Huawei MediaPad Soon Receives Ice Cream Sandwich Update

Back in the summer of 2011, Huawei introduced its MediaPad, one of the first tablets to come pre-loaded with Android 3.2. With the impending release of Android Ice Cream Sandwich, Huawei wants their devices to remain updated with the times. The Chinese manufacturer has announced that its current MediaPads will receive Ice Cream Sandwich updates by the end of first quarter 2012. Apart from that, the company also offers a slew of new MediaPad tablets, which includes a new color series that comes pre-loaded with Android 3.2. The new colors include shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink (pictured). MediaPad features a 7-inch “high-quality” display with 1,280 x 800 resolution, full HD 1080p video playback, Qualcomm dual-core 1.2GHz processor, and a battery life of up to six hours.

Archos 101 G9 and 80 G9 tablets will be updated to Android 4.0 in the first week of February

Looks like Asus has some competition on the Ice Cream Sandwich update front. And it's not one of the big guys in the Android world. It's Archos. The company has told Android Police that all its G9 tablets will receive updates to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich during the first week of February. That may even be sooner than Asus will manage to update its original Transformer tablet, and it will certainly be sooner than any other Android tablet maker will issue this update for any device. So kudos to Archos if this really happens. The Archos 101 G9 and 80 G9 are two very interesting Android tablets launched last year running Android 3.2 Honeycomb. They're Archos' first devices to feature the Android Market, and they're both very affordable, especially considering the specs (the only downside is having just 512 MB of RAM).

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0N Plus shows up in Germany, circumvents Apple's design patents

Following its legal troubles in Germany, where Apple successfully banned the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from being sold based on design patents, Samsung redesigned its tablet and launched the Galaxy Tab 10.1N in November. It's been on sale since then, even though Apple did try to get it banned too. However, it's unlikely that it will succeed. And now we get another Samsung tablet redesigned for Germany. This time it's the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, and the new version is, unsurprisingly, called Galaxy Tab 7.0N Plus. Like its bigger brother, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N, the Galaxy Tab 7.0N Plus has a re-done bezel, complete with a visible metallic frame and speakers now integrated into that frame. This will supposedly alter the tablet's appearance enough so that people don't confuse it with Apple's iPads. The Galaxy Tab 7.0N Plus still runs Android Honeycomb unfortunately (an update to Ice Cream Sandwich is expected at some point though), and all the specs are unchanged. It's a purely cosmetic makeover, this, one undoubtedly intended to make sure that Apple can't ban Samsung's new 7-inch tablet from being sold in Germany. The only bad news here is the pricing, a reportedly absurd €600. While Samsung has overpriced tablets before, this is a bit much even for the Korean company. So we're hoping it turns out not to be true.

Dell to re-enter the tablet market in late 2012, likely with Windows 8

Dell has had trouble in the mobile and tablet space. The company's CEO, Michael Dell, has continuously bashed Android, and its Streak phone-tablet line was a commercial failure that was eventually abandoned. The once-dominant PC corporation has examined the company's shortcomings and now understands that consumers value the “ecosystem” of a tablet as much as the hardware, according to Dell chief commercial officer Steve Felice. “We have been taking our time. The general failure of everyone that's tried to introduce a tablet outside of Apple” said Felice in an interview with Reuters. “You will see us enter this market in a bigger way toward the end of the year. So we are not really deemphasizing it, we are really being very careful how we enter it.” The company hasn't announced which non-Apple operating system it might adopt, saying both Android and Windows 8 were viable options. However, Felice did say that he liked the feel of Microsoft's touch-enabled operating system, which should debut later this year. Dell plans to focus on the consumer level of products rather than the enterprise, although the company's products will remain compatible within the business marketplace. “When we introduce the products, they will be consumer products, but we are going to make sure that they are very compatible with the business marketplace, which we don't think Apple has addressed,” said Felice. “There's lot of use in the commercial sector that requires security and more compatibility, and I think we will be able to address that in a better way.”

Huawei MediaPad to ship with Ice Cream Sandwich, older models will be updated

Last summer, Huawei's MediaPad was one of the first manufactures to ship a device pre-loaded with Android 3.2 Honeycomb. The Chinese company is now attempting a similar strategy with the release of Ice Cream Sandwich. Existing models of the MediaPad will receive an Android 4.0 update by the end of the first quarter, and new MediaPads will come pre-loaded with the software beginning some time the first quarter. Additionally, the tablet will be offered in the current color scheme, and will add shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink to the mix. The MediaPad features a 7-inch 1280 x 800-pixel display that supports 1080p full HD video playback, a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor and six hours of battery life. Read on for the company's full press release. Huawei's MediaPad Now Comes with Android 4.0 Huawei also unveils new MediaPad color series, operating on Android 3.2 LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced that the Huawei MediaPad is now one of the world's first tablets to come pre-loaded with the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. First launched in June 2011, the original MediaPad was the world's first 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet. This latest version of the MediaPad once again provides users with the very latest Android experience, along with access to the newest and hottest services and apps available in the Android marketplace. Huawei also unveiled its new MediaPad color series - fashionable MediaPads in three new colors: shadow black, classic brown, and passion pink and running on Android 3.2. Both MediaPad versions have a high-quality display, with screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels at 217 PPI and supporting 1080P Full HD video playback. Additionally, they come with a Qualcomm dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and have a battery capacity of six hours or more. “In a tablet market defined by staid black and white tablets, the new colorful MediaPad offers a personalized look without the need for an external case,” said Richard Yu, Chairman, Huawei Device. “With a hardware package that includes a high-quality screen, a powerful dual-core processor, and long battery life, these colorful MediaPad embodies a rare combination of style and performance.” Huawei's new MediaPad color series and the MediaPad with Android 4.0 will be available in selected markets in the first quarter of 2012. Existing MediaPad owners will receive an OTA Android 4.0 upgrade to their tablets by the first quarter of 2012.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga is a combination of a laptop and a tablet. Powered by the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, the IdeaPad Yoga features a 360-degree flip-and-fold design, a 13.3-inch touchscreen display with a 1,600x900-pixel resolution, Intel's Ivy Bridge Core i-series processor, up to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Its battery offers up to 8-hour of battery life. Measuring 16.9mm thick and weighing 3.1 pounds, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga will be launched in the second quarter of 2012 for $1,199 upwards. [CNet]

Huawei MediaPad to be preloaded with Ice Cream Sandwich

Remember the Huawei MediaPad that was announced in June last year? It's been awhile since the tablet has been released in Asia, but we've yet to see it on our shores despite it visiting the FCC twice. Today's news doesn't signify that we're any closer to its release, but according to Huawei, the MediaPad will now be preloaded with the latest version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich). For those of you who already own the tablet fret not - the over the air update to Ice Cream Sandwich will be pushed out to the MediaPad by the first quarter of 2012. In addition to announcing Ice Cream Sandwich for the tablet, Huawei also mentioned that the tablet will be available in a new series of colors - good news for folks who thought the current black version was a little too boring.

Viewsonic announces ViewPad E70 tablet, delivers Android Ice Cream Sandwich for $170

Viewsonic announced another addition to the company's ViewPad tablet line at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday, the ViewPad E70. The 7-inch tablet runs Google's latest operating system, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and features a 1GHz single-core processor, 4GB of storage, HDMI-out, and a front facing camera. While the specs may not outshine the competition, the $170 price tag absolutely has our attention. The ViewPad E70 is slated to be available late in the first quarter of this year. Full press release is after the break. ViewSonic Introduces New Android™ 4.0 Tablet at CES 2012 ViewPad® E70 featuring the latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system provides a premium mobile entertainment experience for web surfing, e-reading, gaming and more WALNUT, Calif. - January 10, 2012 - ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced the newest addition to its tablet line, the 7″ ViewPad E70. The ViewPad E70offers the ultimate in value and fun for a premium tablet experience at an affordable price, featuring Google's latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, super light weight compact design and premium apps and services. The ViewPad E70 brings advanced technology to consumers with rich features and premium value, for an extremely portable and affordable mobile entertainment device. Integrated apps and services provide easy access to leading multimedia, entertainment content, and thousands of mobile apps offered. The compact, ultra slim Android 4.0 tablet ships with a 1GHz processor and 4GB memory storage. Other features include a front-facing camera, Wi-Fi support and microSD expandable storage up to 32 GB. The ultra-portable design makes it easy for users to bring the device on-the-go for viewing and streaming multimedia with the included 1080p HDMI output. “ViewSonic is committed to delivering advanced technology designed with the consumer in mind,” said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic. “Featuring the latest Android operating system, along with leading apps and services for entertainment content, the ViewPad E70 continues the ViewSonic tradition of bringing feature-rich products to new markets.” ViewPad E70 delivers a rich user experience with included apps, premium features, and the latest Android 4.0 operating system. One of the most portable and affordable tablet products on the market, ViewPad E70 is designed to meet consumer demand for a tablet that delivers on both quality features and value. The ViewPad e70 will be available for an ESP of $169.99 in late Q1.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga convertible tablet runs Windows 8, set to arrive later in summer

If CES is the place where companies can demo products they don't intend to sell for another six months, what better place for PC makers to tease their first Windows 8 tablets? Though the OS isn't expected to reach its final stage until later this year, Lenovo is already showing off the IdeaPad Yoga, a convertible tablet with a screen that flips over, like a cover on a spiral-bound book. If you like, you can bend it partway so that the keyboard functions as a stand when you're in the mood to watch a movie. According to some Lenovo reps, it's clear the company sees this as a laptop first, and tablet second. The proof is in the specs, really. It weighs “less than 1.5kg,” or 3.3 pounds, making it heavier than some ultrabooks. Not only is its display IPS, but it boasts 1600 x 900 resolution — an unheard of pixel count for tablets, let alone most 13-inch laptops. And when this hits, it'll pack “next-generation” (read: Ivy Bridge) Intel Core processors — albeit, of the ULV variety. Accordingly, it has a laptop price: around $1,000, when it eventually ships, sometime later this year after Windows 8 gets finalized. Fortunately, the battery life is worthy of a tablet: Lenovo says the 54Wh juicepack can last up to eight hours. It measures 17mm (0.67) inches tall, which wouldn't be at all impressive for a typical tablet, but seems slim here, all things considered. Interestingly, Lenovo even rejiggered the power port to help minimize the thickness. Whether you call this a laptop or a tablet, the build quality is top-notch in either category. The patented hinge is rated for 25,000 cycles, and the back cover has a soft, tactile finish. The keyboard, too, feels sturdy, in the style of the IdeaPad U300s. The real start of the show, though, is that IPS display, which offers vibrant colors, crisp detail and wide viewing angles. But even at this early stage, the screen seems responsive. Not just to rote taps and swipes, but 10-fingered input, which at the very least should come in handy for drawing apps. HD videos run fluidly at full-screen too. Of course, the timing of this all depends on how quickly Microsoft can get Windows 8 out the door.

Nvidia Touts 7-Inch Asus Tablet Packing Android 4, Quad-Core CPU — For $249

Photo: Nvidia LAS VEGAS — Touting the benefits of an increasingly fractured tablet marketplace, Nvidia cofounder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang unveiled a new Asus 7-inch tablet that runs on the company's next-generation Tegra 3 chipset and costs $249, half as much as an entry-level Apple iPad. “One size doesn't fit all,” Huang said to a crowd of attendees at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show on Monday. “Different strokes for different folks.” It's an incredibly ambitious, space-disrupting tablet launch on Asus' behalf. Not only does the new 7-incher come within $50 of the similarly sized Kindle Fire, it also packs the two features that hardcore tablet nerds are anticipating most: quad-core processor power, and Google's latest, greatest mobile operating system in Ice Cream Sandwich. Likening the tablet PC industry to the automobile industry — some drivers prefer a Toyota Corolla while others opt for a minivan or Lamborghini — Huang not only talked up the raw computing power of Tegra 3 but showed it off in several ways, including an extended sequence involving the remote-computing Splashtop app on Android's Ice Cream Sandwich platform. At one point, Huang even brought on stage the acclaimed gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel (a longtime Nvidia supporter) to play a brief sequence of Skyrim that ran remotely from a nearby PC. Despite all the ancillary sideshows — including an extended demonstration from Manuel Wille, the creator of the popular photo-editing app Snapseed — the focus was consistently on Tegra 3, which Nvidia is hoping will separate those optimized laptops and tablets from its rivals. To that end, the company is leaning on its Nvidia Tegra Zone, where Android users can single out games and apps that are designed to utilize the power and capabilities of the Tegra architecture, to stand out from the pack. Huang was eager to point out that while Nvidia essentially considers Tegra 3 as another member of the quad-core processing class, the chipset actually contains a fifth “ninja core” that increases the Tegra 3's ultimate potential. One of those applications, he said, will be linked to Nvidia's forthcoming Direct Touch tech, which increases tactility and response on touch screens by three times, making Tegra 3-enabled devices “much more responsive and buttery smooth.” And while Huang extolled the continued promise of Ice Cream Sandwich for much of the presentation — especially how it will “turn all of the Android devices into one single platform” — he took time to preview how Tegra 3 will impact new Windows 8-enabled devices down the line, with the assistance of Microsoft's Aidan Marcuss. Huang addressed how consumers felt frustrated by the release in recent years of substandard netbooks that promised full computing functionality in a smaller package. The buying public, Huang contended, wasn't ready to be burned again: “How do we prevent a repeat of the netbook experience?” While there was no immediate answer to that, with any stable release of Windows 8 still months away, Huang maintained that his company, a longtime player in high-end processors, was as well positioned as any in the marketplace, no matter how the hardware manufacturers maneuvered to gain a foothold. Beyond personal electronics and computers, Huang also hinted at Tegra 3-related partnerships with automakers like Audi that will be announced in the coming weeks and months. Cars, he said, have now evolved into “the latest consumer device.”

Lenovo's IdeaTab S2 10-inch tablet is Lenovo's answer to Asus's Transformer Prime, packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon

This wouldn't be the first time for Lenovo to release a tablet-plus-keyboard combo, though the illusive IdeaPad U1 Hybrid was merely adding Windows to the updated LePad via the keyboard dock. That said, Lenovo's freshly-announced IdeaTab S2 10″ is a full package dedicated to Android 4.0, and it sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon 8x60A or 8960. Compared to the ASUS Transformer Prime and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, this 10-inch IdeaTab comes close to or even beats them with a 0.34-inch (8.69mm) thickness and a 1.27-pound (580 grams) weight — certainly much better than its Chinese counterpart, the LePad S2010. Other features include a 1,280 x 800 LED-backlit IPS display, 3G with call support, 1GB LPDDR2 RAM, SSD of up to 64GB, HDMI Micro connection and front (1.3MP) and rear (5MP with autofocus) cameras. Additionally, Lenovo mentioned that compared to the ASUS Transformer series, the S2′s “clam dock” slot hinge is designed in such a way that makes it easier to snap the tablet onto it. As for battery life, the tablet alone can keep cranking for up to 9 hours, and sliding it into the keyboard dock gets you an additional 9 hours plus two USB 2.0 ports, a multitouch trackpad and an SDHC card reader.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Wi-Fi headed to Canada

Canadian customers will be able to buy a new Android tablet “soon”: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, which measures only 7.9mm in thickness. According to Mobile Syrup, just the Wi-Fi version of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 will be available in Canada - at least for the beginning. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 will run Android 3.2 Honeycomb at launch, but an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is scheduled to arrive later this year. The new tablet features a 7.7 inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 1280 x 800 pixels, TouchWiz UX UI, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.2MP rear camera with 720p video recording, 2MP front-facing camera, 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB / 32GB of internal memory.

ViewPad 10pi strikes with Windows tablet

[CES 2012] Viewsonic intends to pave the way for a rare Windows-powered tablet in the market by using CES 2012 as the introductory platform. Running on the latest Intel Oak Trail Z670 processor that is tablet-centric and Windows 7 Professional as the operating system of choice, the ViewPad 10pi is certainly something worth looking into if you are not going to settle for an iPad or an Android-powered tablet. Tipping the scales at a mere 1.77lbs, the ViewPad 10i will come with a super high resolution IPS display at 1280 x 800 pixels, accompanied by 64GB Of storage space, dual cameras, pre-loaded apps and custom software. Leveraging the power of the Cloud, the ViewPad 10pi will also support Remote Desktop Connection to other computers of yours – be they at home or at work. This enables you to access your files, programs and networks anytime, anywhere, from the comfort of the ViewPad 10pi – just make sure there is a decent connection beforehand, otherwise you might end up rather frustration. Other hardware specifications include 2GB RAM, a 64GB SSD for storage purposes, an SD memory card slot, WiFi connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera at the back with a 1.3-megapixel shooter up front for video call purposes, and a couple of USB 2.0 ports. The battery life does seem disappointing though, rated officially at 4 hours, and I am quite sure if you leave a movie running, it will be far shorter than that. Being dual OS ready, you can still opt to make the jump to the Android platform if you feel like it, although you will have to make do with Android 2.3 Gingerbread as there does not seem to be an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in the works anytime soon.

New Asus Transformer Prime TF700T and Eee Pad Memo Android ICS tablets announced

Just like Acer, Lenovo or Toshiba, Asus has also announced new Android tablets at CES 2012. These are the Eee Pad MeMo, and an upgraded Transfomer Prime, called Transformer Prime TF700T. The new Prime TF700T looks like the original model, but its 10.1 inch display now has 1920 x 1200 pixels instead of 1280 x 800. Moreover, the front-facing camera is a 2MP one, and the tablet's backplate has been remade in order to increase wireless connectivity. The rest of the features have remained unchanged. The Acer Transformer Prime TF700T will be launched in North America in the second quarter of the year for prices starting at $599. It will run Android Ice Cream Sandwich. And, by the way, the original Transformer Prime seems to be getting an update to ICS starting today. The second new Asus tablet, the Eee Pad Memo, comes with a 7 inch (1280 x 800) display, capacitive stylus, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, 5MP rear camera, 1.2MP front-facing camera, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB / 32GB of internal memory. For the moment, it's not clear what the final design of the Eee Pad Memo will be. The tablet is supposed to arrive in North America in the second quarter, also running Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

Orange Tahiti with Android Honeycomb introduced in the UK

2012 is the year of Ice Cream Sandwich tablets, but that didn't stop Orange UK to announce a tablet that runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Called Orange Tahiti, the tablet is a rebranded Huawei MediaPad - which is sold in the US as the T-Mobile Springboard. The Tahiti comes with a 7 inch display (1280 x 800 pixels), 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and a 5MP rear camera. According to Orange, the new tablet will be available starting this week "for £69.99 on a £25 per month, 24 month data plan", or for "free on a Connected 24 month plan bundled with the San Francisco II mobile phone from only £41 per month." You can check out the Tahiti here at Orange UK. Since Huawei seems to plan an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the MediaPad, maybe Orange's Tahiti will get to taste ICS, too. But the carrier didn't say anything about this for now.

ViewSonic ViewPad e70 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet launched

[CES 2012] We've been seeing a strong growth of budget Android tablets in recent months, and at CES 2012 it was no exception. ViewSonic introduced a brand new budget tablet running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Called the ViewPad e70, it will feature a 7″ (800 x 480) capacitive touchscreen display, a 1GHz single core processor, and the latest version of Android. Other features include a microSD card slot, microHDMI port, 4GB of internal storage, and it will ship with the Amazon Appstore and Amazon Kindle app instead of the usual Google offerings. The tablet is expected to go on sale for $169 sometime within the next few months.

Toshiba claiming “World's Thinnest” with tablet and ultrabook

A Japanese press release distributed by Toshiba (translation) reveals that the company plans to showcase the “world's thinnest and lightest” 10.1-inch tablet and 13.3-inch ultrabook next week during CES 2012. According to reports, Toshiba's 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet will only measure 7.7-mm thick and feature a 1280 x 800 resolution. Other hardware specs will include a 1.2 GHz dual-core TI OMAP4430 SoC, a rear-facing 5MP camera, a front-facing 2MP camera, micro-HDMI output, and storage capacities of 16 and 32 GB. Additional reports claim that Toshiba will also showcase an unnamed 7-inch tablet that will be completely different than the current Thrive model. It will reportedly feature Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a rear camera, microSD and microUSB ports. This one will likely take on Amazon's Kindle Fire, a “budget” tablet packing a dual-core Qualcomm SoC. In fact, this gadget will probably be one of MANY sub-$200 tablets we'll see at CES this year. As for the 13.3-inch Toshiba ultrabook, there's speculation that the company could be referring to the Portege Z855. However in addition to the tablet and ultrabook, Toshiba reports that it will also showcase an 7-inch OLED reference tablet with wireless power charging and a water-resistant construction, and a 55-inch QFHD glasses-free 3D HDTV.

ASUS Eee Pad Memo ME171 Officially Announced, coming to US in Q2

The folks at ASUS are enjoying the sale of their Transformer Prime tablet but they are quick to remind us that they have other wares that will soon be up for grabs. They today announced the Eee Pad Memo ME171,  a 7 Inch Android tablet that, like the Galaxy Note, prides itself on being a digital notebook of sorts. We’re getting a 1.2GHz dual-core processor inside so it won’t be quite as current as its bigger brother. It’ll be graced with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, as expected. A 5 megapixel camera that can shoot 1080p HD video can be found on the rear of the device with a 1.2 megapixel camera on the front of it. Battery life should be ideal with its 4,400 mAh battery inside and you’ll be able to find the model in 16GB and 32GB models once it gallops out of the starting gate in the United States sometime in the second quarter of this year. For the size it looks like you won’t be able to go wrong, though without pricing and without an extensive look at the device it’ll be hard to tell if it’ll be desired like the Prime was and is.

Toshiba Excite X10 (AT200) announced for the US, prices start at $529

Toshiba has unveiled that its AT200 Android tablet would be released in the US under the name of Toshiba Excite X10. The Excite X10 should hit the US market later this quarter. Apparently, it's going to be launched with Android 3.2 Honeycomb on board, but an update to Ice Cream Sandwich will be available later on. There will be two versions of the Excite X10: 16GB (priced at $529.99), and 32GB ($599.99). The Excite X10 / AT200 is the world's thinnest tablet, measuring only 7.7mm. It features a 10 inch Gorilla Glass display with 1280 x 800 pixels, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, micro HDMI, MicroSD card slot, 5MP rear camera, and a 2MP front facing camera. The tablet will be released in Canada, too, reportedly starting February.

Lenovo announces IdeaTab S2 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet to take on Asus Transformer Prime

Lenovo has officially introduced a new Android tablet at CES 2012: the IdeaTab S2. The S2 is Lenovo's first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tablet, and comes with a "light keyboard dock" that "can deliver an incredible 20 hours of battery life, which is great for both entertainment and productivity" - so it can be seen as a direct competitor to Asus' Transformer Prime. However, unlike the Transformer Prime, Lenovo's IdeaTab S2 doesn't have a quad-core processor, but a dual-core one (although we've heard the company may have a quad-core tablet, too). Other features: 10 inch display, Lenovo Mondrian UI, rear and front-facing cameras. The IdeaTab S2 is "available immediately in China", and should be released in other markets "at a later date." Lenovo has also brought the previously-announced Smartphone S2 at CES 2012 (it still runs Android Gingerbread, and there's no word if it's going to get Android 4.0 ICS). More interestingly, the company has announced the K91 smart TV, which, like the IdeaPad S2, uses Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (being the world's first TV to do so) and has a dual-core processor.

Lenovo introduces new tablets, first Android 4.0 smart TV

Ahead of the company's Consumer Electronics Show keynote, Lenovo announced a flurry of Android-based devices on Sunday evening. First up is the new S2 smartphone, and while it doesn't feature a much anticipated quad-core chipset, the specs are more than suitable. The S2 sports a 1.4GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with a VGA front-facing camera and 8-megapixel rear shooter. The device will run Android 2.3 on a 3.8-inch display with Lenovo's custom skin on top. The company also announced a new Android 4.0 tablet, the IdeaTab S2, featuring a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM and a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 IPS display. The IdeaTab will be released with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and have a docking ability similar to what ASUS has done with the company's Transformer tablets. When connecting the tablet to the keyboard dock, the IdeaTab gains 9 hours of battery life for a total of 18 hours, access to two USB 2.0 ports, a multitouch trackpad and an SDHC card reader. Lastly, the company announced the 55-inch 3D K91, the world's first smart TV running Android 4.0. The K91 features a dual-core Snapdragon processor, HDMI, Wi-Fi, an SD card slot, and a 5-megapixel front facing camera. The K91 is not considered a Google TV device, however, but it has access to the Android Market and Lenovo Store for thousands of apps. The IdeaTab S2 tablet, S2 smartphone and K91 smart TV are currently available in China, with worldwide availability coming at a later date. Lenovo's press release can be found after the break. Four Screens Are Better than One with Lenovo's New "Personal Cloud" Vision Latest Product Development Links Gadgets in Pockets, Briefcases and Home CES 2012, Las Vegas - January 8, 2012: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY), the world's number two PC company, is flexing its innovation muscle at this year's Consumer Electronics Show and beyond, to create a seamless digital experience for its customers across multiple devices, be it PCs, tablets, smartphones or Smart TVs. Lenovo recently unveiled its "Personal Cloud" vision, marking the transformation of the company from a "personal computer" manufacturer to a "personal cloud solution" provider that integrates hardware, software and cloud computing together. The Company's direction is evident in a variety of new products, including the IdeaTab S2, Smartphone S2 and K91 smart TV. "Lenovo is breaking down the barriers of device differentiation and weaving together hardware, software and cloud services that are connected, experiential and dynamic," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Mobile Internet and Digital Home business group. "We understand our users need more than just the traditional keyboard and screen for a truly satisfying digital experience. Our Personal Cloud vision integrates all devices, from tablets to TVs, for a comprehensive mobile Internet experience anytime, anywhere.” IdeaTab S2 10 Struts New Specs and Multimedia Prowess Thinner than its predecessors, the IdeaTab S2 10-inch is just one-third of an inch thin and, at a feather-light 1.1lbs, is one of the lightest 10-inch tablets available today. IdeaTab S2 features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8960 dual core CPU and Android 4.0 operating systems to offer a better multimedia experience. Running Lenovo Mondrian UI, the user-friendly IdeaTab S2 10" displays customized content and includes easy access to the Lenovo App Shop and the Android Market for thousands of useful apps, such as Amazon Kindle, ooVoo, Angry bird and mSpot. Its detachable design, combined with a light keyboard dock, can deliver an incredible 20 hours of battery life, which is great for both entertainment and productivity. S2 Smartphone Boasts Security and Photography Creds The S2 smartphone includes the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon technology and Android 2.3 operating system. The device includes a unique Kernel-level security system to protect personal data, prevent phishing, and control network and SMS traffic. Users can also take advantage of its 8MP super camera to capture amazing panoramic photos on the go. S2 is also ready for the Cloud, and instantly syncs photos, music, videos and personal information with a dedicated online storage space for easy sharing across multiple devices. K91 - the World's First Smart TV to Run Android 4.0 OS As the world's first smart TV powered by QualComm's 8060 Snapdragon dual core CPU, the K91 is also the world's first smart TV running the Android 4.0 operating system – which will revolutionize technology in the living room. Its smart "Sandwich" UI unites three major smart TV functions, including Video On Demand (VOD), Internet applications and traditional TV programs. The online HD VOD is tailored to an individual consumer's viewing history, and delivers the best picture and audio quality with 3D FPR technology delivering flicker-free video on a full HD IPS panel at 240hz with SRS TruSurround. Internet applications include thousands of choices from the Android Market and Lenovo Store, including console games. Additional smart TV features include voice control with natural language processing and speech recognition technology, allowing viewers to use voice commands to control the remote. Video interaction is even possible with the built-in 5MP webcam, which integrates face recognition technology for security benefits and advanced parental control. With cloud support, consumers can access their favorite songs and videos with ease, share files between the TV and their tablet, smartphone or PC, and even control the TV via tablet and smartphone. The IdeaTab S2 tablet, S2 smartphone and K91 smart TV are available immediately in China. Lenovo will be releasing these products worldwide at a later date. More information on these products is available at www.lenovo.com

Quad-core Acer Iconia Tab A700 with Android ICS showcased at CES 2012

As expected, Acer has brought its newest Android tablet to CES 2012: the Iconia Tab A700, which was first spotted at the end of December. The Iconia Tab A700 runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and comes with some of Acer's own software customization, including Acer Ring and some widgets. Measuring 9.8mm in thinness, the new A700 features a 10.1 inch display with 1920 x 1200 pixels, 1.3GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, Bluetooth, 3.5mm headset jack, HDMI, 5MP rear camera, front-facing camera, and MicroSD card support. Acer plans to launch the Iconia Tab A700 in the second quarter of the year. The tablet's price is not known at the moment, but I assume it will be on par with the price of Asus' Transformer Prime ($500 – $600).

OLPC Tablet Finally Arrives

It might be fat and chinky, but it sips power and won't break when you drop it After years and years of just-around-the-corner promises, the XO-3 — aka OLPC tablet aka One Laptop Per Child tablet — is finally (almost) here. The computer is now called the XO 3.0, and will cost $100 instead of the planned $75. And in the time since we saw the ultra-skinny concept, the tablet has put on a little weight. The tablet uses a Marvell Armada PXA618 processor, has 512MB RAM and will run either Android or Sugar, OLPC's kid-friendly Linux. But the most interesting parts are the screen and case. The 8-inch 1024 x 768 3Qi display comes from Pixel Qi. Indoors, it looks like any other tablet screen. Outside, you can use it as a reflective e-ink type display, and the resolution jumps accordingly. Not only does this let you use it in sunlight, it also means you can turn the screen down in bright light — not up — saving power. And power is the other cool part of the XO 3.0. Like the original, there's a hand-crank option for charging (this time it's an optional extra). And now, the peel-off rubberized lid can be had in two flavors: regular and solar. You might fancy some of these features for your iPad — especially the solar panel and the e-ink display. But unless you're a country, you won't be getting yourself one of these. They're being sold in bulk into education systems, not one-by-one down at your local Best Buy. Then again, the OLPC folks might decide on a give-one-get-one style scheme like they did with the original. The XO 3.0 will be on show at CES this week, and should be in full production this year. OLPC XO 3.0 tablet to show at CES with Android, Sugar [Electronista]

1.4 million people have ‘pre-ordered' India's Aakash tablet

The launch of India's ultra-cheap 60 dollar Aakash tablet is nearly upon us, and if pre-orders registrations are any indication, it's going to sell like crazy. The Times of India is reporting that 1.4 million pre-order ‘bookings' have occurred in the two weeks since the device was offered at a small discount of approximately $50. Based on this apparent strong demand, UK-based Aakash manufacturer Datawind have announced intent to open 3 new factories in India -in the cities of Cochin, Noida and Hyderabad – to meet it. “We never expected such a high response from both corporate and individual buyers.” said Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli. “We plan to supply 70,000-75,000 units per day once the factories are in place by April.” That's an amazing commitment, and for the people those factories will employ, a virtual godsend. However, the demand is at this time purely theoretical. “We are not accepting cash for bookings currently, as we want to sort out supply issues”, Tuli said. As a result, these pre-orders are not currency transactions, just ‘bookings”, essentially consumers claiming a place in line to ensure they won't get sniped when it launches. So no money has exchanged hands, the company is still trying to sort out supply issues, and the Aakash is still months away from launch. As impressive as these pre-orders numbers are, the real test will come when it's time for the consumer to actually part with their money, assuming that Datawind manages to successfully meet current production quotas. It is therefore probably wise to hold off on celebrating the factory ground breaking for the time being. With a 7-inch 800×480 pixel display, 256 MB of RAM, 2 GB of NAND flash storage and a 366 MHz Connexant processor the dirt cheap Aakash tablet is incredibly underpowered by the standards of the developed world, and would likely never sell in the developed world. But for a nation beset by immense poverty and in dire need of expanded educational opportunities and access to the Internet for its 1 billion citizens, it's a much-needed affordable bit of tech that, if successfully delivered, will change lives.

Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xyboard tablets now up for pre-order, shipping this month

Motorola's new Droid Xyboard tablets for Verizon (known elsewhere as the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition) went on sale a month ago. Obviously though, the carrier isn't selling Wi-Fi-only versions of the tablets. That's up to Motorola itself. And today the company has started taking pre-orders for Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 tablets at its own website. The prices being asked are $399 for the 16 GB Xyboard 8.2, $499.99 for the 32 GB Xyboard 8.2, $499.99 for the 16 GB Xyboard 10.1, and $599.99 for the 32 GB Xyboard 10.1. That's on par with Apple's iPad 2 pricing, which isn't really that good for Motorola and its tablet sales.

USB 3.0 coming to smartphones and tablets by the end of 2012

On Sunday, the USB standards setting organization announced that USB 3.0 ports will be coming to smartphones and tablets by the end of the year. Mobile devices will feature a microUSB port based on USB 3.0 technology to fit the small size of the devices, said chief technology officer of the USB Implementers Forum Rahman Ismail. Currently smartphones and tablets use the older and slower USB 2.0 technology, but upgraded devices will sport data transfer rates as fast as 800Mbps. “What takes 15 minutes will roughly take 1 minute and 10 seconds,” said Ismail. USB 3.0 mobile transfer speeds will be considerably slower than their PC counterparts, though, which can reach up to 5Gbps. However, smartphones and tablet will feature faster charging due to faster power flow through USB 3.0 ports. On the flip side, Intel has also announced that the company intends to integrate its rivaling Thunderbolt technology into mobile devices. Luckily for us, PCs that have been recently introduced have featured both Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports, showing that both technologies can coexist.

ASUS Eee Pad Memo 7-inch Available in Q2 (USA)

[CES 2012] There were rumors that the Asus Eee Pad Memo 7-inch, aka Asus Memo 7", would be available in America as early as January, but Asus just confirmed that April to June (second quarter, or “Q2″) would be the official availability time frame. Unfortunately, the price has yet to be determined. The device itself isn't new and it has been announced last year here at CES and shown at Computex in Taiwan last summer. The good news is that when it will come out, it will feature Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) instead of Honeycomb (Android 3.x). If you missed it, the Asus Memo 7 has a 7" IPS LCD display (1280×720), a dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of storage. I have added the official specs in the full post. ASUS Eee Pad MeMOME370T Display –              7.0" WXGA,  1280 x 800 resolution,  IPS panel with capacitive touch Processor-          Qualcomm 8260 1.2GHz dual-core Memory-             1GB Storage-               eMMC  16GB/32GB ; ASUS Webstorageoptions Connectivity-    WLAN 802.11b/g/n , Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR Camera-               1.2MP Video Camera  (front )/5MP  Auto-Focus Camera (rear) (1080P recording) aGPS-                    Qualcomm GPS One Sensors-              G-sensor; e-compass; Light sensor; Gyroscope, Proximity sensor Interface-            1 x Micro USB port (client) ; 1 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Stereo Mic-in), 1 x Card Reader(Micro-SD); 1 x micro HDMI (1.3a); 1 x SIM Card slot; Stereo Speakers Battery-               Li-polymer 4400mAh (Battery Life:  8.5hrs video playback routine) OS-                         Android 4.01 Dimensions / Weight-   7.8 x 4.6 x 0.50"; 14.2oz Applications - MyPainter, MyNet, MyCloud, Asus Sync and other productivity and entertainment applications.

Toshiba Excite X10 Tablet Unveiled

Toshiba provides a sneek peak of its latest tablet venture during the CES. The Excite X10 is touted as the world's thinnest 10-inch tablet, with only 0.3 inch in thickness and only 1.2 pounds in weight. It comes with Corning Gorilla glass on the front and brushed magnesium alloy at the back. Underneath the tablet reveals a TI OMAP 4420 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10-inch screen with 1,280 x 800 resolution, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, a 5-megapixel shooter at the back, micro USB, mini HDMI out, microSD card slot. As for the OS, the Toshiba Excite X10 will be shipped with Android 3.2 Honeycomb during mid-Q1, but later batches will arrive with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Obviously, it is much more advisable to wait a bit longer for the Ice Cream Sandwich version. The tablet also comes with its a native media player with DLNA compatibility, Toshiba File Manager, Netflix, and QuickOffice. It also has an app that enables users to screen grab, something that other Android devices lack. Pricing remains unclear, but expect it to go premium. We just do not know whether it could compete with iPad 3, which is just around the corner.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 with 4G LTE announced for Verizon

Samsung has just announced the Verizon-bound 4G LTE-supporting version of the Galaxy Tab 7.7. This Android-powered tablet was first unveiled in September in its international variant, and back then it was said that it would never make it to the US. Well, here we are four months later, and that has thankfully changed. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the first tablet to sport a Super AMOLED display. What's more, it's HD too, having a resolution of 1280×800. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 also has a dual-core 1.4 GHz processor, a 3 MP rear camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recording, a front-facing 2 MP camera for video calls, Wi-Fi, and 16 GB of built-in storage expandable via microSD cards. It runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb with Samsung's TouchWiz UI on top. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will become available at Verizon retail locations and online “in the coming weeks”. Unfortunately there's nothing more specific than that just yet, and we also didn't get any pricing information. But we'll let you know when we do.

Verizon Galaxy Tab 7.7 with 4G LTE support hands-on

Samsung on Monday announced a new version of its Galaxy Tab 7.7 tablet for Verizon Wireless from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Verizon added 4G LTE support, but unfortunately we were deep in the confines of a Las Vegas hotel so we couldn't get a real taste for the faster data speeds. We love the Super AMOLED Plus display, the surprisingly thin form factor and the compact 7.7-inch screen. The unit also feels very solid and we didn't get the usual plastic feeling from some Samsung devices. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 runs Android Honeycomb and not the newer Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, but hopefully an update is made available soon. Neither Verizon Wireless nor Samsung announced a release date or pricing, but we expect it should be available in the coming months. Check out our full hands on gallery with the Galaxy Tab 7.7 for Verizon.

Leader International unveils cheap Android 4.0 tablets

Budget tablet maker Leader International will launch two new Android 4.0 tablets to market during the first quarter of the year. The Impression 10A tablet has a 9.7 inch, 1024 x 768 pixel display and NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor and a price tag of $299, while the Impression 7A has a 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display and a 1 GHz processor. It will sell for $179.

Both tablets will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Adobe Flash Player 10.3. They also both have capacitive touchscreen displays.

It wasn’t that long ago that you wouldn’t find most of those features in a tablet that cost less than $400. But Google has released the source code for Android 4.0 which allows tablet and phone makers to put the operating system on all sorts of devices. NVIDIA is also moving forward with its next-generation Tegra 3 quad-core processor, so I suspect Tegra 2 chips might be getting cheaper for device builders.

It’s an interesting time in the tablet space, and I suspect we’ll continue to see high-end premium products hit the market. But I think the performance/feature gap between high-end and low-end tablets will get smaller as well.

When the iPad and Android tablets started hitting the streets, a lot of people wanted to compare them to netbooks. After all, they were both affordable portable devices that you could use to surf the web or perform other tasks on the go. But today’s tablets are really a whole new class of device that’s difficult to compare with anything that came before (yes, there were PC tablets before, but they were expensive, powerful, and typically got lousy battery life).

Netbooks, on the other hand, were basically notebooks. They were just cheaper, smaller, and lighter than most of the notebooks that had come before. That’s largely because the first netbooks used older technology that could be picked up at low prices and slapped together to make an inexpensive computer.
In 2012 we’re starting to see the same trend in tablets. By slapping together some slightly older parts and throwing on some open source software, smaller companies like Leader International are releasing tablets that look a lot like last year’s top-of-the-line products from big-name computer companies… but for much lower prices.

On the other hand, I haven’t had a chance to actually play with the new Impression 10A and Impression 7A tablets yet, so I can’t make any promises about their build quality or performance. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to check them out in person at CES next week.

Toshiba to unveil affordable 7-inch tablet and world's thinnest 10-inch tablet at CES

Toshiba's tablets never took off like the company wanted, but according to Notebook Italia, Toshiba will soon launch an entry-level 7-inch Android tablet that will debut at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. The black and blue slate features a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 1024 x 600-pixel display, a rear camera, a microUSB port and a microSD slot. A leaked image also reveals three capacitive buttons, leading us to believe it will not be running Android 3.2 Honeycomb or Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. With the recent success of the Kindle Fire, numerous low-priced tablets are slated to appear at this CES and Toshiba's new 7-inch model will be among them. Additionally, according to Toshiba's Japanese website, the company will be showcasing the “world's thinnest and lightest 10.1-inch tablet” at CES next week. Toshiba introduced the AT200 tablet last fall, which measured at just 7.7mm thick, however the company never announced a release date. Read Read

Motorola Xyboard WiFi-only up for pre-order

While 4G LTE connectivity is nice to have, not everybody needs it and wants to pay premium just to have it on their phones/tablets. Well for those of you who feel that way and are looking to get your hands on Motorola's latest tablet, the Xyboard - we've got some good news. The WiFi-only version of the tablet has gone up for pre-order on Motorola's website. The tablets all feature the same specs as the previously released Verizon DROID Xyboard tablets minus the LTE radios. The Xyboard 8.2 will be priced at $399.99 for 16GB and $499.99 for 32GB. The Xyboard 10.1 will cost $499.99 for the 16GB while the 32GB version will be $599.99 - that's about $200 less than what you would have to pay for 4G. Thinking of picking one up? Be sure to read our review about the Xyboard 8.2 and Xyboard 10.1 first, and then head over to Motorola's website to pre-order the tablet.

ASUS tablet roadmap 2012 revealed

Interested in knowing what ASUS is up to for the rest of the year when it comes to the subject of tablets? You're in luck because at a press event in Taipei today, Samson Hu, the Vice President and General Manager of the Eee Systems Business Unit revealed the company's tablet roadmap for 2012. According to Hu, we'll be seeing an ARM tablet running Windows 8 by the end of the year. The Transformer Prime will also be getting a 3G version sometime this March and it will pack a more powerful GPS module. At CES, ASUS will be unveiling a 7″ tablet (rumored to be the ASUS Memo) and a 10″ with a high resolution display (could be a completely new tablet or the upgraded Transformer Prime with 3G and better GPS). There are also two more 10″ tablets slated for the second half of 2012. ASUS also expects to sell around 6 million tablets this year and will be beefing up its Android tablet division from 300 to 400 employees while its Windows 8 tablet division will have 150 employees. Stay tuned for more information next week.

Unbrick your Kindle Fire

Now this is going to be a wee bit technical, and those who do not have the intestinal fortitude might want to give it a pass. For folks who have decided to root their Kindle Fire, by installing the FireFireFire bootloader and TWRP custom recovery, having to throw in custom software like CyanogenMod 7 or Android 4.0 after that is a snap. The main beef that beginners have is this – installing TWRP and FireFireFire might prove to be too high a height to scale, and your problems are exarcebated when you are running on a Windows-powered computer. In fact, many a brave warrior have already bricked their Kindle Fire after attempting this route, but there is hope just yet in unbricking your Kindle Fire. Most of the time, the Windows drivers for the Kindle Fire are the culprit here, as they were not properly installed in fastboot mode, so good thing a fix is available, although it might require some trial and error to get the job done. The Kindle Fire Unbrick Utility is a Windows app that will make attempts to help you recover from common issues such as having your Kindle get stuck at the FireFireFire boot logo, or when you boot into TWRP but are unable to end up with Android after you reboot. Just download the Kindle Fire Utility before you get started, double-click the KindleUnbrick.bat file after that and follow the on-screen instructions. Any luck with that?