eFun announces $300 Nextbook Premium 8 Android tablet

The Nextbooks 1 through 7 may not have caused much of a ripple in the Android tablet market, but eFun is keeping at it, and has now rolled out its new Nextbook Premium 8 model. There's still no Honeycomb to be found on this one (just Android 2.3), but you do get a slightly larger 8-inch capacitive screen, as well as a Rockchip RK2918 processor, 4GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera -- plus Kobo's eBook Store app preloaded (though there's no mention of Android Market). Unfortunately, in a season when you can get a Kindle Fire or Lenovo IdeaPad A1 for $200, this one will set you back a comparatively hefty $300 -- then again, it does have "Premium" in its name. Press release is after the break.

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E FUN Introduces the Next Model in Its Premium Line of Android 2.3 Nextbook Tablets for the Holidays

The Nextbook Premium 8 Features Four Preloaded Software Items, a Front Facing Camera and Mini USB Port

WEST COVINA, CA, Oct 05, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- E FUN, a consumer electronics designer and manufacturer of fun, easy-to-use lifestyle products, announced that the next model in its line of Premium Android 2.3 Nextbooks, the Nextbook 8, is available for the holidays. The Nextbook Premium 8, with an 8" color TFT capacitive multi touch screen, includes built-in Wi-Fi, an e-reader, Kobo eBook Store app, SlideME application manager, OfficeSuite Viewer and ASTRO File Manager.

"The next model in our Premium line is sleeker, faster and is the perfect holiday gift for consumers on-the-go," said Jason Liszewski, managing director and vice president of sales for E FUN. "With the holiday season quickly approaching, give your loved one the tablet that does it all. Consumers of all ages will love the built-in Wi-Fi and easy-to-use touch screen. At any time they can video chat, read their favorite book, research on the Internet, view and email files, download applications, view photos, watch videos, or listen to music."

The Nextbook Premium 8 with Rockchips RK2918 (CPU) is Flash 10.1 certified and features Google's powerful Android 2.3 operating system that is fully upgradable with over the air (OTA) update capabilities. It is the first model in the Premium line to include a 2.0 Megapixel front facing camera for video calls. The Nextbook 8 also features 4GB of built-in flash memory, a micro SD card slot to increase storage capacity up to 16 GB, a mini USB port, built-in speakers and 4-way G-sensor. It supports eight video file types, including 1080p for high-definition video watching.

With a four-button touch menu and capacitive multi touch screen, the Nextbook Premium 8's additional built-in features include a notepad, calendar, alarm clock, assorted games and other useful, fun apps. Thousands of third-party apps are also compatible.

Nextbook Premium 8 Preloaded Software Includes:

-- Kobo eBook Store App: Users can download their favorite titles from
the comfort of their own home or choose from one of the 25 preloaded
eBooks. The Store has a selection of nearly two million titles,
including New York Times Bestsellers, award winners, classics and
more.

-- SlideME application manager: Eases app downloading and purchasing with
nearly 3000 Android applications, some of which may not be listed in
similar Android app sites.

-- OfficeSuite Viewer: Gives users access to important documents and
presentations on the go. It is the most complete document viewer
application for Android devices, allowing users to open native DOC,
DOCX, TXT, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX and PDF files and
attachments.

-- ASTRO File Manager: Makes it easy for users to copy, move, delete and
rename files on their SD card, send files as attachments to emails,
browse and create compressed files such as Zip and Tar files, backup
and restore applications, manage running applications, and much more.

Accessories include an AC adapter, USB cable, a protective pouch and manual along with an optional carrying case that is sold separately.

The E FUN Nextbook Premium 8 tablet computer has an MSRP of $299.99 and is available at online retailers beginning October 7.

About E FUN As its name implies, E FUN is a designer and manufacturer of fun, lifestyle e-products that are easily accessible. While appreciated by techies, E FUN products are primarily designed for consumers who desire the latest technological products, but are more concerned with what they do, not how they do it. E FUN's ongoing product innovation focuses on making electronics and computing more fun! Initial product offerings from E FUN include the APEN digital pen and Nextbook Android tablets. E FUN is headquartered in West Covina, California.

For additional information regarding E FUN's brands, please visit APEN at www.apenusa.com ; and Nextbook at www.nextbookusa.com

All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies. Copyright 2011 E FUN. All rights reserved.