Acer said to be launching 7-, 10-inch Android tablets before the end of the year
By Donald Melanson 
posted July 14th 2010 3:09PM
posted July 14th 2010 3:09PM
Acer's already offered some indication that it planned to launch at least one Android-based tablet before the end of the year, and it looks like we're starting to get few more tidbits of information. According to DigiTimes (reasonably reliable when it comes to Acer rumors), the company is planning to launch both 7-inch and 10-inch tablets sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, both of which will reportedly be ARM-based and run Android 2.2 (complete with Flash support_. Details are otherwise still pretty light, but DigiTimes is backing up earlier talk that Acer's looking to partner with mobile carriers on the devices, which we presume means they'll both at least have a 3G option.
Why
@pufflye
why not?
@pufflye
its called licensing the OS. MS did it and made boat load of money. Wow so many choices.
@Darkroom
god no, I don't see why companies just don't wait for android gingerbread or windows phone 7
@pufflye Because they're not here yet. You have to develop products in advance.
@pufflye After Gingerbread is released, will you argue "Well, why don't they wait for Android Chocolate Chip? (Or whatever the name will be)"?
If companies spent their time waiting, no products would be released.
@pufflye
Agreed... somewhat. Seeing Android-based tablets coming on the market is a good thing. But once they are out what are you going to do with it??
Google needs to start really getting the ball rolling on some productivity applications as well as some games. Maybe beef up their google docs.
Right now there is nothing to get me to buy an Android tablet if I already own an Android phone.
@pufflye
Yeah, like you would know something about freedom of choice, iSheep.
Steve Ballmer Kirf.
@Tommy Five It won't be chocolate chip, it is all desserts going in alphabetical order. Maybe honey bun?
@Seven2k But ... but it will only be a big Evo 4G. Oh sorry.... I forgot that logic only applies to iPads. Carry on.
Not that I'm a fan of the iPad but obviously a lot of people wanted this form factor. And I think it speaks volumes that none of the other OEM's had this in mind.
@metafor What form factor? It's a rectangle with a huge screen. Convertibles have had that for years.
I think what you meant to say is "fit and finish". Now that is something that the OEM's struggled with.
@metafor
I was just thinking the exact same thing before I read your comment! It's like everyone else was caught with their pants down... and now they will be 8 months late to the party.
I know Apple did NOT invent this form factor... they only popularized it and brought it into the mainstream. But I doubt there would be an Android Tablet like this if it hadn't been for the iPad.
I'm no fan of the iPad either, nor do I want or need one... but I can recognize what's a hit and what's a miss.
If the "smartphoneOS tablet" was such a silly idea... then why are all these other companies readying their "iPad Killers" ?
@N900 Well, yes and no. I say form factor meaning both the device and the UI. Laying windows on top of a touchscreen was pretty horrible and still is today.
But that's what I'm referring to. It required work and investment to make something like that and the party line among most OEM's is always "let's stick with what works".
I think the iPad is far from perfect but at least it brought the use model that I think was in high demand and completely ignored by most OEM's.
@Michael Scrip You are aware that these Acer tablets will not be the first, you can buy Android tablets right now.
Personally I love reading books on my phone it's so much lighter than a book and I don't see the attraction of a big slab of metal.
Hopefully these new Android tablets will be nice and light with Carbon or high quality plastics.
@metafor
I will disagree with you about many people wanting this form factor. Yes there were a few that was patiently waiting for Apple to bring out a tablet (including me), but the vast majority didn't have a clue they wanted one until they use it (or saw Apple advertising its uses). Just look at the reaction of someone using one for the first time.
The whole industry was afraid to tackle this segment outside of the niche market seeing how it failed so badly in the past (mainly MS fault for insisting full Windows was the answer). So they all were watching how well the iPad will do which I guess the reason it's taking so long for them to answer.
@dave95 That I agree with. You gotta give Apple the kudos for being the ones that said "This can work if we do it like X instead of Y". Convertible laptops are good products for the productivity market, but it's not a good market to fall back on when you're gunning for success.
@metafor
Didn't you get the memo that only losers like iPad? What is an iPad?.... Only a big iPhone. What is an Android Tablet ... a big Evo?... nah it is the best thing since sliced bread.
Signed.
The Super Awesome Android Guy
@fourthletter metal or plastic.. hmmm
@Michael Scrip
"I know Apple did NOT invent this form factor... they only popularized it and brought it into the mainstream"
Isn't that what they always do? They're a company specialising in marketing of consumer grade products.
If they are going to start doing this. All of them better have hdmi input so I can plug them into a computer for an extra monitor or sweet touchpad. Otherwise. Count me out.
@cknorow
The $10 Air Display app for iPad can do this already, so I'm sure someone could easily write such an app for Android tablets. It's over WiFi rather than HDMI, but its usable.
@cknorow: If it will let me ignore rules of grammar. Putting periods between dependent clauses. Count me in. Otherwise. Count me out.
7in will be perfect for me. Flash? well, we'll have to see what it does to the battery.
@Ricksta
Dude a dildo with flash wtf? Or actually it does make sense....
Sorry Acer, dell streak 7 / 10 or Samsung Tab (with hummingbird) for me.
If there is ever a place for a virtual keyboard it is on a tablet. I just want to rip that hard keyboard off the bottom of that thing.
Looks like we can start expecting some decent android tablets though!
@devoinregress That is an Acer ebook reader (A La Kindle) not the tablet(s) the article is talking about.
But none of these Android tablets can access the regular app market for Android phones right? Are they getting many (or any?) 3rd party apps? I'm not a fan of the iPad but at this point these Android ones seem even more useless then that. I wait for a webOS tablet before I consider considering a tablet purchase.
@Cringer
There are third party markets available, and you are almost always capable of side loading apps.
@Dafrety -- "There are third party markets available, and you are almost always capable of side loading apps."
Unless you can get the full Android Market experience on these tablets... it's not gonna do well with consumers.
People might have an Android phone already, so they might be used to the Android Market. But if the app store for a tablet is different... or you have to jump through hoops to install apps on an Android tablet... that's not a good thing.
Even with all its crazy restrictions and limitations... the Apple App Store does make it easy to install apps on the iPhone and iPad.
People say apps are the next big thing in mobile devices... the app store experience is becoming more and more important these days.
@Dafrety Ok, I pretty much figured that stuff, but are there that many apps, decent apps? Engadget needs to do a story breaking that down, I would like to see a full review of Android on tablets I think. Otherwise these just kind of seem like an Android fan's alternative. I may lean away from Apple some, but I would go iPad over these at this point.
@Michael Scrip
I never said that I thought it's acceptable that the Android Marketplace wasn't available, I just said that there are always options available. On the contrary, I think it's incredibly idiotic that Google won't allow the market on anything else but phones at the moment.
@Dafrety
Yeah... I wasn't calling you out... just venting my frustrations with the Android Market myself.
I would love to see Android tablets as cheaper alternatives to the iPad. But the iPad shocked the world by coming to market so quickly... and the iPad section of the Apple App Store is already huge and growing every day.
At the end of the day... even if you can get a 10" Android tablet for $200 or even $300... people will overlook it because there aren't as many apps for it... or the "experience" isn't as nice. Android tablets will have Flash... but I've yet to see if that will be *the* thing that will push it over the edge.
The Droid series of phones are selling very well on Verizon because they have so many customers who have been waiting for a decent phone.
Since you don't have to be chained to a carrier to purchase these tablets... it's gonna be an all out war between pricing and apps. Let's hope Google can figure this out to start the competition.
@Cringer It's only really cheap ass Android devices that cannot access the market and there is absolutely no reason any of the forthcoming tablets from Acer/Samsung etc. won't be able to access the market or do you have something to backup your comment ?
@fourthletter
How do you know they will have access? Google have not come out and said they're now allowing Tablet support to the marketplace.
@fourthletter
I think this is what he's referring to:
"The Google Android operating system was initially developed for smartphones. But dozens of companies seem determined to bring Android-powered tablets to market to compete with the Apple iPad. And the touch-friendly mobile operating system actually works pretty well on tablets. But there’s one major problem: ***Google only allows phones to access the Android Market*** where you can find about 100,000 free and paid apps to download.
Google has never made it entirely clear why tablets and smartbooks don’t have full access to the Android Market. But one reason is likely because different devices have different physical properties — and apps designed for a phone (with GPS and 3G with buttons for search, home, menu, and back) might not work on a tablet or a laptop.
But it looks like Google may be preparing to open the Market to Android tablets… or to create a parallel market for tablets. I’m not really sure which way Google is going here. But Notion Ink, makers of the long-anticipated Adam tablet, say that they’ve been testing alpha App and Content stores on their products. Adobe Flash is also working without any battery issues."
http://www.liliputing.com/2010/07/google-android-tablets-to-get-android-market-access-soon.html
@Michael Scrip I think Google isn't ready just yet to have real Android tablets, which his why they don't have the Market available. I'd love to see an Android tablet, but I don't think Android is ready to be in tablets just yet. They bring nothing to the table, only just a big screen.
I'm waiting for the Android Market to grow and gaming to be more pleasant.
I have high hopes for the Motorola/Verizon tablet that is suppose to be out by Summer 2011. Hopefully thats what pushes Androids into the tablet business and hopefully by then the Market will be available and more.
@dave95 I have an Android Tablet (Moonse E-7001) and it has access to the Android Market out of the box.
...so it's obviously possible.
@Michael Scrip
Actually, I think it's Apple that makes you jump through hoops to install apps. You have to use iTunes on your Mac or PC to select your apps, then download them to the pc, then sync to your iPhone or iPad. (Mind you, I do not own an iPhone or iPad, so could be wrong about this.)
With an Android device, you find an app you like while browsing on the web; if you're on your tablet, you just select install. If you're on your pc, you point your tablet's camera (if applicable) at the little scan icon (whatever they call it), and your tablet downloads and installs it.
Now, which was easier?
I have an iPad and I think this is the future. I have no doubt that this will replace most laptops once the software matures enough. How many people use their laptop to just surf the net and read email.
@iPhone 4 That pickup truck vs. car metaphor was accurate. The instant-on lightweight devices are becoming more like cars for every day use for most people to the utilitarian pickup truck-like PCs.
@iPhone 4 ...me. Mobile Safari != full web browsing experience.
@joshualyon I get what you are saying. I was not interested in an iPad given it is as expensive as a laptop. Given a choice I would go for a "full featured" laptop. But a lucky group of us got iPads at work. I had an iPhone already so I thought I already knew what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it and I actually use it more than my laptop.
I am using the iPad in a general sense. I mean this form factor is the future!! This will replace the "netbook". Tablets will take a big chunk of the laptop market.
You have to give credit to Apple for leading the way. Microsoft has been trying to fit a full OS into a tablet with little success. Many manufacturers soon will flood the market with this form factor with OS's from Google and HP. It will be interesting if Microsoft can get back in contention with it's mobile phone OS. I expect Apple to be relegated to a small market share because others will price their products much cheaper.
We all visit this site because we love technology. Don't let perhaps an anti-Apple bias keep you from enjoying the iPad or any other product. You owe it to yourself to try it out you might be surprised what a really cool product this actually is.
Maybe this is will be one of Verizon's partners. It has been rumored countless times that Verizon is going to be releasing an Android tablet sometime this Fall . . . why not have multiple options available to consumers from multiple vendors . . . Verizon could own this segment of the market and make tablets more of a commodity, like cell phones. Its just a thought.
@gmack523
I don't want to be locked into a contract for one of these things. I already have an contract on my phone. That's why I'm liking the Samsung Galaxy tablet: It appears to double as an oversized phone. Just swap in the card from my Nexus One, and I'm good to go.
I'd rather see a Chrome OS tablet.
@Kenny Fn Powers Chrome OS is just a browser, Android has a browser + all the rest, why would you just want Chrome OS, it is aimed at cheap as shit netbooks.
@fourthletter
If you think Google doesn't have bigger plans for Chrome OS other than netbooks, your an idiot.
Sergey Brin has already talked about the convergence between Chrome and Android. Most likely, offering Android apps served over the web, natively in the browser.
I don't want two android devices to manage, download apps, etc.