover itself. You can pick between the muted green, baby blue and fiery orange of Apple's plastic covers, along with the dark red and black of its (inferior) leather covers. The gray, beige and navy blue colorways have sensibly been ignored.

The price for this startling “innovation”? 39,000 Korean Won, or about $37. Buy now, before Apple's legal team goes to work, yet again.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 Smart Cover [Anymode via Google News]

Exclusive: Drawing App for Artists Debuts on Android Tablets

After being available on the iPad for over a year, SketchBook Pro finally makes its way to Android Honeycomb tablets. Photo courtesy of Autodesk

Autodesk, most well known as creator of the popular 3-D design software AutoCAD, on Tuesday will announce the debut of its SketchBook Pro drawing application for Android tablets, the company has told Wired.com.

SketchBook Pro, essentially a digital canvas and brush set, allows you to use both your fingers and aftermarket styluses to create illustrations and designs. Included are over 60 different brush tools, the ability to create up to six different layers for one file, as well as the ability to export files to Photoshop.

The app was previously available on iPhone, iPad and Android phone devices, as well as in an expanded desktop version. This is the first version of the app that will run on Android's tablet-optimized software, a.k.a. Honeycomb.

“In this world, size matters,” said Chris Cheung, senior product manager of SketchBook products, in an interview. “There's this kind of different engagement — while phones are convenient and fit in your pocket, they aren't the same experience as using the app while holding something the size of an actual sketchbook.”

The app's tablet release is a timely one. Tablet manufacturers are trying hard to differentiate their hardware from others on the market, occasionally offering a stylus pen to complement a device. HTC's Flyer tablet, which debuted earlier this year, was the first major Android tablet launch to include a stylus. And if This Is My Next blogger Joanna Stern's sources are to be believed, we may soon see a tablet from Lenovo that includes a stylus as well. If so, Autodesk could potentially ride a wave of stylus-bundled Android devices to further popularity.

Though the software isn't exactly a sleeper. Autodesk says SketchBook Pro has already been downloaded over 5 million times across all available platforms.

The company has more than just armchair artists in its sights. Cheung says the software caters to both amateur illustrators as well as established professionals in the design industry. Take Helmut Jahn, a 76-year-old architect and self-avowed technophobe, for instance. Jahn says after discovering the app on the iPad, he uses it for “90 percent of the drawings he makes while on the road,” according to a recent Chicago Business profile.

“It doesn't remove the need for professionals and high end tools,” Cheung stresses. “But it basically almost level-sets the access to the technology. Effectively, we have these treasures that bring creativity to the masses.”

Of course, the artistic tablet software field isn't solely populated by Autodesk. Famed Creative Suite makers Adobe recently debuted three apps for the iPad, all of which work in conjunction with Photoshop on the PC. Using the Eazel, Lab and Lava apps, you can finger paint, select Photoshop tools and mix colors, transferring results from iPad to PC instantaneously.

The biggest sea change rests in the app's utility, rather than the new platform on which it will appear. Since the iPad's debut, consumer tablet devices have typically been seen as content consumption devices, readymade for movie viewing and game playing. With applications like SketchBook Pro and Adobe's new tools showing up on tablets, there's more of an emphasis on content production occurring on novel forms, outside of the traditional desktop environment.

The app will be available through the Android Market for $5 to users running Android version 3.0 and up on their tablets. If you want to try before you buy, there's also a free (though less feature-rich) version available for Android phones.
source: Gadget Lab

Sony CMT-CX5 HiFi system looks like the S2 tablet

If you're a fan of matching accessories with matching gadgets, you might want to check out Sony's upcoming wall mountable hi-fi system. Called the CMT-CX5, it looks just like Sony's upcoming S2 tablet when it's folded up. Featuring a sleek finish and nice, elegant curves, this hi-fi system looks like a nice addition to complement any music room or blank wall in the house.

Playing music from a variety of sources including iPhones, CDs, USB drives, and through its aux-in ports, it also features FM and DAB/DAB+ radio tuners (unfortunately there's no special dock for the S2, you'll need to connect it through the Aux-in cable). The CMT-CX5 also packs Sony's Dynamic Sound Generator X-tra processing for a “superior sound” experience. No word on pricing, but this sexy looking CMT-CX5 will be available in both black and white in the UK from August 2011.
source: Ubergizmo

Onda Vi30 Android-Powered Tablet

There are many of new tablets coming to market in 2011 and now we take a look into the newest addition of the Onda's Android tablet, known as the Vi30. On specs department, the device is powered by a 1.2GHz RK2918 Cortex-A8 processor, along with a 8.0-inch 1024 x 768 capacitive touchscreen display, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 512MB DDR3 RAM and 16GB of internal storage. At a price of 1,499 Yuan (about $232), you will also get 3G, WiFi, OTG function, a USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), 1080p Full HD video playback support, and HDMI port. It is runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. [ Via Onda ]
source: Today Gadgets

Haier HaiPad Android tablet Available in China

Those who living in the China will able to buy the Haier's HaiPad Android tablet as the device is now available in the country for 3299 Chinese Yuan or about US$511 after conversion. This tablet is powered by a FreeScale iMX515 A8 800MHz processor, with an 7-inch multi-touch screen equipped with two cameras around, WCDMA 3G connectivity as well as Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, including phone calls and text messaging capability, which it similar with the Samsung's Galaxy Tab. It is runs Android Froyo OS. Now folks in China can consider between Onda's Vi30 and Haier's HaiPad. [ Tech.Sina ]
source: Today Gadgets

Acer Iconia Tab A501 specifications updated to 64GB

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 might be getting an internal memory bump very soon, especially when you take into consideration the FCC Permissive Change notice concerning said device. Apart from an increase of its internal storage capability to hit 64GB, we are also looking at changes made to include new touch and image sensors.

To put it in a nutshell, these changes, when introduced alongside the 64GB Acer Iconia Tab A501, would make it the largest capacity of all Android-powered tablets right out of the box without requiring the help of an external memory card of sorts. At last, the 64GB iPad 2 which is on AT&T as will the Acer Iconia Tab A501, will finally see a potentially worthy rival. What do you think? Should there be other tablets that compete with Apple's 64GB effort, or should they leave it well alone and duke it out in the smaller capacity market?
source: Ubergizmo

Asus Eee Pad Transformer tests out Android 3.2

We do know that Asus has big plans for the Eee Pad Transformer, citing 400,000 units to be shipped before the year is over, so here is another piece of news that might just interest you if this tablet is under the survey of your radar. Yes sir, word has it that Asus is now testing Android 3.2 on the Eee Pad Transformer, now how about that? So far, we have heard that the Motorola XOOM will be receiving the Android 3.2 update soon, what with other tablet manufacturers also receiving the latest Honeycomb update to boot before Ice Cream Sandwhich comes around.

Just what will Android 3.2 deliver to the tablet, er, table? Well, it is said that you will get the usual trappings such as a faster boot-up time, the ability to choose your pointer speed, and less keyboard lag amongst other fixes. Not only that, XOOM-specific issues like its SD memory card slot has also been fixed, making us wonder just what else Android 3.2 has in store for the masses. Are you stoked yet?
source: Ubergizmo

Viewsonic ViewPad 10pro arrives at the FCC

When it comes to the world of tablets these days, it seems that the Android operating system has the most “fans”, as many hardware manufacturers have adopted the free operating system, hence helping keep the costs of the tablet device as low as possible. The iPad 2 from Apple needs no introduction, while the BlackBerry PlayBook is struggling although we do not have any concrete data on how the HP TouchPad would perform in the near term. What about Windows on tablet devices? Those are quite rare as well, but with Viewsonic helping out by throwing their weight with the ViewPad 10pro, things might spice up a bit in the tablet market. This 10″ device has arrived at the FCC, and interestingly enough, it allows you to switch between Windows 7 and Android.

We do know that the Viewsonic ViewPad 10pro will feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and an Intel Oak Trail 1.5GHz processor. This is not a true blue dual-boot device though, since it runs Android in a Windows-based virtualization application, so you can rule out reaping the full rewards of a true blue Android tablet. I wonder what kind of strain the processor goes through with the virtualization process going on…
source: Ubergizmo

Verizon Motorola Xoom to get Android 3.2 in the coming weeks

We already know that the Wi-Fi-only version of the Motorola Xoom is being currently upgraded to Android 3.2 Honeycomb. While reiterating that the upgrade for the Wi-Fi tablet is rolled-out in phases, Motorola also said on Twitter that Verizon's Xoom would get Android 2.3, too.

It didn't say when exactly, but the upgrade should be available to Verizon's users starting "the coming weeks." The new version of the OS will bring a "Zoom to fill screen" option (which allows apps not designed for tablets to perform and look better), and support for MicroSD cards.

The 3G plus Wi-Fi Motorola Xoom is currently offered by Verizon for $599.99 on contract. An upgrade to enable LTE should be also made available to Verizon Xoom users, but this will be a hardware upgrade, not a software one (which means you'll have to send your tablet to Verizon, and wait for it to come back with a new LTE radio in it).
source: Unwired View

HP TouchPad now available in the UK, Canada, Germany, and France

The HP TouchPad has finally become available outside the US, just five short months after it was announced. The few countries that were lucky enough to be granted the honor of selling the TouchPad starting today are the UK, Canada, Germany, and France. At least those have been confirmed until now. The TouchPad may have become available elsewhere too.

Many customers who pre-ordered a TouchPad in those countries may have already received it, but today is the first day when you can just go to an actual physical store to pick one up.

In the UK, you can get a 16 GB Wi-Fi model for £399, or one with 32 GB of storage for £479. Some of the places you can buy it from are PC World, Currys, Comet, the Carphone Warehouse, and even direct from HP.com.

In Canada, the prices are $449.99 for the 16 GB version, and $549.99 for double that storage space. Retailers that now sell the TouchPad include Best Buy, Future Shop, The Source, Costco, Staples, London Drugs, Rogers sales locations, the HP store in Vancouver, as well as HPshopping.ca.
source: Unwired View

In Another Dimension, the HP TouchPad Runs Android 3.0 [HUMOR]

And that other dimension would be Canada. Best Buy, Canada to be exact. One of the advertising wizards behind their weekly flyer has the HP TouchPad curiously listed as running Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Right…but the TouchPad actually runs webOS 3.0. We understand getting the 3.0 part confused, but a quick glance at the other side of the page clearly states webOS. Somebody didn't double check before sending this one to print.
source: Android Phone

Sony S1 and Sony S2 Preview (Android Tablets)

We have gotten our hands on Sony's S1 and S2, a pair of Android devices that bring their own set of innovation and differentiation to an already busy market. The physical differences are quite obvious: the S1 has one side with a generous curve, while the S2 is a folding, dual-screen, device. It's a rare, but not unique, breed in the Android world.

Sony knows that the good looks alone can only get one so far, that's why the company is also counting on software improvements in the user interface, content store and drivers – along with the PlayStation Certification, which means that both devices will be able to run a number of PlayStation (PSOne) games ported to Android by means of a PlayStation emulator.

Common Traits

We have to give it to Sony: both the S1 and S2 android devices have unique designs that aren't just a “copy” of what already works out there. Sony is taking a risk, but if it wants to position those tablets as “premium” Android products, they must have something special.

Sony did not provide the technical specifications, but both devices feature displays that are very sharp and readable. However, the screens were a little bit shiny indoors, so I expect them to be quite a bit shiny outdoors too. This is something that we will look closely when they will become available.

Both tablets are powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 2 system on a chip (SoC) and Sony has promised to deliver a faster user experience, thanks to in-house software optimizations.

On the connectivity side, the HSPA+ network has been chosen as a wireless protocol. Both AT&T and T-Mobile USA use it, and both call it “4G”, although it should be “3.5G” in my opinion. Yet, as of today, this is probably a good compromise between network speed and battery life. Later this year, new 4G LTE devices will come out, with better battery life.

Sony S1 Preview

This is the custom home page

The Sony S1 tablet has a particular design: it has been created to feel like holding a folded magazine in one-hand. The idea is that the center of mass is closer to the hand holding it, so it makes it more comfortable. The first iPad was criticized (for good reason) for being heavy to use with one hand. The iPad 2 is a bit better, but still far from perfect in that aspect. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is lighter and doesn't really suffer from the “one-hand problem”.

On a table, Sony says that the gentle slope makes it much easier to type on, without having to use a case to raise the tablet at an angle.

The slope should make it easier to type on

With the additional thickness, Sony can add a USB port to the device, although the company won't tell if it's a full-size USB, or a mini/micro USB port. Don't hold your hopes too high, but it seems big enough to accommodate a full-size port.

Additionally, the power and volume buttons are placed in such a way that accidental action is very unlikely. With other tablets, it's not uncommon to accidentally shut it down by unintentionally pressing the power button on the top or side.

USB: checked. But what type of connector is it?

Finally, Sony has added a docking port that should connect very easily. It's not anything like the 30-pin port introduced by Apple (and copied by many others) where you have to aim and carefully slide the tablet in. We will have to see how good it really is, but the idea is pretty neat.

The main question about this design is: will potential buyers mind about the additional thickness? Drop a comment to tell us what you think.

Sony S2 Preview

The “S2″ name comes from the dual-screen setup. Put together, the two displays form a surface is that approximately a 10″ square. Sony did not provide all the app development details, but Adobe hinted that it could be as easy as having apps using a virtual 10″ square surface. If that's the case, it won't be hard to port existing apps to this setup. However, it may prove more difficult to convince developers to build something truly tailored to it. We will have to wait and see, but the potential is there.

The Sony S2 can be used vertically, like a small book, or horizontally as a clamshell computer. When demonstrated, both modes were promising; but ultimately, their usability will depend on the apps. The eBook application looked very nice in portrait mode, and you can easily imagine that websites would look great when spanned across two screens.

I wonder what the battery capacity is on the Sony S2, because with the additional screen, the most power-hungry component of smart devices just got twice as big. The S2 seems certainly big enough to hold a substantial battery, but then, what will be the impact on the price? At least, it seemed fairly lightweight (for its size), but this is something that we will need to check again later.

It does fit in the pocket, although barely...

Finally, Sony pitches the S2 as being portable or pocketable. It's true, it technically fits in a pocket, but it is still big by smartphone standards. I may compare it with having the first PSP in my pocket. Yes, it fits, but it's not small.

Software / Content

Sony does recognize that differentiation should also be found at the software and content level. They are right: merely changing the icons and Android look and feel does rarely add real value.

To that end, the company has engaged in a number of optimizations that make the user interface faster. There's also a custom homepage in which the user can add shortcuts to many things like apps, media file, websites, etc… The overall goal is to make the user's day-to-day tasks easier.

The PlayStation Certification is also important to Sony and in my opinion, it goes well beyond devices. At the moment, there are only about 40 PlayStation titles available, but more should come as the Electronics (Sony Electronics) and video-games (Sony Computer Entertainment) divisions of Sony work together on this platform. The goal is to leverage the immense pool of PSOne games to entertain Android users.

At the moment, I'm told that making a PSOne game work on the Android PS emulator still requires quite a bit of work. However, this should get better over time and a few years from now, the sales of PlayStation games may generate quite a bit of profit for everyone involved.

Content: Last, but certainly not least, Sony does have a lot of content, including books, music and videos. This is not new, but few people realize that today, it's not easy to find great video content on Android tablets. Obviously, geeks can download and convert files (legally?), or head to YouTube, but I'm talking about newly released HD movies and TV Shows that should be a few taps away. Somewhere down the road, Google will do something about it, but right now, finding great videos is tedious at best. Sony can definitely do something about it.

I'm not sure if Sony will make its content available to every Android device out there. I could understand if it tried to leverage this to sell more of their own devices, but there is a huge need for an integrated store that has books, music and videos under the same roof, and this is an opportunity that someone else will take if Sony does not.

Conclusion Sony has taken the time to come up with a plan before entering the Android market. It's a plan that involves hardware, software and content, and so far, things seem to be moving along fairly well. Both the S1 and S2 devices have an innovative design and Sony seems to have its sights on the proper things to achieve.

We will have to wait and see how much the Android Market will change between now and the actual launch of the products. From a pure design perspective, both devices seem a little bigger than would they would ideally be and the competition with thinner devices may prove difficult to beat. Users can be forgiving for the Sony S1 because it will be transported in a bag, but the Sony S2 will have more convincing to do, I think.

Also, by September, we will have quad-core tablets, powered by NVIDIA's next-generation of Tegra SoCs, so the competition from a performance point of view will be stiff as well.

Overall, I think that Sony's aim is right: it needs a synergy between power, design, usability and content. In the long run, this is the best differentiation that can be established in the Android tablet market, and Sony knows that very few companies have the potential to pull it off. Can Sony do it? We'll see. What do you think? Add a comment to voice your opinion.

PS: AT&T is the exclusive launch partner for the Sony S1 and Sony S2 in the United States.
source: Ubergizmo