We can't say we've heard of Augen before, but the company certainly sparked our interest (and that of Kmart circular readers) this weekend with its $149.99 7-inch
Android tablet. Oh yes, you heard right shoppers -- the small Florida-based shop is bringing an Android 2.1 tablet with WiFi, 2GB of storage and 256MB of RAM to a store near you for just 150 buckaroos. And according to an Augen spokesperson, it will have access to the Android "Market App Store." That sounds pretty awesome for the pricetag, but we -- along with a number of readers we've heard from -- haven't been able to locate the 7-inch tablet at any Kmart retail location just yet. (Yes, we even spent a lovely ten minutes on hold with our local store while they checked the inventory.) We're told by Augen that the device should be hitting shelves later this week, though the company was unsure it would ever land on Kmart's online store. In addition to the 7-inch tablet, Augen has also released its $89 TheBook e-reader with a similar 7-inch LCD. It doesn't run Android, but you can check out an in-depth look at its Linux OS in
The eReader's video review after the break. We'll be keeping an ear to the ground on the availability of the tablet and will be trying to get one in our hands to confirm the preloaded Market, but let us know in the comments if you've had any luck yourselves.
[Thanks, Matthew]
Update: We've been hearing from a bunch of readers that many Kmarts are giving out "rainchecks" and that they will be calling customers when the Augen tablet arrives later this week.
Update 2: Yep,
Kmart's updated its blog with info on the "rainchecks."
Update 3:
Rdearth53 got his very own tablet! Check the video after the break. We're still tracking one down!
posted Jul 26th 2010 4:24PM
Froyo please?
@Cainhunpi if it can be hacked on there... good enough for me.
I want to see specs on this. For 150 bucks I don't have super high hopes. Still it's only 150 bucks.
@Cainhunpi
Specs:
http://www.augenus.com/indexhome.html/GENTOUCH.html
Product Features
•800x480 color TFT touch panel screen
• CPU: 800 Mhz
• Ram: DDR2 256mb
• Internal Memory: 2GB
• Expansion Slots: SD/MMC card slot up to 16GB
• Wi-Fi Connectivity with Full Web Browsing Capability
• Supports Ebook Formats: Text, PDF, E-PUB, HTML
• Supports Media Formats: MP3, WMA, FLAC, AAC
• Supports most popular E-Book formats
• Picture Viewer in JPEG, BMP
• Video Player
• Rechargeable Lithium Battery
• Carrying case included
Accessories Included
• Leather Carrying Case
• USB Cable (for data transfers only)
• UL Certified AC Adapter
...hoping for Froyo somehow for Flash...
@zepfloyd (thanks for the link)
AUGEN Website: "Where all images need mirror-blurs... I mean, look at those reflected Android feet! Dudes!"(tm)
@zepfloyd
With those specs, a root job and some Setcpu overclocking action, you might just have something. Give it a steady power supply from your car and that could be the in-dash infotainment mod of the year right there.
@zepfloyd That's pretty damn good! What's the battery life on this? $150 isn't too much while one waits for a 1GHZ+ with potential Gingerbread goodness to come out later in the year.
@zepfloyd no gps?
This would be a no brainer if it had a gps. Still might be if I can tether it to my phone.
I have a feeling it's resistive and not capacitive touch. Anyone know for sure?
@Cainhunpi
KMart still exists?
@zepfloyd
I swear to god I will need to chain myself in this house to not get it. Though I will need to spend more $ on a sd card and its will probobly battery suck. Though for $150 this is an awesome deal.
@tad604
My bad there, didn't see the lack of gps. Infotainment, strike one.
@Cainhunpi Maybe I'll grab one for development. I wonder if the Skyhook Wireless API would work for this for location aware apps!?
@zepfloyd
The only thing that puzzles me though is how did they get it to have access to the Android Marketplace? I thought tablets were blocked out, example: Archos devices.... ?
I'd really like to see a video of it in action. Sounds like a nice to device especially for $150 and seeing as how I haven't pulled the trigger yet on an iPad.
@Plazmic Flame I'm 90 percent sure I recently read google is allowing tablets to have it now
@Androidsugly
Why so harsh newb? You're acting as if I did something to your mom.
If you go look back at previous tablets Android tablets and other MIDs, you would see they don't have access to the Marketplace. Get a clue before you decide to go all ape-shit.
@Cainhunpi Seriously...I have no idea where a kmart in my area is...but I will find one for this. A strange place to sell an Android tablet.
@zepfloyd
Android 3.0 requires at least 1Ghz. Guess I won't be getting this. Good deal though still. What is a "Kmart"?
@Slick
That's the first thing I thought about, too. I am always looking for good 7" tablets for this purpose.
The only things I am concerned about are the following (and seem to extend to many tablets):
1) RAM. It may need more.
2) Audio output quality. Obviously, we can't expect much here, but I need very high quality audio output to go to the amplifier. Also, I need a line out, and not just a headphone out.
3) How flexible are these Android tablets with USB devices? Obviously i cannot expect as full comptability as one would get with say, Windows. However, I would really like to hook up an external USB GPS antenna for fast acquisition and excellent GPS performance on there. However, for someone who is happy using it just for infotainment and not for GPS, it could work. For me, though, I want to move away from my (rather old) GPS unit to something in my double din space.
Also, with a regular computer that has an antenna connection for the wifi, I can hook up a high gain antenna and use it for much better range within my vehicle. However, I don't think it's possible with most tablets like this.
@GeneralThade Yea, and they merged with Sears a few years ago
@Cainhunpi
I'm selling my iPad and getting 3 of these instead.
Sorry Mr Jobs, you blew it!
@Cainhunpi
What is that little circle on the product at their site? Is that FRONT FACING CAMERA? But it's not listed on the specs =|
@Plazmic Flame
That's android looks hacked / Microsoft owns, etc. FanBoi drivel. Downrank him/It.
@zolointo If your website doesn't have mirror-blurs what does it have?
@zepfloyd I bet it's VIA 800mhz.. which is UBER SLOWNESS but cheap
@GeneralThade
We still have one, although after Wal-mart set up shop next right next door to them our Kmart's customer base has been reduced to the hobos that panhandle in the Wal-mart parking lot.
@Cainhunpi
2GB storage? They won't sell many if any!
@zepfloyd 800HMz?! wow for the price this thing looks very solid even with its lack of ram. If anything this could just be a souped up E-reader. but after you add in the android market and a real browser this thing starts to look like a steal!
@Scrubs - devices with comparable specs can easly be purchased on ebay. This sounds like one of those ipad knocks with Android. Save your ethusiasm and get another M.I.C.gadget now.
@Zodiac
2 GB internal, which is plenty if you are mainly interested in apps.
Spending a few more dollars and pick up an SD card, there goes your media. What was the problem again?
@Cainhunpi - where my gps? how do I find the walmart if no gps in here?
@Cainhunpi Yea it sounds a little cheap, it would be awesome to see one with a nice 7" screen, 1Ghz processor, 512mb of RAM, and Froyo. If somehow that could cost $200 it would be amazing...
But anyway, I look forward to a review on this.
@zepfloyd That ain't bad at all.
I wonder if I will be able to run that new GUI Android development tool with it....
@Plazmic Flame. Well stated
@1mc I wasn't aware that VIA made any ARM chips... What are you suggesting is in it?
@whatpoint77
actually, they bought sears
@zebeste That is horrible. Horrible because it's the same way here and I won't go back there. This tablet might give me a reason though.
@zepfloyd Pretty sure this is the processor it has in it:
http://www.ingenic.cn/eng/productServ/AppPro/JZ4755/pfCustomPage.aspx
@zepfloyd what is the differece with Gpad G10??
This is relevant to my interests.
@CRA1G
This is more relevant to my pocketbook - I'm a cheap bastard.
@CRA1G Let the stampede to KMART commence!
@CRA1G
Simple math for the Fanboys
3 of these for the price of one ipad...i can leave one in my backpack for school, one in the living room, and one in the restroom for those...longer downloads...if ya know what i mean
@Fizzy But I would still rather the iPad.
@rmbrown09 "But i still rather the iPad" Translation - "I still rather be raped by Steve Jobs for 500 bucks then support an open OS."
@rmbrown09 meant to say "@Fizzy But I would still rather [poop on] the iPad."
@CRA1G
you're doing it wrong.
the iPad is a wonderful device...
for me to poop on
@Fizzy
A lot of mature posters I see. Considering this thing is selling at about 1/2 the cost it takes to make an ipad, I'm sure something has got to give.
I'm not saying that this is a bad product but you usually get what you pay for. For one you haven't even seen it run. Its screen could be the most unresponsive piece of crap you've ever seen and the battery could lasts a 1/2 hour. We already know it won't be upgradable to Android 3 because of the lack of 1ghz and thats suppose to be Android's tablet OS. So if you are looking for something cheap that is going to last you short term, this sounds like a good product but don't be an a$$ when somebody says they like the ipad better. They are in two different leagues.
@Altivec
Sorry to burst your bubble, but with the support of XDA, which I'm sure this will have, this thing won't become obsolete that quick!
@Teerim
X
D
A
TO THE RESCUE! -plays Thunderbirds theme song-
[ XDA ] THE TOMORROW ANDROID OF HEROES!
X
D
A
TO THE RESCUE! -plays Thunderbirds theme song-
[ XDA ] THE TOMORROW ANDROID OF HEROES!
@Teerim
Oh you're not bursting my bubble. I am just trying to keep it real before one of you guys make someone buy something by mistake.
If you have to hope that their will be a hack to put 3.0 on an underspeced machine, then its not equivalent to an ipad. Their is a reason google says that 3.0 requires 1Ghz and their is a reason why 3.0 is what they say is a minimum for tablets.
Again, I'm not saying that this is a bad product. I just don't want someone that played with an ipad believing that they are going to get the same experience with this. With all the F-yah dude, I can get 3 of them for the same price, someone might actually start to believe it.
@Altivec Google never said that was a requirement. A rumour which was denied.