LTE tablet, smartphone coming to US Cellular in the next few months

US Cellular has announced via Twitter that it's going to release an LTE tablet in late March, and an LTE smartphone in April. Unfortunately, the carrier didn't provide further details, so that's all we know for now. However, its LTE smartphone could very well be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus - which, by the way, should be released by Sprint, too. As for US Cellular's upcoming tablet, maybe this is an LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which was already spotted in the carrier's systems. Perhaps we'll hear more about US Cellular's LTE-related plans next week at CES 2012. We'll certainly let you know if this happens.

Acer to release Iconia Tab A200 on January 15th starting at $330

Acer has officially announced the newest addition to the company's Iconia Tab lineup, the A200. The 10.1-inch device runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb with an Ice Cream Sandwich update slated for mid-February. The A200 features NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processor with a 1280 x 800-pixel display and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Additionally, the device features a microSD slot, 1GB RAM, a full sized USB 2.0 port and eight hours of battery life. Perhaps the most attractive feature is the price tag - the 8GB model will be available for $329 and the 16GB model for $349. An attractive price for a tablet that will have Ice Cream Sandwich next month is definitely appealing, so be sure to checkout our Consumer Electronics Show coverage, where this tablet is set to debut. Acer's full press release can be found after the break. Acer Expands Popular Tablet Lineup with Iconia Tab A200, A Full-Featured HD Tablet at an Attractive $329 Price SAN JOSE, Calif., January 5, 2012 - Acer America today announced availability of the Iconia™ Tab A200, the latest addition to Acer's line of full-featured Android tablets. The new 10.1-inch Iconia Tab A200 is a portable activity hub for gaming, e-books, movies, music, photography, social networking and more. Offered at the attractive price of $329.99, the Iconia Tab A200 will be available to U.S. customers on January 15. The new Acer Iconia Tab A200 tablet enables customers to interact with and enjoy technology in ways that are both truly natural and exciting. Loaded with the latest edition of Android™ Honeycomb™ 3.2 operating system, the Iconia Tab A200 is user-friendly and extremely interactive with resizable app widgets and fun features the whole family can enjoy. The Iconia Tab A200 also comes with a free upgrade to Android 4.0 (known as Ice Cream Sandwich), which will be available in mid-February. “The Acer Iconia Tab family of tablets is an excellent example of Acer's ability to deliver high-performance, full-function mobile devices at unbeatable values,” said Eric Ackerson, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. “Acer brings the Iconia Tab A200 to consumers at an affordable price, without making sacrifices on key tablet features such as expansion, connectivity to other devices, HD displays and cameras.” High-Quality Performance for Hours of Fun Sleek and easy to hold, the Iconia Tab A200 weighs 1.5 pounds. The tablet is wrapped in a slim, titanium gray-colored casing, with an eye-catching patterned back side, which is soft to the touch. On the front, the A200 showcases a beautiful HD multi-touch display featuring crystal-clear 1280 x 800 resolution for an outstanding viewing experience. Made especially for multimedia enjoyment, the Iconia Tab A200 packs hardware and apps for loads of fun. The tablet provides an enhanced level of performance with its NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 dual-core mobile processor and integrated GeForce™ GPU that allows users to enjoy HD gaming, 1080p video, Flash-based applications, faster browsing and multitasking. Gamers of all ages will enjoy the preloaded Tegra Zone Android app, which allows users to search and download the best Android games that are optimized for NVIDIA Tegra powered tablets. The Iconia Tab A200′s fast gaming experience is also supported by a six-axis motion sensing gyroscope, essential for high-precision gaming so actions and animations are more correctly performed. Users can enjoy up to eight hours of cable-free battery life , providing endless hours to surf the web, watch movies, play games and read e-books, far from the nearest electrical outlet. The Iconia Tab A200 comes pre-loaded with apps like Kindle for countless reading selections and Netflix for instant delivery of movie and entertainment titles. One tap on the Android Market allows users access to thousands of downloadable apps. Packed with Practical and Fun Features Offering superior expansion and connectivity, the Iconia Tab A200 has a full-size USB 2.0 port for hooking up other devices and a MicroSD slot and micro-USB port for passing data. A two megapixel front-facing web camera enables face-to-face chats or quick snaps for still photos. For an enhanced social networking experience, the Iconia Tab A200 includes Acer SocialJogger, which consolidates Facebook, Twitter and more into one spot. The Iconia Tab A200 improves multitasking with the unique interactive Acer Ring interface, allowing users to customize their tablet experience by putting their most commonly used applications into one easy spot. Users can launch the ring by tapping the double circle located in the system bar, opening a series of key apps, settings, bookmarks or contextual menu options. The tablet also features Screenshot, which quickly captures web images, articles, Google Maps and even smiling faces from video calls. Screenshot can be used in any app for maximum convenience. Acer clear.fi is installed on the Acer Iconia Tab A200 to connect with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital medai. Clear.fi automatically connects all Acer devices on a network (smartphones, notebooks, desktops, HD media plays and storage devices) and gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photos, pre-recorded TV). Affordable Pricing Starting at only $329.99 The Acer Iconia Tab A200 will be available in the U.S. on January 15 at national retail stores. The Acer Iconia Tab A200-10g16u with 16GB of memory has a manufactuerer's suggested retail price of $349.99, while the Acer Iconia Tab A200-10g08u with 8GB of memory has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $329.99.

Acer Iconia Tab A200 arrives in the US January 15th

Acer sure isn't wasting any time in getting the Iconia Tab A200 out to the masses. After being announced and made available in the UK last December, the tablet will soon be available to us folks in the US in 10 days. Acer America today issued a press release announcing the availability of the Android tablet with a definite date and price. The Acer Iconia Tab A200 features a 10.1″ 1280 x 800 display, a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM,86x16GB of internal storage, a 2-megapixel front facing camera, USB port, microSD card slot, DLNA, a 3,260mAh battery and Android Honeycomb. The Acer Iconia Tab A200 will set you back $329.99 for the 8GB version while the 16GB version will be priced at $349.99. Both versions will be available on January 15th at national retail stores. Anybody planning to pick up the tablet?

E-FUN Nextbook Elite 10 Android Tablet

[CES 2012] Tablets are dime a dozen, but that does not mean companies should give up altogether and concede the market to Apple. Android's got a pretty strong backing in terms of tablet manufacturers, and E FUN's Nextbook Elite 10 might have some pleasant surprises thrown your way. As the name implies, this model will come with a 9.7" capacitive color touch screen display at 1024 x 768 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. Underneath the hood would be a dual-core 1.1GHz (Cortex A9 based) processor from Broadcom, where the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system will ensure you have the smoothest Android experience to date. With over the air (OTA) update capability, you need not fret about hooking up the Nextbook Elite 10 to a computer and wait for the next firmware update. It will come pre-loaded with the Kobo eBook Store app, letting you choose from almost 2 million titles, including New York Times Bestsellers, award winners, and classics amongst others. Additional specifications include Wi-Fi connectivity, a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter, and the standard 4 buttons that most Android devices have for easier navigation. Expect to fork out anywhere between $249 to $279 for one.

Google's Nexus tablet may push Android partners out of the picture

Media tablets powered by Google's Android operating system have for the most part been unable to capture consumers' interest. With just a few exceptions, sales of individual Android tablet models have been extremely low by all accounts. Amazon's new Kindle Fire is one such exception thanks to an attractive price point and tight integration with Amazon services. Google has seemingly taken note of Amazon's success, and a new report suggests the company is working on a budget-priced slate of its own that will launch in the next few months. Read on for more. Google chairman Eric Schmidt noted last month that the company was working on an own-brand tablet, but there was a great deal of confusion surrounding his comments. ” next six months we plan to market a tablet of the highest quality,” Schmidt reportedly told an Italian newspaper. A spokesman for Google in Taiwan said the company had no knowledge of plans to launch an own-brand tablet, and Google's headquarters has remained silent on the matter. While Schmidt did mention that quality was a big deal, the more significant news may have been uncovered in a new report Thursday morning. Citing anonymous sources from within Google's supply chain, DigiTimes suggests that the slate will compete directly with the Kindle Fire at an enticing $199 price point. The site goes on to report that Google's Nexus tablet will feature a 7-inch display, and it will launch in March or April. Such a tablet would also undoubtedly be powered by Google's new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, and it would be built in cooperation with Motorola Mobility in all likelihood. Google is currently trying to acquire Motorola for $12.5 billion. It has already been widely discussed that an own-brand tablet from Google would likely cannibalize its Android partners' tablet sales, though there isn't much to cannibalize at this point. With prices of other Android tablets hovering around the iPad's $500 entry point, however, a $199 tablet from Google would likely render partner offerings obsolete. Who would purchase a $500 Samsung tablet when $199 will get you a slate “of the highest quality” that will also be the first such device to receive new software updates as they become available? Google has yet to confirm that it is working on a Nexus tablet and with the first wave of Android 4.0 devices from partners expected to be unveiled next week, it is unlikely that the company will discuss its tablet until some time after the Consumer Electronics Show. There have already been persistent rumors that multiple PC vendors plan to abandon their Android tablet efforts. Being forced to compete with a $199 own-brand tablet from Google as well as the iPad and Kindle Fire may be all the motivation these companies need to throw in the towel and wait for Windows 8.

Velocity Micro announces two new Android 4.0 tablets coming to CES

To get a jump on the competition, Velocity Micro has announced two new Android 4.0 tablets set to debut at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. The first is the budget-friendly 7-inch Cruz T507 tablet with a Cortex A8 chipset clocked at 1.2GHz. The T507 also features 512MB RAM, ARM graphics, HDMI out, 8GB internal storage and a front facing camera. The company also announced the T510, a 9.7-inch iPad-inspired tablet with the same internals as its smaller counterpart. Both devices will be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, though neither will have access to the Android Market and will instead use Amazon's Appstore.

Ice Cream Sandwich coming to the Transformer Prime January 12th

You might still be reveling in all the fun delivered by the latest update to the Transformer Prime firmware, but ASUS has some even better news — Ice Cream Sandwich is coming, and soon! In a post on Facebook the company announced that it would begin rolling out the latest version of the Android OS to its flagship tablet starting January 12th. The post isn't all celebration and back pats however, ASUS takes time to thank its customers for their patience before addressing the elephants in the room — GPS and the locked bootloader. While it does acknowledge there is an issue with GPS signal, thanks to the metal unibody construction, the company does skirt responsibility by claiming the Transformer is “not a professional GPS device” and admits to removing the feature from its specs and marketing materials. Lastly, ASUS explains that the locked bootloader is essential for access to content from Google's video market thanks to DRM restrictions, but it promises an unlock utility is in the work for those who want it.

AT&T To Launch Pantech Element LTE Tablet

AT&T gears up in introducing more LTE-capable devices, one of which has been leaked prior to launch. The Pantech Element, AT&T's newest LTE tablet, features an 8-inch display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, Android Honeycomb, and 16GB of internal storage. The Element also comes with two cameras: a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, and a 2-megapixel front-facing shooter for video chat. This tablet is also supposed to be ruggedly-designed as it is “waterproof for real life.” We think it means it can tolerate the occasional splashes, but do not dare bringing it into the pool. This despite the claims that Element has an IP57 waterproof rating (submersible in up to one meter of water). The Pantech Element is expected to be officially unveiled on January 8, with a reasonable $299 price tag plus contract.

Kindle Fire's Silk browser hacked to run on other Android devices

Amazon's Silk Web browser has received mixed reviews from the media and from consumers. In our review of the Amazon Kindle Fire, we noted that loading Web pages in the cloud-assisted browser on the tablet seemed to stall at first but once content finally began downloading, it indeed seemed to move very quickly. Other reviews found Silk to be much slower than other comparable browsers, however. Curious Android device owners who aren't among the millions who purchased the Kindle Fire ahead of the holidays can now install Amazon's Silk browser on a variety of rooted handsets and tablets thanks to the work of an xda-developers forum member. Results are mixed so far, and the port will not work on the Galaxy Nexus, among other handsets. Many users have successfully installed the browser on a variety of devices including the Motorola ATRIX and the Samsung Galaxy Tab, however.

ASUS to debut 7-inch Eee Pad tablet at CES

ASUS took the Android world by storm when it launched the Eee Pad Transformer last year. The Taiwanese company again shook things up with a sequel, the Transformer Prime. Both devices featured a 10.1-inch display with the ability to dock into a keyboard, transforming the tablet into a netbook. However, newly-leaked promotional images obtained by Notebook Italia suggest that ASUS is readying a 7-inch Eee Pad tablet that is set to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in just a few weeks. It is unclear whether this new device is the delayed Eee Pad MeMO, that debuted at last year's CES, or perhaps a smaller Transformer tablet. Luckily for us, we won't have to wait long until this mystery device becomes official. Read

Classpad enters budget tablet market in India

As we are now in 2012, austerity measures are being put in place just about anywhere and everywhere you turn to. After all, the world economy is not exactly booming, and there is plenty of firefighting to be done by governments worldwide to make sure they do not go under. India, however, is set to continue on a boom, and the budget tablet market scenario heats up with the introduction of yet another player – the Classpad, targeting schools and young students. Developed by Classteacher Learning Systems, the Classpad's main function is to improve learning and interaction in the classroom. Needless to say, should it take off successfully, Classteacher Learning Systems is not going to lose the chance of it being released to the masses. Pricing for the Classpad starts from $140 thereabouts, hitting a high of $265 with all the bells and whistles thrown into the mix. That makes it pricier than the $45 government-sponsored Aakash, but you get what you pay for in this case, considering the Android 2.2 Froyo powered Classpad will feature up to 8GB of internal memory, sporting a superior 6-hour battery life and a more refined touch-screen user interface. Where will the Ubislate 7 fit in this new scenario? Only time will tell.

7-inch Asus Eee Memo Pad gets leaked, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon inside

The Asus news, it just keeps on flowin'. Shortly after getting a sneak peek at the Eee PC Flare, in flies yet another leaked image of yet another leaked ASUS product. This go 'round, we're looking at what's purportedly the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad, a handy little fellow that we've actually heard about before. We're told that it'll ship with a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 16GB to 64GB of internal storage space, built-in 3G, WiFi and a 1,280 x 800 screen resolution, and it's apt to be revisited at CES 2012 before launching as an Asia-only product later in the year. It's hard to say what edition of Android will pop up when this is formally unveiled next week at CES, but we're guessing that it'll stick its tongue out at the long-awaited Padfone when it's introduced.

7 inch Asus Transformer Prime and new Eee Pad Memo tablet to be announced at CES 2012?

Asus is reportedly getting ready to launch a 7-inch version of its Transformer Prime Android tablet (the first in the world to feature a quad-core processor). According to Notebook Italia, the 7 inch Transformer Prime will be officially announced at CES 2012 (January 10 - 13). With it, a redesigned Asus Eee Pad Memo (initially announced last year) should be unveiled, too. The Italian website has an image of a new Asus tablet, but it's not clear if this is the 7 inch Transformer Prime, or the refreshed Eee Pad Memo: Both the 7 inch Transformer and the Eee Pad Memo will most probably come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on board. The new Pad Memo should also have a 7 inch (1280 x 800) display, plus 3G, Wi-Fi, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, and up to 64GB of internal memory.

All BlackBerry PlayBook tablets going for $299

Looks like the BlackBerry PlayBook is now going up for sale with yet another massive discount. While it's no HP TouchPad firesale, you can now purchase any BlackBerry PlayBook for $299. Yes that's right - regardless of whether your choose the 16GB, 32GB or 64GB model, the PlayBook will cost the same price - which basically means: don't expect the 64GB model to stay in stock for long (assuming the tablets sell well). We're talking about savings of up to $400 here! The BlackBerry PlayBook sale promotion will end on February 4th, so head over to RIM's online store now if you'd like to pick one up. Be sure to read our review of the BlackBerry PlayBook if you're on the fence about making a purchase.

Windows 8 tablets from Acer and Lenovo arriving in the second half of 2012?

Windows 8 doesn't have an official release date, but it looks like we'll be seeing it in the second half of this year - according to the folks over at DigiTimes. They've reported that Acer and Lenovo are reportedly working on Windows 8 tablets that will be released in Q3 2012. The tablets will be running on Intel's upcoming Clover Trail processor as opposed to the new Medfield processors that will be released in the first half of the year. A new version of the Windows operating system, and new processors to go along with it - 2012 is sure shaping up to be an interesting year. Stay tuned for more details.

Secret Motorola XOOM project hints at Android 4.0 update

Motorola recently posted a message in its XOOM owners forums alerting customers that the company is working on a confidential project for the XOOM. Any owner of the Wi-Fi-only “Google Experience Device” version of the XOOM can choose to participate. What remains unknown, however, is what the “confidential project” exactly is. We doubt Motorola would spend too much time adding new features or making too many tweaks to the tablet now that a new model has launched, so we think it's more likely that the company is working on a test version of Ice Cream Sandwich. Motorola confirmed that in October that it plans to issue an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to the XOOM, RAZR and DROID BIONIC. The full letter from Motorola follows after the break. Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are preparing a project for owners of the "Google Experience Device" version of the WiFi-only Motorola Xoom. (This is the U.S. version only.) If you own this particular model, we would like to invite you to participate. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey for this project. Please note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to take part. We have recently moved our forums communities to a new site, and YOU MUST RE-REGISTER to be considered a member. Please visit our new site and complete your registration update if you have not done so already. Be sure to fill out the MFN opt-in information on the new site. This is a confidential project under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this project on any public sites. Thanks - please understand that project start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. - Matt Motorola Owners' Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Samsung to re-examine Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab Ice Cream Sandwich update

Late last week, Samsung announced that the highly-popular Galaxy S line and original Galaxy Tab would not be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Outraged customers took to the web en masse to express their disapproval of Samsung's decision. The technology giant originally claimed that the Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab were having trouble fitting Samsung's entire Android suite, which includes its custom TouchWiz user interface, because of the device's limited memory. Due to customer demand, however, the company is now backtracking from its original announcement and re-examining the devices, MSN Korea reports. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Motorola's Droid Xyboards now $50 cheaper at Verizon

Available at Verizon since earlier this month, the Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and Droid Xyboard 10.1 were launched at prices starting at $429.99, and going up to $729.99. Now Verizon seems to have realized that those prices were too high (especially since they all require a new 2-yr contract agreement). So it decided to offer each of the Xyboard models (8.2 16GB, 8.2 32GB, 10.1 16GB, 10.1 32GB, and 10.1 64GB) for $50 less. You can go here at Verizon to choose any of the Xyboards right away. Both the Motorola Xyboard 8.2 and Xyboard 10.1 feature dual-core processors, and run Android 3.2 Honeycomb (but will most probably be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich next year).

Acer A200 and A700 tablets set to debut at CES

Earlier this month, Acer announced its Iconia Tab A200 tablet, a 10.1-inch device running Ice Cream Sandwich and NVIDIA's Tegra 2 processor clocked at 1GHz. The slate is supposed to land sometime in January and should make its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show. It is also suggested that Acer will be releasing a robust Tegra 3-powered device dubbed the Iconia Tab A700, as reported by NoMobile. The Russian site says the tablet features a 10.1-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution. Additionally, the device sports a dedicated rotation lock switch, a micro-HDMI port, and both a SIM and micro-USB slot. On the back of the tablet is a textured design with a five megapixel camera and built-in flash. The A700 weighs 650 grams (1.43 pounds) and boasts 10 hours of battery life according to the report. Much like its less powerful brother, the A700 will debut at CES in January, however it reportedly won't arrive in stores until March.

Toshiba has a Tegra 3 tablet in the works?

A new tablet has popped up in the benchmark listings on AnTuTu's website (AnTuTu is a benchmarking app for mobile devices) and this time it belongs to Toshiba. The tablet is listed under the name “Tostab06″ which is similar to the other names that Toshiba has been using for its previous tablets. While it wasn't explicitly stated that the tablet was running on a Tegra 3 processor, it does list a clock frequency of 1400MHz and its results are comparable to those of the ASUS Transformer Prime - a Tegra 3-powered tablet, which has led to the speculation that the “Tostab06″ uses the same quad-core processor as well. Other than the benchmark results, there are no additional details about the tablet, so there's not much to say for now, but it sure looks like the Tegra 3 is following in the footsteps of its popular predecessor - the Tegra 2. Expect many more tablets in 2012 to be running on NVIDIA's Tegra 3 SoC.

Quad-core Acer Iconia Tab A700 Android tablet shows up in photos, should debut at CES 2012

That rumored Acer Iconia Tab A700 tablet has been finally spotted in some photos, allowing us to see that it doesn't look too different from the already announced Iconia Tab A200. Unlike the A200, though, the A700 has a camera on the back (5MP with flash), a quad-core processor (Nvidia Tegra 3), and a 10.1 inch display with a higher resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels (WUXGA). Other features: 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5mm headset jack, Dolby Mobile sound, MicroUSB, Micro HDMI, front-facing camera, and a 9,800 mAh battery. Acer should officially announce the Iconia Tab A700 at CES 2012 (10 - 13 January). Since the A200 comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the A700 will most likely run ICS, too.

Acer Iconia Tab A700 detailed

The Acer Iconia Tab A200 recently went on sale in the UK, and it looks like the tablet has an older sibling in the works. According to a Russian mobile site, NoMobile.ru, there is going to be a new Acer tablet that will make its debut next month at CES 2012 - the Acer Iconia Tab A700. The tablet will be thinner than the A200, and will feature a 10.1″ (1920 x 1200) display, the Tegra 3 processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera with built in flash and a touted battery life of 10 hours. The tablet will features SIM card and MicroUSB slots, a dedicated rotation lock switch, volume buttons, an audio jack, and a micro-HDMI port. No word on pricing but the tablet is expected to hit the stores in March 2012. Stay tuned for more details.

Photos of Intel's Medfield Android developer tablet emerge

Intel's upcoming Medfield mobile processor will most likely be the focus of the company's Consumer Electronics Show keynote next month. The Medfield has been reported to outdo NVIDIA's Tegra 2 and even Qualcomm's S3 dual-core processor. An Android Community tipster recently got his hands on a Medfield developer tablet, the site reports, and he raved about the quality of the device. According to the tipster, the 10.1-inch tablet is thin and the weight feels good without giving the device a cheap feel. The device runs Android 3.x Honeycomb and is powered by Intel's 1.6GHz dual-core Medfield Atom processor. It also sports an array of useful ports, including micro-USB, mini-HDMI and microSD slots. Medfield-powered devices are set to be released in the first half of 2012.

Latest update brings TouchWiz to Verizon's Galaxy Tab 10.1

When Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 first launched earlier this year it was running a stock version of Honeycomb. At CTIA 2011, the South Korea-based vendor showed off its TouchWiz user interface and promised an update for tablets in the near future. While Wi-Fi versions of the slate were updated soon after the announcement, Verizon's LTE variant was left untouched - until now. Verizon is currently pushing an over-the-air update that brings TouchWiz along with other fixes and improvements to the Galaxy Tab 10.1. TouchWiz includes numerous custom widgets, a mini app tray, and various “Hubs” for social media, reading, and music and videos. Other additions for the device include support for DivX video along with Bluetooth 3.0 and Samsung's AllShare DLNA solution. It would be best to connect to Wi-Fi when applying the update, which is a 351MB download.

Iconia Tab A200 and A700 slates head to CES

Acer already spilled the beans on its Iconia Tab A200, a 10.1-inch slab powered by NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, but whatever happened to that Tegra 3 touting A700? It went to Russia, of course. According to NoMobile.ru, the A200′s slimmer, but more powerful brother will debut at CES 2012 next month. The Ruskie site pegs the tablet's 1920 x 1200 resolution screen at 10.1-inches, which is bordered by SIM and micro-USB slots, a dedicated rotation lock switch, the standard volume rockers, an audio jack and a micro-HDMI port. On its rear they found a textured back garnished with a five megapixel camera sporting a built-in flash — the whole unit weights 650 grams (1.43 pounds) and boasts a ten hour battery life. When can we see it? At CES, says NoMobile.ru, or in stores if you're willing to wait until March.

Samsung may offer ‘value pack' instead of full Android 4.0 for Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab

Samsung originally went on the record stating that it will not provide an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for the Galaxy S or 7-inch Galaxy Tab. The company originally cited memory issues related to its TouchWiz user interface, but on Tuesday, reports surfaced suggesting that Samsung HQ was reconsidering its original statement. A more recent report published by the South Korean website Duam on Wednesday, however, said Samsung may instead offer an “Android Value Pack” that will include a number of enhancements to both devices without the need for full-blown Android 4.0. Duam said the value pack update could offer improved web surfing, better multitasking, new widgets, camera improvements and more. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.