Malata's SMB-A1011 is the 10-inch Android tablet we really want to happen (video)
We're seeing so, so many Android tablets dropping every day, so few of which seem to deliver on their promises, that we're getting a bit jaded about the things. But, every now and again we see another one that makes our ears perk up again and make it all feel just like the first time. Such is the Malata SMB-A1011, a 10-inch, 1024 x 600 capacitive tablet running a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and paired with Tegra 2 graphics. Though we saw a very similar model running Windows 7 at Computex, this one has up to 2GB of system memory and up to 32GB of storage, with microSD expansion and 1080p output over HDMI, along with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth wireless. It's all slathered with Android 2.1, making this a slab we'd certainly make room for in our respective man and woman purses. At this point we know nothing about pricing or availability, but we do know enough to not get our hopes up too high.























GO GO ANDROID!
@potretr This is relevent to my interests....
@potretr But for the fact that it's 2.1. Having used Froyo for the last month, I honestly wouldn't consider buying a device with anything less than 2.2 - the difference has been that good.
@RincewindWiz
we are talking Android here. When a tablet comes out with 2.2 then the latest version will be 3.0 or something and nobody will want it. I think having 2.1 on a tablet at this point is impressive.
@Waltah
looking forward to ios4 on my phone AND tablet this summer.
@potretr Do you even read the article or watch the video, or do you just see android and race to say the most meaningless comment?
@RincewindWiz I agree froyo is great on my N1. That reminds me I am off to xda to see if that dev that brought 720p vid recording baked it into froyo!
@RincewindWiz Whats the big difference in Froyo?
@slickpaki The main difference I notice is the speed. All of the complaints about a lack of smooth scrolling etc. have been put to rest with Froyo - it's as smooth as the iPhone (which I think everyone can agree is the benchmark for smooth scrolling).
Also it has better light-sensing screen brightness, which means it works outside without reaching for the brightness-boost. This is something that I haven't really seen reported anyway, but it's a good fix.
WiFi + USB tethering (without rooting) is also a winner.
Flash is nice too.
@potretr the guy in the video has barely any idea wtf he's talking about... He's just a dumb salesman as far as I can see...
@potretr You post that in every article. It's getting old.
@angermeans 720p recording was the reason I reverted back to 2.1.
@RincewindWiz
im still stuck on 1.5
Android is giving lots of free useful apps compare to Apple iPad. Go and multiply Malata!
@pixelog Those useful apps won't be that useful if people cannot even buy the device.
@pika2000
I can use all the useful Android apps on my handset. Since when is Android apps not useful?
@cdf74dc9 This is an article about android tablet, not handsets.
Full size HDMI FTW!
GODZILLA sized keyboard FTMFW!
@DefPoet
zomg. No one replied you.
@DefPoet The WIN is that someone finally put a newer version of Android than 1.6 on a tablet.
Maybe we'll actually start seeing these tablets in the store sometime this year.
@DefPoet
YEAH it's a great device. It ticks all my criteria, but I cannot help but voice my opinion that certain improvements could be made
1: Make sure the screen is non-glossy / anti-glare / outdoor friendly PLEASE!!
2: Make sure the battery has as much charge as possible (battery time) if you haven't done so
3: Make it a 720p screen for High Def content even if it is TFT-LCD
4: Keep it competitively priced
5: Add in a full USB (with host) instead of miniUSB, so many USB devices can be supported like flash drives, foot warmers etc etc
6: Place the two opposite speakers on the bezel sides so music hits you directly.
7: Polish up the design (for instance the back panel and physical buttons)
Other than those (and Froyo which prob. comes later) it's the perfect Tablet.
@DefPoet
After studying the keybaord the keys are OVER an inch wide each!
Sadly another slate lookalike and iPad wannabe, Good luck to the lagging software
@airtyper Truest comment i have ever read on engadget
@MrT You forgot the sarcasm tags.
@Airtyper It takes some amazing ignorance to bash this product.
@airtyper
It's a Tegra 2 machine, I doubt it's going to lag, especially since it's already performing well.
@airtyper
Acually, tegra has 526 MB of ram while the ipad only has 216mb . Not trollin, just saying. The spec don't matter to most people, only
the ui and the OS.
@WilliamNighthawk Crazy foo. You should know that Android is not as smooth and well designed as iPhone OS. It's just another android craptablet
@MrT I'm glad you were replaced by rampage jackson.
@WilliamNighthawk That suckas gonna pay
@MrT And you based that highly credible and facts-backed theory on what exactly ?
I'm looking for other examples of Cortex A9 + Tegra 2 + Android tablets, and preferably tablets YOU would have had the chance to test or use of course.
That's what I though.
@MrT Everyone knows they are called "crablets", but back to reality, you so stupid you wouldn't know a fool if he stole your character from you, if you were a trolling fanboy or if you were witnessing a superior device in action...assuming you even watched the video.
@Flix C Until I see it, its just vaporware. So far, only 2 tablets have been released, and only 1 succeeded.
I like the idea of an open OS such as Android, but until I see a REAL tablet, on the market, instead of just "here is ANOTHER android tablet", Ill stick with whats available...
*yawn. Wake me up when people can actually buy them. There were a lot of these since CES, yet where are they?
http://www.malata.com/en/product_detail.aspx?classid=646&id=47
Engadget You MUST review that and do a give away*
*ok maby not a give away but review YES
Dear Malata,
Please make it cheap and put regular USB ports there (at least 2).
ktnxbai
@keplenk
USB ports and thus being constantly tethered to various peripherals....doesn't that kinda sorta defeat the purpose of a tablet? Just use your netbook at that point.
@TomSawyer Who says you have a netbook? Who says your netbook can do HD video/have a tegra2? Who says it has HDMI out? This comment borders on beyond stupid or just missing what this device can do that many netbooks can't. The device doesn't always have to be tethered and it might be able to outperform many netbooks sans content creation and a few other minor points (I never create content, e.g. spreadsheets/docs on a netbook anyways).
@TomSawyer Wow, you Apple fanboys really drank Steve Jobs' kool-aid. "If there's a tablet with USB ports, that must mean you'll hook it up to a printer and keep it there forever. What an inconvenience! Man am I ever glad my product of choice doesn't let me do that."
@TomSawyer
Why would that be the case? There are more than a few things I would connect too it and like I said somewhere else the future of these things are in places you don't need a keyboard or using a laptop/netbook is cumbersome, thing sporting events.
You can use the USB Port for a TV Tuner for example.
So we're seeing a few Android tablet aiming at this year. This is good news. Plug and play device without needing a proprietary software/hardware. I like that.
Ugh. Ill pass. Ill get a windows tablet because I get android on my phone and its getting pretty stale. Plus no n wifi and tetra (while nice) wont cut it for me. Anyone else can't wait for gaming tablets?
I love this guy, he's so enthusiastic!!
If I were either gay or a female I'd be after him.
@Nickedynick
"If"?
@hey buddy
Man, you walked straight into that one :D
The guy was pretty jolly though. I think Engadget needs to get him on the payroll. Keep the gay and/or curious crowd happy.
This or Notion Ink. My head hurts from trying to decide which to get. Damn it, I might get both just to keep my options open.
@WilliamNighthawk
It all came down to prices now. Or a tablet netbook with Win7 Starter work as well. They are available now from Asus and lenovo for less than $500 smack.
@cdf74dc9 My laptop and computer run windows. I'm not the type of guy that sticks to the same thing just because it works. I haven't had the pleasure in experience a android device yet and I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
That looked way smoother than all the other Android tablets showed off in the past. go on youtube and search tegra2 android tablets, and in almost every single video the interface is just like chugga chugga chugga chugga. And it'll be nice when that ARM Cortex-A9 reaches phones :)